BootsnAll Travel Community

I'm currently a month into my year-long trip (see here) and I actually think about this board a lot. Folks here were so helpful and the advice so useful that I would be wrong not to give back and share my experiences. When I'm back I look forward to coming back and contributing more to these forums.

For the time being though, I just wanted to share what, of all the advice I collected before I left, what items or preparations have been extremely useful so far. This should probably be an add-on to an existing thread somewhere but to be honest the internet here is slow and I also don't have much time before I have to leave so I'm just starting a new thread.

Here's what has been surprisingly useful that I didn't necessarily think would be:
1) Compass. Wow. I really didn't think I would make a lot of use of this, but it saved me so many times. Oftentimes in a new place you just need to know which general direction to head in so this was key. Surprisingly it was also helpful in new subways when you're not quite sure which line you need to get on but you do know which direction you want to head in.
2) Hand sanitizer. I never used this much at home but some days when you're riding a lot of public transportation or just want to FEEL clean it does the trick.
3) Tiger balm. Great for putting under the nose not only to block out unpleasant smells but for me personally the smell also helped me get to sleep rather quickly.
4) Gold Bond foot powder. Perfect for when you feel your feet beginning to chafe or just for when your feet start to inevitably stink.
5) Eagle Creek Pack-It bags. I at first thought these were more marketing gimmick than anything else but they proved to be exactly how I wanted to organize my gear. I actually shudder to think what my pack would look like inside without them.
6) Plastic zip-lock bags. For trash, food, putting your camera in near a waterfall...these were great.
7) Earplugs and eyeshades. joesearplugs.com are what it's all about folks...and together with the eyeshades I never had any trouble falling asleep in a hostel, no matter how annoying the dorm-mate.

Anyway, I probably wouldn't have thought of most of these if it wasn't for these boards so again I'm really happy to have come across Bootsnall. I direct people here all the time. Thanks again!

-Vince

Thanks so much for your thoughts, Vince!

As a fella about to go on an RTW in, lessee... 4 days (!), this is exactly the kind of thing I love to see as I'm finalizing my pack list.

Hope you're having a blast, and best wishes from BnA.

-Jake