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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

[jude]

you might consider a little blow-up pillow? when i went camping last weekend i slept SO much better with a decent pillow, and hostels can be iffy in this regard.
likewise, warm pajamas are essential, or at least clothes that can be layered to act as pajamas.

i'd definitely go with the ISIC card, especially if you're going alone. it's a good emergency network/calling card/what have you, and the discounts aren't just for clothes -- museums, castles, and other Places of Interest often have student discount rates and will take the card.

have you checked with mom about relevant insurance information? i had German student insurance when i was abroad, so i didn't have to worry about it, but i don't know if there's something you have to do -- tell the company or something? -- to minimize hassles if something does happen.

[topaz]

how warm am i going to need to be, going in the summer? is that going to be a big problem..?

[jude]

only at night, really, and most noticeably in places like Germany, which are on a similar latitude to Maine. Blankets, like pillows, vary in quality by hostel.

i don't remember your exact itinerary, so may i suggest the BBC world weather guide which has average temperatures for various countries and cities?

[topaz]

thanks. :)

[xhuxus]

camera and notebook & pens are the first things i would list too.

also, as cliche as it sounds now, i've actually found duct tape extremely handy on the road, so if you have room for a small roll you might want to consider it.

[topaz]

mm, good call.

btw, i'm really sorry i haven't seen you in so long. i've been kind of a bad friend this semester (to people in general, not you specifically). hopefully i will remedy that soon!

[smashingpopcorn]

ps what's an ISIC card?

[topaz]

http://www.isic.org/sisp/index.htm

[herbie]

I had an ISIC - it's not a bad card, although I think I used it more frequently for discounts when I got back to the states than when I was abroad - most places I was at that gave student discounts were just as happy to accept my UVA ID as my ISIC. On the other hand, it cost what, $20? Take one trip on Amtrak and it pays for itself.

[topaz]

*nods* good call. when i was in Boston i had Student Advantage, which is similar, so i used that for amtrak - didn't realize ISIC worked for that too.

[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

[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. :)