Monday, May 02, 2005
Where to start
Packing tips:
Very light. Tolietries (a zip lock bag for these). Jeans or kahkis. Couple tops 1 short sleeve 1 long. Undies you can wash and dry easily. When you get it packed it should take half of a small backpack (I mean it.) Remember the people you see today will be memories tomorrow so you don't need to change clothes to please them.
Go to the dollar store and get a portable wash line: a bungee cord with built in clips -- makes the above a snap (yeah I know, weak pun).
Mike: go to the second had store and buy a sport coat. Some darker color would be best. They are way better than a vest because it has better pockets. Coupled with a light weight nylon jacket(nj) it keeps you warm, nj inside, almost dry, nj outside, and you look presentable for customs checks, border crossings, operas and nights out. Plus all those pockets make carrying all the little things that you want to take out of your belly bag easy. Since you didn't pay much for it you can chuck it in the garbage if it outlives its usefulness but I will guarantee you that won't happen.
Security and papers:
Take all your papers, passports, credit cards, etc. Scan them and roll them up in a pdf file and mail to your stay at home standing in case you need them. Sometimes your yahoo mail is a good place to store a limited amount of stuff. I probably wouldn't put the pdf there though.
Planning your trip
You might go to site like Rick Steeves and piece together a rough itinerary. Don't pay to much attention to it, just get your head in the travel mode with it and you may pick up some pointers.
Lonely Planet
Their chat lines has answers to most any question. Good hints on lodging but mostly this time of year you can wing it and talk to other backpackers. You might book a place online in Paris but otherwise don't worry. The tourist help is always useful if you need them.
Check out Rolf Potts' book Vagabonding, it's in the bookstores. He is talking longer trips but the advice is good anyway. He has a blog.
BootsnAll is another good source
More later after I see your first post. BA.
Very light. Tolietries (a zip lock bag for these). Jeans or kahkis. Couple tops 1 short sleeve 1 long. Undies you can wash and dry easily. When you get it packed it should take half of a small backpack (I mean it.) Remember the people you see today will be memories tomorrow so you don't need to change clothes to please them.
Go to the dollar store and get a portable wash line: a bungee cord with built in clips -- makes the above a snap (yeah I know, weak pun).
Mike: go to the second had store and buy a sport coat. Some darker color would be best. They are way better than a vest because it has better pockets. Coupled with a light weight nylon jacket(nj) it keeps you warm, nj inside, almost dry, nj outside, and you look presentable for customs checks, border crossings, operas and nights out. Plus all those pockets make carrying all the little things that you want to take out of your belly bag easy. Since you didn't pay much for it you can chuck it in the garbage if it outlives its usefulness but I will guarantee you that won't happen.
Security and papers:
Take all your papers, passports, credit cards, etc. Scan them and roll them up in a pdf file and mail to your stay at home standing in case you need them. Sometimes your yahoo mail is a good place to store a limited amount of stuff. I probably wouldn't put the pdf there though.
Planning your trip
You might go to site like Rick Steeves and piece together a rough itinerary. Don't pay to much attention to it, just get your head in the travel mode with it and you may pick up some pointers.
Lonely Planet
Their chat lines has answers to most any question. Good hints on lodging but mostly this time of year you can wing it and talk to other backpackers. You might book a place online in Paris but otherwise don't worry. The tourist help is always useful if you need them.
Check out Rolf Potts' book Vagabonding, it's in the bookstores. He is talking longer trips but the advice is good anyway. He has a blog.
BootsnAll is another good source
More later after I see your first post. BA.
