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[topaz]

to those of you who have done the backpacking thing:

here's my pack list. is there anything i really should not be leaving out? i'm going to be all over western europe, basically, so if i really need to i can buy things, but i'll be alone so i'm trying to keep it light.

Comments

[javalaidi]

as gross as this may sound: pepto bismol-- great for dealing with unhappy stomachs if you encounter interesting food. also, if you think you'll want to leave anything valuable back at the hostel (say you're going to a concert and don't want to bring your camera and passport) I'd bring a combo lock becasue they often have lockers. if you plan on plugging anything in to an electrical socket (I saw camera cord?) I'd bring an adaptor-- I might have one if you need it and are in the area. Also, make sure your walking shoes are waterproof in case it rains-- soggy feet are a bummer. remember stuff for the plan and for when you're travelling such as books-- often hostels will have book shelves where you can pick a book and leave one in it's place.

a hint in case you're caught in the rain with your bag-- if you line your bag with a super-heavy-duty trash bag (think compost bag) you can waterproof what's inside-- really great if you have cameras and all of your clothes there. So maybe bring a heavy duty bag with you so you don't have to buy an entire box of them abroad. And maybe a nalgene with chlorine drops to purify water in case you get thirsty-- that way you can drink tap and not pay for bottled water.

That's stuff that i used while in africa and camping outdoors (see: waterproofing). Trust me-- wet clothes, even when you're in a hostel suck. You can't dry everything you own at once without getting naked :)

have fun!!!

[topaz]

hm. do you think food will be a problem in europe? i was pretty lucky about that when i was in perú - i think everyone but me got sick - so i'm kind of cocky now, haha.

ohhh good call on the lock. a lot of the hostels i've looked at do advertise that they have hostels but it didn't occur to me that i should bring a lock too.

ohhh that's right, i totally forgot about that! i was remembering that my camera cord itself can adapt the voltage, but i'd forgotten that the plugs are different there (they're the same as here in perú). i think i have adaptors? but if i can't find them, i probably will take you up on that. thanks!

good call on the trash bag. my bag came with a cover that's supposedly waterproof, but i should definitely test that before i go.

this is awesome advice, thanks so much :)

btw i'm sorry i didn't see you when you were down here - i wrote papers from noon on sunday to 10a monday, then had finals at 2p and 7p. but hopefully we can catch up before i leave for europe, or else i'll see you in july/aug. :)