What would you pack?

squinney

The world. It's big and heavy, but I never travel without it.

Oops, sorry, ... my towel. Never leave home without a good towel! Wait, that can't be right, must be from a book or somebody...

Uh, ... Bill Gates' credit card?

No, no, seriously. My girlfriend. Travelling is so much better when... um, you can, um, ... share it.

Wrong answer?! Well, how about a map? Tourbook? Passport? My piano, what?!?

Oh! Oh! You're gonna think I'm joking, but I'm not. I have this stick. It's just a piece of driftwood, a branch about 10 inches long that I've carried around my backpack for years. It's gone everywhere with me. It's ... well, it's from home.




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Don't need much else, ... even at home I'm a tourist.

If cost and space were not a consideration, I would love to take my whole house. I remember reading that some ultra wealthy people have identical clothing, appliances, amenities etc. in all of their homes. In that way you don't have to pack at all, and everything is there, as you want it. Oh well, back to reality!

Once upon a time it woulda been the piano, but, really, there's nothing I miss when I'm traveling. Miss the kitchen in places where the food's really bad, but a campstove takes care of that...

My pets

My kitchen -- and my pets.

Oh...that's two.

Well, I gotta think about it some more.

You need your kitchen and your pets at the same time?

See, this is why I will not buy sausage in New Jersey.

I'm a good Aussie - I always travel with Vegemite! And some photos.

He just smiled and handed me a Vegemite sandwich . . .

The name alone is enough to put me off my feed . . .

Heat, i'm always packin' heat . . .

Terry, I leave behind the comforts of home to experience another culture and country. To mingle with them, see how they live, eat and drink their food, walk their streets, talk with them, and come home with a new friend in a far away place. I just want to take the practical, necessary stuff like cameras, clothes and toiletries. That's enough for me. c.i.

My pillow - I have spent many sleepless nights trying to sleep on one that is 6 inches too thick and/or as hard as a brick.

Something to read, I hate to be trapped without something to read. At my most middleclassist, I demand a booklite with battery, except that I hate those.
So, a small flashlight that works.

It's got to be my own bed! Nothing feels as good when you return home!

But my bed is a very good option. c.i.

my drawing materials and a 16x 20' pad of smooth Bristol. This is essential for me. All the rest, with the exceptiuon of about 3 changes of clothing and soap and dentifrice, can be bought, I even buy really cheap cameras where Im going. I must have lost 10 good cameras in different parts of the world.
Nothing sparks up a conversation (even if the language barrier is sky-high) like someone doing sketching en plein aire.

My crafts. I always need to be doing something with my hands. I'm funny that way.

I agree with the drawing pad, but mine could be smaller. Absolutely must have a notepad and pencils and pens.

My business partner and I go to lunch, we can hardly talk without a pencil or pen and at least a napkin.

I always bring a small tablet and pen with me. You should see my notes on my trip to Peru and Ecuador. If I didn't take notes, I wouldn't remember anything. c.i.

Terry

One of the adventures & joys of travel are leaving the familiar behind & coping without home comforts ....
BUT, having said this, I would definitely take some good reading matter (which I often don't get the chance to indulge in at home ) & if travelling to places where good, clean water is a problem, I've found a boiling/element thingo (bought in Java) a real blessing when in need of a cup of coffee/tea while staying in budget accomodation.