A Mid-Trip Interlude

An interlude at the halfway point.

By Guy

Do you take everything you think you'll need, and lug around bags that end up being heavier than you are?

Packing is difficult at the best of times. But what to bring and what to leave behind for a month in various foreign countries adds a twist to normal planning. Do you err on the side of "less is more", and count on finding replacements for shampoo should it run out, and depend on the availability of laundromats? Or do you take everything you think you'll need, and lug around bags that end up being heavier than you are? So, in that spirit, here is compilation of things I wish we had (and hadn't) brought to Europe for a month.

What I wish we had brought

Imodium : No international traveler should be without it... ever. Yes, it is widely available in stores, but when you need it, it is invariably after business hours (or labeled in German)

Electrical Conversion Kit : We brought the continental adapter... but the British adapter is sitting in a pile of junk somewhere in my closet in Casper. Whoops.

Normal Sized Toiletries : Yes, those travel sized ones seem like they'd be convinient, but let's be honest, two grown men in Europe for a month will burn through those cute little bottles of shampoo in four days. On the other hand, running out of shampoo does give you an excuse to try strange new European products

My Portable Picture Printer : Ah, digital photography -- the epitome of instant gratification. But having seen (and taken great pictures of) dear old friends and beloved family, it would have been nice to leave them with some copies of the pictures as a token of our esteem. Ah well, I guess I can mail them later.

Fingernail Clipper : Intended to be brought but then used the night before we left. And apparently, bringing them on planes doesn't get you arrested anymore.

Dental Pick : Oral Hygine is important... and picks are not available here.

Listerine Breath Strips : My favorite breath-freshening solution. Again, not available.

What we brought... and didn't need to

Jason's Laptop : Heavy, expensive, and completely surplus thus far. I mean, its a vacation after all. Plus, hosts and hotels alike have in this modern era internet access. However, it did turn out to be a great jukebox for the Amsterdam hotel room without being too distracting as we focused on vacationing rather than real-time blogging.

Our US cell phones : Mind you, we rented a European cell phone and it's been invaluable. But we'll use our cell phones possibly once on this trip, on the return voyage during our layover in Minneapolis. Not worth it.

Portable Hard Drive with Backup of all the files on Guy's Laptop : See above, plus, that's why you buy a nice fire-proof safe to keep at home.

Uncertain clothing : You're on vacation, you want to look your best and feel comfortable. Don't take those jeans you think you might want to wear one day.

Baseball caps : Not so very European it turns out.

And an epilouge...

Packing is a challenge. To me, it's like a contact sport. And the only one I excel at, I might add. The simple fact is, you might pack for a summer vacation only to arrive at your destination to find the weather freakishly fall-like, requiring  a purchase of mini-umbrella to go in your man-bag (ooo... add that to the "wish I had packed" list!). And one more thing, while I don't suggest packing it, Americans do produce the world's best toilet paper. Maybe that's not a skill worth celebrating. Then again...