Axing time. After all the suggestions from folks and my own “editing” for what I'm going to bring to Europe, it's time for the new and – hopefully – improved packing list:
Categories of stuff
Clothes
Gear
Travel & Destination Info
Money & Documents
On the Train/In the Hostel
Clothes
Footwear
hiking boots
Tevas
Outerwear
rain jacket (this could be expendable, and I’ll just bring my light overcoat… will see when I pack)
lightweight overcoat
fleece
BnA cap
sunglasses
thermal cap?
Socks & Undies
5 pair socks (Chris Albon suggested 4 – but if 5 doesn’t take up much more room, I may just do the extra pair. Will be Teva’ing some outside, but I’m there mostly in the cooler months so probably not as much)
5 pair underwear
Shirts & Trousers
black button-down shirt
2 long-sleeve t-shirts (1 blue, 1 brown)
3-4 t-shirts (1-2 BootsnAll white tees, 1-2 gray/blue tees)
1 thermal undershirt (could be expendable – it’s not like I’m there in the dead of winter!)
3 pair trousers (2 convertible; black/beige; 1 not, green)
Other
silver and black tie
swim trunks
pajama/layering pants (could still be expendable. I’m just not sure they’d be useful enough to warrant. Which in that case means I should ditch ’em)
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Gear
money belt
string
rucksack with daypack
baggies/plastic bags (for laundry, liquid containers, etc.)
lighter
sewing kit
watch
duct tape
condoms
LED headlamp
Tech
Zula (the AlphaSmart 3000)
digital camera
mini CD player, radio?
CD case & discs
cleaning tissues and lens cleaner for digital camera
hardbound mead journal
wee notebook for back pocket
pens, pencils, erasers, paper
envelopes (extra business-size ones for Aoife)
Toiletries
(some to get started, can get more on the way)
battery shaver
nail clippers
safety pins
deodorant
hair goo
shampoo & conditioner
bar soap (washing & laundry), store in baggie
toothbrush & toothpaste
earplugs
Medical/First-Aid
couple of band-aids (have some at home, might as well chuck a few in)
anti-shite drugs, aspirin (I’d just get this over there, no point hauling it)
Personal Stuff
Tao Te Ching
Benchmade folding knife?
pictures and love letters (copies) from my fiancé
friends, family, home: family photos, postcards of Portland
Swiss Army knife
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Travel & Destination Info
Eurail and Britrail maps (come with passes)
timetable (comes with passes)
name, phone numbers and addresses
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Money & Documents
originals & copies of tickets, passes, passport
cash (US $20s)
credit card (1 for daily use, 1 tucked in money belt for emergencies)
debit card
phone numbers & websites for banks in case of emergency
traveler’s cheques (US$100)
driver’s license
scan passport and plane ticket, email it to myself
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On the Train/In the Hostel
(some of this I wouldn’t necessarily be packing when leaving from the States, but are things that I want to remember to have on the train or in the hostel – a reminder)
Dreamsack (sleep sheet)
universal sink plug
washrag
chamois (as a towel?)
SnacPac
alarm clock
deck of cards
cigarettes
fruit
corkscrew
wine
bread
cheese
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From this list, I can go ahead and pack. How heavy is my pack after? How much room is left? How well do things like Zula and such fit into my daypack? After doing this pack – and hopefully I can do some before and after photos – it’s time for the “final editing”. It’ll be much easier to chuck out what I really don’t need to bring, once I know what it feels like on my back.
The Packing List Saga
1. First draft of packing list
2. Feedback & Thoughts on first draft of Europe packing list
3. Second draft of packing list
4. Pack it up! – Coming Soon…