Every journey begins with packing. Those who are experienced can do it in an hour, and maybe even have their special traveler’s set ready in the case they find last minute travel deals. And what about a college student who has just discovered an excellent opportunity to travel at low cost and is getting ready for the first journey?
Do it in advance
Figure out what awaits you at the destination point:
- read the weather forecast;
- think of the possible mosquitos;
- read a little about the local culture;
- think of your «favorite» illnesses or health problems;
Correspondingly, choose the clothes, consider taking insecticide and sunscreen, prepare first aid kit with all the necessary medications. If you travel for the first time, buy or land appropriate bag, rucksack or suitcase of good quality. One of the worst things is when your backpack’s strap is broken at the start of your climbing the mountain or walking into the forest. Try to make it just ONE bag. The exception is an airport where you need separate hand luggage containing most essential things in case your bag gets lost or delayed. Maybe, you need to buy or to land other items, so don’t put it off too long.
Make a list
You can write down your own checklist of necessary things and cross out what you have packed, or download a ready-made list. There are also apps for travelers which offer packing lists. For example, here you can create customized list of what you need to do and to pack for your journey.
Organize
Sometimes, it seems that the easiest way to fit everything in is just to squeeze your clothes into the bag or rucksack tightly and stick the toiletry and shoes into the gaps. There was a time when I was packing this way. Until one day on the customs they wanted to check my baggage and I was just in despair facing the need to pack everything back afterward. The space and your time during the journey can be organized much better.
The best way to pack a suitcase is to pack outside: collect items on your list and place them somewhere to decide what you really need. Put heavy and odd-shaped items first. Use various traveler’s kits if you have a budget for them.
Barbie-size
Take cosmetics in small bottles or contact lenses containers. You surely needn’t a 30-oz bottle of shampoo in your two-week trip. By the way, you can find deodorant or toothpaste in the shops, if you ran short of it – in Europe and the USA you can most probably buy your favorite brand. Though, when I was in Japan it was quite difficult to find out even what is food and what can be toiletry in local shops, not to mention recognizing after shave balm. Put the toiletry into zipper plastic bag to organize it and to keep the rest of luggage safe in case of a leak. A transparent bag allows to get out a necessary bottle without digging in it.
Balance your travel needs and the baggage weight
There are two main types of travelers: those who try to be prepared for everything and suffer from heavy bags and those, who pack light and enjoy walking much more but often ask the fist ones about items. You are not in the disc world of Terry Pratchett, where the Luggage follows his master on hundred of little legs and had additional dimensions for all the souvenirs he buys. You have to make out, how to balance these two extremes.
Pack the clothes effectively
Don’t fold your clothes – roll it and pack to compression bags or packing tubes. Put small items like socks, neckerchief or charger wires into your shoes. It is practical to have two tops for each of bottom clothing and to choose neutral colors. Pack all the clothes inside out. Wear your bulkiest clothes on the train or on the plane to avoid stuffing them into the bag, and put your heaviest shoes on.
Map, Travel Guide, Phrasebook
Obviously, you can use them online or download on your smartphone / tablet. Though, consider that it could be not so easy to get your gadget charged on the road or at the destination point, and you might not be able to connect to the Internet. So make photocopies of the pages of the travel guide you may need and buy an old-fashioned map just in case.
You shouldn’t pack books to get your homework done. If the study interferes with a trip, I entrust specialists to do my essay for me. I think, that the experience I get while traveling is more precious than the book knowledge.
