"A passport, as I'm sure you know, is a document that one shows to government officials whenever one reaches a border between countries, so the officials can learn who you are, where you were born, and how you look when photographed unflatteringly." ~Lemony Snicket
"When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money."Susan Heller
Everyone has their own list of must haves on a trip. I used to come prepared for ANYTHING! I was a walking (lugging) medicine cabinet and had a change of clothes for every day of my trip. Ugh! No more. I learned (finally, by Italy) that dragging around bags of stuff you never even needed was a drain, physically and mentally (keeping track of all that stuff and worrying about theft is a real headache!). None of those strangers on the plane, in shops or on the street would know or care if I wore the same two pairs of slacks the whole trip. For two weeks in Italy I took ONE carry-on. Granted, I needed the generous help of my taller fellow passengers to get it into the overhead bins on occassion, but it had quality wheels and was a breeze to get around with. No check-in bag worries, no ending up at my destination to discover my clothes and the ever-present souvenirs are in another time zone. I also learned that there are druggists everywhere, stocked with the basics of health care should I come down with anything! Besides, it is rather fun to perform the international sign language for what you need and many of the products I've used in foreign countries work so well I wish I could get them in the US! A tip: if you need a Band-Aid for blisters in London (and you will!) they are called "plasters". I have narrowed down my must haves to my old stand-bys: non-Drowsy Dramamine and Tylenol. And gum, if I am flying.
So, here is my very short list of items you do not want to forget, even in the good ol' US of A:
1. A list of important emergency phone numbers. Write them down, so no one has to try and find them on your cell phone.
2. Prescription medications in their original bottles and a copy of the prescription if possible. Getting copies of prescriptions before you fill them is a smart habit to get into, since having a copy of your prescription (including eyeglasses) can assist in replacing lost medications or glasses.
3. Photocopies of your passport and other identifying documents, kept in a separate location from the originals. Again, peace of mind in case of loss.
4. Bring a rubber doorstopper. It will take up almost no room in your bag and will give you a bit more security while you are in your hotel room.
5. Before leaving your hotel for a walk-about, get business card from the hotel with its address in the local language and writing. Getting 'home' will be a lot easier should you get lost.
6. Small flashlight (AA batteries). Handy for reading maps, navigating a train of sleeping folks, reading on the plane, bedside emergency use in your hotel room, finding those darn little euros in the bottom of your purse, and more!
7. Somewhere besides your purse to keep the majority of your money and your credit cards. Money belts are inconvenient, but given the peace of mind factor, I wear one under my clothes. Nothing bulky. Don't just buy the first one you see, try them on till you get a comfortable fit. Keep some small denomination currency in your pockets as well. Not a lot, put just enough in each morning to be able to make small purchases on the street without digging out a big fat wallet or exposing the money belt to potential thieves. I use in-room hotel safes if they are fastened to the wall/floor and have a combination I can set myself. Don't forget to empty it when you move on to your next stop!
8. If you must take a large suitcase, remember that airport security and screening procedures are pretty tight these days. Have some visible contact information INSIDE each suitcase. This can prove invaluable in the event your luggage's external ID tag and/or flight tag come loose or get damaged. Keep all checked bags unlocked; if your bag is selected for random screening, airport personnel may have to break the locks to get inside. Skip the locks to avoid any damage to your luggage and instead use plastic cable ties. Do not over-pack your bag. If your luggage gets selected for inspection, airport security screeners may have a difficult time closing your luggage, which can result in damage and extra wrinkles. Identify your luggage in a very obvious way so that it is easy to spot and difficult for someone else to mistake it as theirs. En route to China, I was amused to see a group of elderly women checking a myriad of suitcases...all marked with HUGE red and purple pompoms tied to the handles.
