In My Pack

It is FINALLY that time again! After a record length of stay in the States, I am gathering up my backpack and travel gear with my sights set on the new and exciting destination of Tanzania, Africa! This last week had me hustling about, anxiously crossing things off my ToDo list and fitting in as much as possible. I've taught my last dance class (although I am hoping to find a way to keep dancing without looking too odd spinning and hopping around by myself - I think the kids are going to have to learn some of my songs this summer ;), I've attended my last cake decorating class (yes, getting in a little more domesticity before I head out into the wilds :), fit in a couple dental appointments, a girls-day-out replete with pedicures, one last trip to OR (thanks again to Dan and Nikki for picking me up!), one more 13.25 mile run and wrapped up several little projects that I've been working on. Phew! It's been busy, but productive and I'm SO ready for this next adventure!

Quite often, I get asked about the travel items that I can't leave home without. I've lived out of a backpack or suitcase more in the past 6 years than I have out of a closet (which is why I still get such pleasure from hanging my clothes up :). With that, I have definitely refined my packing skills and have a list of must-haves. My recommendations for others usually depend on the type of trip, whether long (more than 4weeks) or short, domestic or abroad and how much you will be moving/traveling from a base. Here is a general breakdown from my experience.

Assuming you are planning a backpacking trip abroad, the first things I would do are:

• Call your bank and let them know where you will be traveling and for how long so that they aren't surprised and incoveniently put a hold on your credit and/or debit cards.
• Bring crisp US Dollars that are in the best of condition. I found places, especially in S. America were extremely picky about accepting used bills and one even brought out a magnifying glass to show me that there was indeed a microscopic rip!
• Check in advance how much entry visas will be, if there is a difference by land or by air and if there is an airport exit fee.
• I usually like to bring at least a little local currency with me. It usually takes about a week to order the bills from your bank. This will help you avoid the higher exchange rates at airports, you don't have to search for an ATM right away and allows you to hop right in a cab or buy a snack when you arrive.
• Print copies of your passport, drivers license and any vaccination records that may be required to enter the country. Also have a couple extra passport sized photos handy for entry visas.

Certain things are must-haves for any trip:

• Music - My ipod with playlists and podcasts is something I would really hate to be without
• Journal - I have kept one since I began college and it has proved indispensible in not only recording my day to day thoughts, details of my adventures but also extremely cathartic when I need to work through something - especially when traveling alone. I also keep a tiny notebook with me (one that will fit in a pocket or camera case etc so that it is always with me), a new one for each trip, where I jot down everything that I learn during the day. New words when I am learning a new language or quote that I want to remember, important phone numbers and addresses, doodles, random ideas etc and they become a supplement to my official journal.
• Water bottle - I've mentioned this before, but I have been a Nalgene fan for many many years, have always had one by my side and this year, I'm making the switch to a platypus foldable bottle. Either way, it has to be something BPA free and ultra-durable.
• Camera - My Nikon D5000 is fantastic and I am looking forward to capturing some amazing wildlife in Africa!
• External Harddrive - I only use one memory card (although a have another one or two for backup) and routinely transfer the pics from my card to the drive.
• Reading Material - Essential for long bus rides and flights.
• Ziploc Bags - ALWAYS have some with you. I can't say how many times that I've needed a plastic bag to protect something, hold broken pieces, contain something wet, pick up something dirty or even when you're sick... enough said ;)
  

Some of my favorite things for long-term travel:

