Packing Essentials
The next time you are
packing for a trip, whether it is for an adventure-backpacking trip to the
jungles of Panama or for a weekend in New York, consider our list of “can’t
do without these” items:
-
Expandable clothesline and clothespins
These are handy
after you have hand-washed your clothes in the river or hotel sink.
-
Paperback book
A book will help pass the time on a long plane trip or a wait in a customs
line.
-
Small hotel-size shampoo bottle
Shampoo is actually a mild detergent, handy for washing your hair, of course,
but also for washing your clothes.
-
Travel alarm clock
Don’t depend on wake-up calls or a hotel clock to keep you from an important
meeting time.
-
Small flashlight
You never know when a flashlight will come in handy. Even five-star hotels
have been known to lose power at times. Invaluable for snake spotting at
night in the woods!
-
Zippered plastic bags
These are so handy for storing a number of things: snacks, dirty clothes,
wet clothes, small items that would get “lost” in your bag, like pens, tape,
and your expandable clothesline and clothespins!
-
Guidebook
There are many great guidebooks that range from guides for students on a
shoestring budget to guides on shopping for fine antiques in Italy. Take
advantage of available research to obtain general background knowledge of
your destination.
-
Backpack Backpacks
are versatile, easy to carry, and have enough style variations to appeal
to all ages and sexes. They hold a lot of your essential items!
-
Packing cubes
Packing cubes are zippered nylon bags that are great for organizing your
packed items. You can squeeze the air out of the packed cubes, conserving
space in your bag.
-
Bubble wrap and tape
Keep a few feet of small-sized bubble wrap in your bag for wrapping breakable
souvenirs you pick up along the way.