Hello all,

I leave Friday for my RTW trip. It'll be Eastern Europe, Southern Africa, SE Asia, AUS/NZ, and the south of South America from then on. I'm very petite and have a small bag to match that (32L) so I need help to cut my list down some more. I've been lurking here for a while so I have a pretty good idea of what I should bring along, but direct help would be appreciated. Thank you!

Clothes:

• Travel dress
  
• Athletic shorts
  
• 2 pairs Pants (one convertible)
  
• Leggings
  
• Long-sleeve button-up shirt
  
• Sleeveless button-up shirt
  
• 2 T-shirts
  
• Zip-up micro fleece
  
• 3 pairs socks
  
• 5 pairs underwear
  
• 2 sports bras
  
• Sarong
  
• Trainers
  
• Sport sandals
  
• Flip flops
  
• Swim suit

Toiletries: (all liquids listed here are less than 3 ounces)

• Toothbrush + toothpaste
  
• Shampoo + conditioner
  
• Floss
  
• Sunscreen
  
• Bug spray
  
• Hand sanitizing wipes
  
• Tweezers, nail clippers
  
• Lip balm
  
• Feminine products
  
• Deodorant
  
• Soap + razor
  
• Comb
  
• Vitamins
  
• Hair ties
  
• Hand lotion

Other Things:

• Small first aid kit (w/ malaria meds, immodium, etc)
  
• Bandanna
  
• Zip-loc bags (only one in use, others as needed)
  
• Earplugs + sleeping mask
  
• Compass
  
• Journal + pens + tape
  
• Travel towel
  
• Luggage lock
  
• Rubber door stop
  
• Laundry soap + line + sink stop
  
• Headlamp
  
• Sewing kit
  
• Small calculator
  
• Sunglasses
  
• Micro umbrella
  
• Spork
  
• Collapsible backpack (daypack)

Electronics:

• iPod + charger
  
• Camera + charger
  
• Extra battery + memory card for camera
  
• 2G Flashdrive
  
• Current converter for chargers
  
• Photo-transfer device

That's about it. Thanks!

I would recoment more socks, for some reason I seem to go through them very quickly. Also, bring more flash drives, they seem to be quite expensive in europe.

If your going during winter ditch the sun screan, pick it up on the way. Also, the button up shirts could prob go. Try out a diva cup rather than a bunch of tampons.

But really, you wont know what you need until you get on the road. What is in your pack isnt just your clothing, its your make me feel good bag. After 6 months I've found that I need to feel like a girl and I have replaced most of my travel geared clothing with things I feel cute in. They wear out faster, but I dont care, I need to feel like a girl. Take what you think you need, just be prepared for a total reassesment after a couple of months.

Thanks for the help! I tried the diva cup and it was completely not for me, so tampons it is (although I like cities, so I'm not taking a lot and can re-stock as needed). I'll definitely add another pair of socks to my stash, too. I'm sure I'll be switching things out as I go, but I think this will get me started.

I wouldnt stress too much about the packing thing. Bring what you think you need but be willing to discard/buy on the way. You prob. wont know the perfect packing list until you come home!

You can never have enough medications. Every time I head out I beat myself up for forgetting the most obvious pain relievers. I'll bring packets of Theraflu and Pepto but always leave the Tylonal at home. Remember the basics!
Also bring good antibacterial wipes and dressings. Nothing like a good infection to slow you down. I made this mistake in Belize and it left my leg double it's normal size.
Had I just dressed the wound properly from the beginning it would have probably been fine.

---also always good to research international brands for antibiotics. Pharmacies in these areas are usually pretty well stocked with basics but you might not know what to ask for.
Educate yourself in what antibiotics in these areas cure things like dysentery or e.coli, etc. Oh and...erm...bring your own yeast infection medication. One of my friends I went to Central America with almost killed herself in the middle of the jungle going crazy from this.

Other then that you seem quite prepared.
Happy trails!

A few suggestions:

1. I'm a male, and a pretty un-fussy one fashion wise. But As Kathryn M suggested, a lot of my female traveller friends have told me that they end up feeling like they focussed their packing too much on practicality and not enough on feeling/looking good/pretty.

2. Superglue is wonderful. You can use it to fix an amazing variety of things. On various trips I've used it to fix: my boots, my camera, my pants, my finger.

3. I'd recommend picking up some flagyl/tinidazole/metronidazole, as well as some ciprofloxacin whenever you get to somewhere that they're available sans prescripition. I've acquired giardia three or four times and nasty bacterial stomach infections a couple more, and its definitely worth having these in your med-kit.

Hope these suggestions help

I also have a different perspective on packing now since I have a lot more travel under my belt. It seems that whenever I am traveling and moving moving moving about, I like the practical boring clothes - well don't mind them or wearing the same thing over and over. BUT, when I stop somewhere for a bit, I get more conscious of it and since Central Asia I really really really bulked up on cuter stuff. If that's not possible, I found that even getting like a cool necklace, rings, and other accessories made me feel better.

just realized you probably already left, but that's ok since your list looks pretty good. happy travels! ;-)

I don't think you need a spork. Utensils are provided everywhere. Your spork may not be allowed on the plane depending on the airline.

what is the door stop for? anyone?

quote:

Originally posted by stouds:
what is the door stop for? anyone?

I've heard them used to basically lock yourself in your private dorm room. You just place the doorstop on the inside of the closed door to at least slow down anyone who might want to sneak into your room while you're asleep. I've never done it and not sure it would be worth carrying around but to each their own.

Thanks, that is what I figured. Seems over the top to me, especially when she is already using a cable lock. I am a light sleeper, so I don't think anyone is stealing my bag with me in the room, but I probably just jinxed myself.

I disagree. I have a plastic spoon knife and fork set that are always life savors when I have my own room or a hostel without a kitchen.

I actually am in Europe already, have been here for a week and a half now. Had to leave behind some of the stuff I planned on taking because I couldn't fit it all into my 32L bag, although I can't be mad about it because it's sooo little and most people don't even realize I'm backpacking or on a RTW trip (less than 10 kilos, whoo!). Most ask me if I'm in Europe for a week or two, so we're good. It's not massive like other people's backpacks are and everytime I see someone lugging one around I smile a bit.

The extra socks went over well and I cheated and brought more underwear because I like to go as long as possible without washing clothes. Left the door stop behind but have used the spork. Didn't mention that I'm a vegetarian (well, until I leave Europe; most likely will stay one until it's no longer practical) so it has come in handy for cheese and the like. Don't worry about my med kit, my doctor sister packed it, so it's well equipped. I am sad about the sleeveless shirt as I haven't worn it yet (it's cold in northern Europe already) and another microfibre t-shirt seems like it would've been more practical. Maybe as I get to hotter climes I'll use it, if it's still untouched after Egypt there'll be an evaluation. My travel dress has actually helped me to go out already. It's a legitimately cute piece of clothing and I wore it a number of times before I left, getting compliments along the way. It's essentially a little black dress so it works well to keep me feeling like a girl and not like a constant traveller. I was planning on jewelry along the way, so that'll probably help too.

Thanks y'all for the advice! I appreciate it!