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[mustbeanon]

I've been reading this board glad for your advice on packing, travelling lite, etc. Have a few last questions. For a 7week trip, can a female traveller really go in one rolling check in plus one  computercase carryon? I'm freaking out about bedbugs too, but just sent off for a sleepsack (they can'tget through that, right?). Here's the list:
carry-on: computer, adapters for the three countries, files, overnight clothes/underwear, no-jet-lag, ear-drum equalizers, honeycomb mask, slippers, eyeshade, travel pillow, sleepsack for covering the plane seat, security strapped wallet for passport, money, etc; credit cards, phone cards, emergency numbers, itinerary. Toothbrush/paste, facial cloths, makeup. prescription medicines, glasses & eyeglass prescription, Rxsunglasses. Packable panama hat from travelsmith. tiny umbrella
Pack for 7 week trip:
raincoat, black chico's travelers dress, black skirt, walking sandals, dressy shoes & dressy jacket to snazz up the dress, black skirt, three t-shirts of different colors to wear over black skirt, black pants, casual jacket, underwear, stockings, bug spray, digital camera, library gear for the archives, (sneakers and workout clothes to avoid fattening up?)... alarm clock? hair dye (buy it there, where I don't speak the language, and end up a redhead or worse??)?

This is my effort to pack totally light. Pah. Would like to see others' 7-week packing lists to see how realistic this is. Don't you get sick of washing and wearing the same clothes over and over?
what am I forgetting?? Why did I agree to go on this trip?? I want to stay HOME and rest in my own little house.

Bedbugs: does permethrin spray keep them away? I have to travel cheap, and I fear the nasty bugs.   

[schoolmarm]

I do this all the time!

I have found that it is better to take my computer briefcase as my personal item and to put my purse with the video equipment in a tote bag with the blow-up pillow and reading material.

In the computer briefcase (it slips over the handle of my rolling bag):

Laptop, thin scanner, two power cables, and adapter plug for the computer (fits on the power cord...I don't take a regular adapter, as the scanner works on the computer power).  Paperwork for the trip:  tickets, reservation sheets, interview consent forms. And from now on, since I went abroad without luggage...a change of underwear.

In the totebag:  purse with credit cards and money, passport, blow-up pillow, video bag (optional...) this has digital video and voice recorders, digital camera and charger, power adapter. Sleep socks. Ziplock bags for gels/creams/makeup.  Ziplock bag for snacks from the plane.  Empty pop bottle to refill (sometimes not allowed in certain countries). Beach towel...you can use it as a blanket, or a pillow, or a towel.

In the rolling bag:
Shoes--one pair sandals, one pair dress flats
About 2-3 weeks worth of undies in a 2 gallon Ziploc, 2 bras, socks and one pair hose
Swimsuit
One or two pairs of shorts
Neutral pants--most of my clothes are travellers and I mix and match.
A couple of lightweight skirts
Tops to go with all of the bottoms (all tops go with almost all bottoms)
Black travellers long skirt/jacket for the opera (sometimes I take pants and a shiny jacket instead).
Sundress (that goes with my jacket)
Jammies (over-sized t shirt) and a very lightweight robe (in case I am in a bathroom down the hall place.)
Umbrella
Toiletries
Digital Video tapes.
Tide-to-go and Tide individual wash packet, bandaids, feminine supplies, shampoos from hotels (I throw the bottle away as I empty them).
Ziplock with plastic forks/spoons/knives/paper napkins/a plastic plate

I usually wear a travellers pair of black pants and top with a business jacket that goes with black and my other color that I'm packing.  I wear my walking shoes and take them off on the plane, and wear the sleep socks.  I take my all-weather dressy raincoat on the plane.  Sunglasses, reading glasses and hairbrush go in the purse.  Memory stick!  Sometimes I pack a portable printer, sometimes not.  Sometimes I take a sleep sack, sometimes I just use the beach towel.

What I DON'T take:  Alarm clock, hairdryer, anything else electric, hair care products other than shampoo, jewelry, etc.

I try to leave room in my rolling bag for purchases on the return.  If I don't take the tote bag on the plane, I pack it in the rolling bag.  A tote bag is really handy for grocery shopping, etc.

Have fun on your trip.

[scotia]

Be careful to check the rules for cabin luggage in Europe at the moment. In the UK we are allowed only one item of cabin luggage (ladies purses included - you need a bag big enough to put the purse in to go through security checks if you want it as a separate item). This is true for all classes, not just economy and is being strictly enforced. The rules of the dimensions of cabin luggage are also being rigorously applied - and to transit passengers if one of my friend's recent experiences are representative.

[verbena]

For a 7week trip, can a female traveller really go in one rolling check in plus one  computercase carryon?

Yes. I've done it for a five-week trip and after a couple of weeks you're just wearing the same stuff anyway.

My advice is not to use one of those bulky computer case carry-on things. Instead, get a slim computer envelope case made of neosmarphalene -- OK, I don't remember what the material is called, but it's slim and padded enough to protect your laptop just as well; you can slip it into a backpack that will hold lots more stuff, be much more comfortable, and not let on that you are actually carrying a computer. Also, nylon is your friend. Handwash like a mad freak and mail things home if you need to.

[expatinuk]

Where in Europe are you going? Honestly it's not third world over here.

I'd wear sneakers and pack the sandals and dress shoes.

As for bed bugs..... I have heard that it's a huge problem in the US, but I've not had any experience (knock wood) anywhere... and I travel a lot.

[expatinuk]

One other thing... I've found that packing a lot of rayon really works. It's lightweight and breath-able. It washes and dries faster than cotton. As for getting tired of clothes. You can always buy something new.

