“Is there anyone so wise as to learn by the experience of others? ” -Voltaire
Thanks, volteezy. Okay so learning from others and via their
experience is key is what I am saying. We need each other to learn. We
have to converse, talk, and in most cases argue. So take it with a grain
of salt, but this is what I think is essential for a backpacking trip,
summer abroad, one month, or even a weekend trip in a foreign country.
Here we go.
We begin with the essentials, I will expand from here. But this is what you could throw on your back and travel the world with.
We begin with the essentials, I will expand from here. But this is what you could throw on your back and travel the world with.
My backpack is a Burton Tinder Pack.
It was 48 American dollars. Depending on color and availability, they can be as cheap as 35 and 80 dollars. I chose a rucksack like backpack as I have a reasonable paranoia of pickpocketers. A lot of backpacks are offered as well that have anti-theft in mind when made. See this link for some of those.
Less zippers and pockets the better. Little outside pockets create
the understandable temptation to leave important small items like
currency which is often in coins rather than paper (which you should
always have in your front pocket wallet but we’ll get to that.) and of
course cell phones. Don’t put your cellphone anywhere but your front
pocket, moneybelt, or a small purse with a strap. One to two lockable
zippers are ideal. I’m sure most of the people going to use this advice
already have a backpack and it may be perfect or you may need to
upgrade. It’s a smart investment given your whole life will be in this
behind-the-back-object-carrying-device thing.
If you’re going to a major city, or a lot of major cities.
Regardless of how much roughing it you will be doing, avoid the hiking
backpacks. The huge ones. These.
I understand the temptation, you can fit a lot more. But you will
stand out literally everywhere you go. You can’t be mobile and in a
major city, you have to be mobile. I say this because I saw several
people in London on a daily basis who looked like they were ready for
waterfall spotting on their hike through Leicester Square and Piccadilly
Circus. And they’re pricey. Good for hiking not backpacking, that’s my
point, there’s a difference between the two and knowing it is important.
You can still fit a lot and what you need in a small to medium backpack. Now, onto your personal self and items.
Now, money-belts.
Moneybelts are necessary only in areas in which pickpockets are known to roam. This is basically most of major cities in the world. Invest in a money belt, and a front pocket wallet. A front pocket wallet is exactly what it sounds like and certain security ones exist that already have RFID protection. These wallets are often a lot slimmer and compact which would be more advisable to have in a purse for the ladies than a large wallet in said purse. If using a purse, always have an across the shoulder strap, be safe, not sorry. I would also suggest the money wallets that can be hung around your neck. I know people who have used these with success as well. I preferred one in my waistline as I found comfortable and hardly noticeable. Moneybelt links.
I personally own the Alpha Keeper RFID protection which included
multiple RFID protective sleeves and one passport RFID sleeve. The
latter not necessary but once again, the safer the less sorry.
I personally own a Columbia Security Wallet with money clip and RFID protection.
I recommend having your passport in your moneybelt with you at all
times. Whether it is stored on your back, or on your person. If you have
a locked room then it is okay to perhaps leave it for a regular outing.
Same with your laptop. You will be unable to tug that along always so
if you have a safe place to store such a valuable more power to you.
But in most cases protect it with your life.
Cell Phone: Have one. That simple.
As I stress in the video below, a
cell phone is a powerful device. You can certaintly get around without
it. But you should always have one. Emergencies happen, people get lost,
information is needed at intense times. Use the technology of our time
to it’s advantage. I understand unplugging, and I’m not saying find a
way to instagram in Portugal. What I’m saying is find a way to look up
the closest pub, or find the nearest embassy, or search for historic
monuments in a miles radius. As I mention in the video, we made it to
the moon with far less advanced technology as even a 90’s Nokia. You can
do without, but why? Take care of your phone and in most cases it
should be in moneywallet or front pocket while one is always aware.
Always be aware in large crowds. Do what I did. Acted cool with my hands
in my pockets a lot. Often holding my wallet and phone. Be safe, be
smart, be aware. Can’t stress these enough. Now, what to pack on your
back.
