It must become general knowledge to the avid reader of my musings that I’m an overly well-travelled person myself. As such and with a tendency to obliviousness I’ve used and expanded the following checklist for more than a decade. It could be more detailed but I trust you to chose your own shorts and decide whether you really need more than two pairs of shoes on a trip – though I might at one time or another expand on some more complicated issues such as my fine collection of padlocks or bribe money.
Organisation:
♣ leave your keys at home
♣ remember your pin numbers
♣ (know how to) obtain the required visa(s)
♣ bring sufficient bribe money for shady “border” controls etc. (small dollar bills)
♣ wash & waterproof backpack / sleeping bag
♣ download books / travel guides
♣ get a VPN client on all your devices
Documents:
♣ passport (& copy)
♣ credit cards (minimum 2, credit cards are blocked on a somewhat regular basis)
♣ (flight, bus etc.) tickets
♣ student card (one word: discounts)
♣ (international) insurance certificate
♣ vaccination card (& copy) (for visas)
♣ passport photos (for visas, replacement documents etc.)
Gadgets:
♣ socket adapter
♣ phone + charging cable
♣ powerbank (must-have in sub-Saharan Africa)
♣ laptop / camera / etc. + charging cables
♣ epilator + charging cable
Medication:
♣ allergy remedies (allergies are unheard of in many parts of the world)
♣ loperamide (antidiarrhoeal agent)
♣ pill / contraception
♣ hypertension drugs
♣ something against herpes
♣ plasters
♣ eye drops
♣ contact lenses + care product
♣ glasses + case
♣ sunglasses + case
♣ tampons
Cosmetics:
♣ toothbrush + floss + toothpaste
♣ comb
♣ shaver
♣ creme / body oil
♣ body wash / soap / facial wash
♣ shampoo + conditioner / argan oil
♣ deodorant
♣ sun blocker
♣ manicure set
♣ nail polish + remover
♣ scrunchies
Clothing:
♣ underwear
♣ socks
♣ tops
♣ jerseys
♣ leggings / sweatpants
♣ trousers
♣ shorts
♣ belt
♣ parka / between-seasons jacket
♣ scarf / hat / gloves
♣ shoes
♣ bikini
♣ nightwear
♣ (bum) bag
Odds and ends:
♣ umbrella
♣ extra bags (plastic / canvas)
♣ sewing kit
♣ padlock
♣ lighter
♣ pen + Sharpie (must-have for hitchhikers)
♣ towel
♣ sleeping bag (the tiny ones for the tropics also work as a scarf or natural border to cockroaches in times of need)