[mustbeanon]

Where in Europe are you going? Honestly it's not third world over here.

Right, no, I know--used to live in France. Going to Belgium, France, Luxembourg, and the UK (Scotland and England).  But it's been so long, and 7 wks seems the awkward time---not long enough to really move major stuff, but too long to live out of a suitcase... maybe live out of a suitcase?  Thanks, folks--will apprecaite other tips, as you think of them...

PS on electronics---the adapter kits ok? IS a stepdown transformer reaaaaally necessary?

[scotia]

PS on electronics---the adapter kits ok? IS a stepdown transformer reaaaaally necessary?

Hi mustbeanon - this was my response in February to a similar question:

My American colleagues have no difficulty using their computers when they visit the UK - they simply stick on the plug adaptor and go. Most cellphone chargers and notebook computers detect the voltage change and make the adjustment (always worth checking the handbook though!). With other equipment it is worth checking the handbook as more and more professional electrical equipment is designed for international travel.

Please don't try a North American hairdryer in the UK unless it specifically allows you to switch to 220V - last time I was in a London hotel I spent some time on the pavement in my PJs getting rained on and awaiting the fire brigade after a guest from Florida decided to use their own fancy dryer rather than the one in the hotel room and set off the smoke detectors.

All of the European countries I have visited, with the exception of the UK and Ireland, use 110V so the power rating is not an issue for North American visitors, just the electrical socket shape.

I think you will require only socket two adapters - one for mainland Europe and one for the UK.

Sorry if you know this already, but If you are bringing a cellphone check that it is compatible with the European system which has a different operating standard to the US (the UK and Europe are on the same system).

[expatinuk]

Seven weeks isn't really too long to live out of a suitcase. If you actually take a good hard look at your wardrobe you'll find that you don't wear all the stuff in your closet on a regular basis any how.

Worrying about bedbugs is just plain weird ... you will have just a likely chance of getting bedbugs in the US as you will in Europe. Unless you pack your special sleeping bag for a trip to the Motel 6 in the US I'd just leave it at home.

Europe does have laundrymatts and it's pretty common for folks here to actually (shock horror) wash their clothes.  Most B&Bs have ensuite  rooms so you don't run down the hall to visit the loo. Most of the ones I've been staying in lately also have free wireless broadband.

Of course if you still want the running down the hall to the loo experience... to feel European (and most Europeans don't do it) then by all means look for a really really really cheap place to stay.

[monkfish]

I have never encountered bedbugs in any of those countries, so I would try to stop worrying about them (and did you say that you are bringing something to cover up the airplane seat to protect against bed bugs?--this is just unecessary).

Regardless, I have traveled in both "first world" and "third world" countries while living out of a suite case, and your list seems fine. A couple of comments though:

- I wouldn't bring dedicated gym clothes/sneakers. Sneakers are enormously bulky, and chances are you will walk a lot more than usual to make up for any extra caloric intake (in itself doubtful) or break of usual gym routine.

- As noted, a stepdown transformer is not necessary unless you have electronics specifically requiring it. I have never seen a laptop that doesn't accomodate European current straight out of the box, so you won't need one for that. The same holds true for most newer digital cameras, cell phones, and what not. You should be able to check on the charger. If you find that you need to bring electronics that don't do this automatically, see if you can get a cable to charge them via your computer's USB port to save space--or buy a cheap charger over there.

- Not only do European carriers sometimes have different carry-on regulations in terms of number of bags you can bring onboard, but also in terms of size. I believe, for example, most US carriers' limitis 22" whereas Sabena (when it existed) used to have a limit of 20".

- Finally, best thing to do when traveling in Europe, in my experience, is to pack as light as you can and plan on buying some items of clothing as you go along. That way you get wearable souvernirs (I am not thinking "my parents went to Florida and all I got was this lousy t-shirt" of course), or get really cheap stuff and then give away at the end of the trip to a local version of the Salvation Army or what not.

[expatinuk]

- I wouldn't bring dedicated gym clothes/sneakers. Sneakers are enormously bulky, and chances are you will walk a lot more than usual to make up for any extra caloric intake (in itself doubtful) or break of usual gym routine.

I agree about the gym clothes but I disagree about the sneakers. I walk a lot when I travel and I thank my lucky stars that I always pack sneakers (actually I wear them on the plane since they are bulky). They are the MOST comfortable walking shoe possible. They also protect your feet. I can't tell you the number of silly injuries I've seen with people wearing sandals and or flipflops when they are being 'touristy'.

I usually wear 'running' shoes since they have a breathable mesh top and are lighter than 'walking shoe' sneakers.

I also always bring a big 'handbag' ('I love Paris' is the one I usually use) when I'm out and abouting.... it's big enough to hold a pullover, my camera, guidebook, wallet etc with out weighing too much itself.

[illuminata]

Yes, it is possible and adviseable to only take one bag. However, rolly bags in Europe, esp the Paris metro, not so good. I use a duffle I can throw over my (well,ok, my cabana boy's) shoulder.

AND you forgot one essential element: you did not invite ME.

Quelle horreur!

[mustbeanon]

Thanks, everyone, for the great advice!
Illuminata, we leave Wednesday. See you at the airport, 4:30 a.m. sharp!

[losemygrip]

And of course, the ideal bag (which I swear by): THE ROLLING DUFFEL!

They're hard to find in smaller sizes, but worth it.

I also recommend: pack a lightweight nylon duffel all folded up.  That'll be for all the junk you pick up while you're abroad.  If the $ was stronger, I'd say get it over there, but it would be too expensive.