• A good headlamp and pocket light - One of my favorite toys is my Petzl Zipka Plus Headlamp which has a retractable cord in lieu of the headband so it can be worn around your wrist or water bottle or tent flap etc. I also have a tiny led light (about 3 inches long, 1 inch wide and a quarter inch thick), that I always keep with me. It comes in handy at night searching for something you dropped or when the power goes out unexpectedly - more often you would think!
• A first aid kit - Stock with all the basics as well as traveler's diarrhea meds. I have been pretty lucky so far (knock on wood) in not having to use these myself but have given some to friends that had severe attacks and I could swear their internal organs had been liquified!
• Flip flops - A durable pair that is easy to clean and has good tread so you aren't slipping on wet roads. I highly recommend Havaianas - they offer many different styles, but they also last forever and I've definitely put them to the test!
• A quick dry towel - Absolutely necessary when you want to shower before a long journey, but the last thing you want to do is pack away something wet! Trust me!
• Febreze - Speaking of smelly backpacks, a little travel size bottle of febreze works wonders for not only road-weary clothing, but also musty rooms, ancient beds, trusty hikers/runners and more! I also bring along a Tide-to-go stain remover pen because I am not often in a place where I can wash things right away.
• Stickers - Personally, I am adamantly against giving children money when I travel. Unless they are actually providing a desired service (not offering to shine my flipflops), I do not like the induction of children into the world of begging and have seen too many beautiful, intelligent children used by greedy, selfish adults. That being said, I adore making friends with random children and listening to their stories. If I take their photo, then I try to find a one-hour print shop to make them a copy, which for them is often more valuable than any spare change you may have and if not, then I always carry stickers with me to share with those kids that I have connected with. Plus they are small and easy to carry!

Additional goodies that I like to travel with:

• Passport cover - To protect it from damage, but also to keep my country of origin from being instantly recognized.
• Fake/old debit cards - This one is not one that I use, but think it is a great idea nevertheless. I have read that in case you are being mugged (again, knock on wood, I have not been), you can carry expired cards in your wallet and handing them over apeases the thief.
• A water purifier - Traveling around India I was forced to purchase far too many bottles of water and felt terrible about the ammount of plastic I was adding to their already fragile environment. Along came a recommendation from a friend for the Steripen, a device that uses UV light to purify drinking water and I love it! It takes 1-2 minutes and leaves no aftertaste like tablets or iodine - genius.
• A shawl/sarong - I have come to carry one with me since India because they just come in so handy! You can use it for a wrap or scarf when you are cold, a towel if you've lost your quick-dry, a clean surface cover, a pouch to carry things in, bunch it up and use it for a pillow, even as an emergency sling... so many uses!
• Netbook - Now, this is a new addition to my travel arsenal. They began popping up everywhere on the S. American circuit and where wifi was fairly common in hostels and cafes and often free, I would be stuck to a pc paying per hour. It has also been a great way to transfer photos from my camera to my hard drive. I highly recommend the Toshiba NB205 that has an incredible battery life and a comfortable keyboard. With these electronic gadgets however, you have to remember to bring adaptors for each region that you will be traveling to (or better yet, a universal adaptor set). I also have an extra power source for my ipod that runs off of rechargable batteries and have been considering investing in a Solio, a solar powered charging device.
• A ball - An odd addition, I've just found it's nice to have when I'm bored, waiting for transport or run into a group of kids, so I bring a little bouncy handball along.
• Postcards of your hometown - They make good thank you cards and kids in small villages are facinated by the big buildings. I also bring a couple pictures of my family and friends for myself as well as sharing stories.
• Catchphrase - This has been one of my favorite games for nearly a decade and the newer electronic version is small and easy to carry. Again, this is not at all a necessity, but when I am working with teens, or have a group of fellow travelers gathered, this game has never failed to induce fits of laughter (as long as they speak english)!
• A Treat - Last, but most definitely not least, I have found that I like to bring a couple favorite snack from home for those days when I have just had one too many potatoes or plates of rice. One of my favorite parts of travel is trying out the various world cuisines. However, when I am working and limited to what is being provided, but also when I have been on the road for weeks/months and just yearn for a taste of home, I pull out my rainy-day stash and savor the flavor of a little peanutbutter or M&Ms or jerky or trailmix etc. This really should go under the must-haves for any trip :)

So that's it! My room has had a mountainous topography lately with all of my little piles spread around, but today is the day for cleaning and packing everything up! Tomorrow I will head into Seattle for a red-eye flight to NYC where I have a nights layover then... Off into the wild unknown!