Alja´s packing list

It´s the same packing panic each time... for some people
(not for my brother, though...who goes on months long trips to India and Pakistan and start packing 15 minutes before slowly moving to the airport, in the last minute... while his girlfriend goes insane)

Fortunately I´ve learned to cool down a little, too. I´ve also learned not to bring a thousands of unnecessary stuff that only weights in your bag and won´t even be used during the trip.

Here is my list:

- a good backpacking bag (rinkka)
- comfortable travelling clothes so that you can sit, stand, freely move around and even sleep with the same dress if necessary. They need to be both warm and cold enough. (Women: I´ve found that a long skirt actuallty is the best to travel with! Then u can put on or take off pantyhoses easily and you never have to suffer from pains due to tight pants sitting on the plane for hours).
- a nice little female handbag for the purse, passport, ticket, lipstick etc :)(it has to be one you constantly have under control so noone snatches it)

- underwears enough, clothes - but only the absolut necessary amount (since you can use washing machines abroad). Make sure you also have something warm and wind/waterproof. Women: beware of the dressing code of the destination country. For ex. if you travel to a Muslim country you have to bring long skirts and long sleeved shirts!
- if you have to stay at some airport night time: make sure you have some simple kind of mattress to lie on + warm clothes enough (otherwsie you can easily catch a flue, like I did last time). A inflatable travel pillow is well worth having, too!
- walking shoes (for ex, comfortable sandals where you can have socks if necessary)
- sun burn prevention stuff: good sunglasses, a sun hat, sunlotion + sun block (lotion) (don´t be a "stupid tourist" fro the north...who desperately burn themselves red just in order to get a "nice" little tan...) Think of the cancer risk.
- tablets or medicins for prevention and treatment against stomach problems and ache etc medicines (for example Lacto- or Ascidophilus tablets + Burana painkillers
- intimate wipes (for hands before eating or after toilets)
- toiletpaper (cos at some toilets there just isn´t any paper)
- a small towel + swimsuits
- communication device: the mobile (text messaging is a reliable and cheap way wherever you are). In most places you find cheap internet cafees where you can keep in touch with your loved ones or hosts. That makes it unnecessary to bring a laptop of your own.
- the camera + big memory card enough
- contact info (to the tourist office etc important people or places), maps, paper and pen will help you a lot once you are there. It saves you time, energy etc.
- contacts to local people is a must for me these days (read more on
http://www.couchsurfing.come/ and http://www.hospitalityclub.org/ It´s good if you have several contacts in the same city/area just in case something happens or goes wrong.
- facts about the local system and customs is wise to have before you go, This helps you prepare and plan the budget, the packing etc. Many local people appreciate if you know something about them or can say speak some words in theuir language. This will defenetively give you much more than it ever costs you! And facts/info is very easy to find on internet these days.
- music... is the extra luxury I need have. That´s why I load the mobile full of good mp3:s + headphones