A watch: I notice these days not a lot of people depend on time on their wrist.
Don’t depend on your phone for this. Invest in a digital
watch that can show you time in multiple places, like back home and
where you currently are, and maybe other functions. Don’t wear an apple
watch or other smart watch as it makes you an easy target. A simple ten
dollar Casio as served me well for a year now.
What to pack:
- The following video will in length highlight the packing process.
- I will pack 3 shirts(or blouses) and three pants.
- Three pairs of underwear and three pairs of socks. Socks and underwear don’t take up a lot of space so feel free to add a few more than what I did for my demonstration.
- A light rain jacket(BIG NECESSITY.)
- One pair of extra shoes (absolutely do not need.) and books (don't need either, but hey you may be a constant reader like me.)
- A laptop which, you probably don’t need if you are just writing. As you can use pen and paper which is a lot more space friendly. If you need to write online, a bigger smart phone or tablet may be your answer. If you are on business that’s another story, bring your laptop.
- Toiletries, all travel sized, including deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste, wrinkle spray, and a toothbrush. The wrinkle spray is important as you’re clothes will be compacted so wrinkles will occur. The other things are also important as you will indeed smell if you don’t bathe. Obvious but hey, assume nothing.
- Also, keep in mind none of this includes what you carry on your person, you will hopefully be wearing clothes whilst traveling so that’s another outfit you can throw into the equation.
- Wear your heaviest shoes if you are bringing multiple and wear your heaviest jacket/sweatshirt as you don’t want to carry the weight and most hoodies/sweaters take up a lot of space. However you will/should/may need them given on the climate of where you are traveling.
- It’s smart to bring these toiletries mentioned above on every carry on as you never know what may happen to your checked luggage and you always want to be prepared for a couple days at least without your big toiletries.
- One of the bigger parts of my packing process is the single space bag. Here’s a link for space bag options.
- A space bag helps compact your clean clothes on the route to your destination and provides an easy way to pack dirty clothes and other items after your journey. I recommend the type that aren’t vacuum sealed as how are you going to find a vacuum in most foreign countries? You aren’t. They offer ones with a pump to remove air, but I am okay with finding the type that the removal of air space via hand through rolling up. Fairly cheap and very smart while abroad.
- Look into collapsible bags. They can be carried on with you easily and can be your second carry-on later one once you have acquired souvenirs and things of the like. This was extremely beneficial to me on the way home as after a month I gained at least 6-8 pounds of more luggage where the collapsible 20 inch bag came in handy.
- Also don’t forget your adapters/converters for whatever country’s outlets you are visiting. As discussed in the video I recommend one that is able to convert to all possibilities Europe, UK, Asia, Australia, and the USA.
- If you are traveling with others maybe converse on someone bringing a power-strip as it will provide more outlets for more devices. That is what my roommate and I did for our cellphone and laptop chargers. The one I own I purchased at Bestbuy and while pricey it worked well and will for years. Here is the link.
- See video for anything I may have not mentioned. It’s nearly 30 minutes long, but I believe it has a lot of valuable information for both any students ready to travel abroad as well as anyone ready to backpack across Europe or another section of the world. I hope through my experience others can have a similar if not far better one. Traveling the world and communicating with each other are two things that go hand in hand. Both also vital to education and personal growth. I hope this information helps and I always want to make myself available for advice and be open to learn more myself.
Thanks for reading,
-The Mikey Reynolds
--
Read more from Mikey at https://themikeyreynoldschronicles.wordpress.com/.
Find out more about the U of A Theatre in Britain summer program at http://studyabroad.uark.edu/theatreinbritain.
-The Mikey Reynolds
of The Mikey Reynolds Chronicles
--Read more from Mikey at https://themikeyreynoldschronicles.wordpress.com/.
Find out more about the U of A Theatre in Britain summer program at http://studyabroad.uark.edu/theatreinbritain.
