Comments on: 18 Essential Items for a Trip Around The World http://matadorgoods.com/18-essential-items-for-a-trip-around-the-world/ The coolest travel gear discovered by the Matador Community Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:20:11 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Kaylin http://matadorgoods.com/18-essential-items-for-a-trip-around-the-world/comment-page-2/#comment-4123 Kaylin Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:39:30 +0000 http://matadorgoods.com/?p=90#comment-4123 See, I think a money belt is very useful. I'm not sure how a thief could lift it off you... if you're doing it right. it's supposed to go UNDER your clothes, where it is hidden and can't be seen. Perhaps the poster above was thinking of a fanny pack/bum bag worn on the outside of clothes?? You only keep really important things you don't need to access constantly in your money belt, like your passport, emergency credit card and phone numbers, etc. Your debit card can go in there after you use it first thing in the morning to take out a day's worth of cash. This cash does NOT go in there, it goes in your wallet/pocket/etc, where you have easy access to it. If you have any EXTRA cash, however, (perhaps you took out a significant amount to avoid ATM fees) this should go in the money belt for safe keeping. The point is: you should not be digging in your money belt all day to get stuff, it should ONLY be there to hide important things you don't need constant access to. See, I think a money belt is very useful. I’m not sure how a thief could lift it off you… if you’re doing it right. it’s supposed to go UNDER your clothes, where it is hidden and can’t be seen. Perhaps the poster above was thinking of a fanny pack/bum bag worn on the outside of clothes?? You only keep really important things you don’t need to access constantly in your money belt, like your passport, emergency credit card and phone numbers, etc. Your debit card can go in there after you use it first thing in the morning to take out a day’s worth of cash. This cash does NOT go in there, it goes in your wallet/pocket/etc, where you have easy access to it. If you have any EXTRA cash, however, (perhaps you took out a significant amount to avoid ATM fees) this should go in the money belt for safe keeping. The point is: you should not be digging in your money belt all day to get stuff, it should ONLY be there to hide important things you don’t need constant access to.

(Report comment)

]]> By: Dewa Bhatara Ubud http://matadorgoods.com/18-essential-items-for-a-trip-around-the-world/comment-page-1/#comment-4075 Dewa Bhatara Ubud Sat, 27 Feb 2010 15:00:47 +0000 http://matadorgoods.com/?p=90#comment-4075 Don't forget to bring some snacks, matches, ballpoint. Small utility but sometime we need them. Don’t forget to bring some snacks, matches, ballpoint. Small utility but sometime we need them.

(Report comment)

]]> By: Vertical Adventures http://matadorgoods.com/18-essential-items-for-a-trip-around-the-world/comment-page-1/#comment-4027 Vertical Adventures Mon, 22 Feb 2010 09:09:09 +0000 http://matadorgoods.com/?p=90#comment-4027 Nice tips for the travelers. Thanks indeed for sharing. Keep it up! Nice tips for the travelers.
Thanks indeed for sharing. Keep it up!

(Report comment)

]]> By: Allana http://matadorgoods.com/18-essential-items-for-a-trip-around-the-world/comment-page-1/#comment-3981 Allana Sat, 13 Feb 2010 09:05:44 +0000 http://matadorgoods.com/?p=90#comment-3981 haha. Very interesting. I have to say that this list was pretty thorough, however another ABSOLUTE must is an empty cotton Pillowcase. This was my lifesaver in Europe, as you just fold and pop in all your extra clothes at night (bandana, jacket, scarf, etc) till you have a comfy pillow. One less thing to cart around! Also, wide cotton belt scarfs can be better than bandana's as you get all the use of a bandana PLUS a belt, AND you can use it to wrap fragile items, hang things, etc. :) haha. Very interesting. I have to say that this list was pretty thorough, however another ABSOLUTE must is an empty cotton Pillowcase. This was my lifesaver in Europe, as you just fold and pop in all your extra clothes at night (bandana, jacket, scarf, etc) till you have a comfy pillow. One less thing to cart around!
Also, wide cotton belt scarfs can be better than bandana’s as you get all the use of a bandana PLUS a belt, AND you can use it to wrap fragile items, hang things, etc. :)

(Report comment)

]]> By: Travelin' Guy http://matadorgoods.com/18-essential-items-for-a-trip-around-the-world/comment-page-1/#comment-3896 Travelin' Guy Thu, 04 Feb 2010 23:43:30 +0000 http://matadorgoods.com/?p=90#comment-3896 Some v. good ideas. I'd add: -small notebook. I use one that's about 3" x 5", with a coil binding on the top. I've procured a small pencil (3" long, w. eraser) that slips into the coil binding - it's always there! Fits into my back pocket. BTW if you get one with a side coil, even tho' you can insert a longer pencil, it breaks when you sit down! I write down the happening every day, and use back pages for lists, etc. -can't live without my Swiss Army knife. Mine has a wood sawing blade; amazingly useful. Two *sharp* blades, corkscrew, bottle opener, can opener (can double as eyeglass screwdriver. Worst thing EVER is that I now have to check it - we used to travel with only carry-on, and were already in the taxi while the rest of the plane is being hypnotized at the luggage carousel. -if we'll be moving around a lot, I pack pretty much everything in freezer-sized ziploc bags. Fold your stuff (shirts, socks, undies,etc), place in bag, partially close the zip, then squeeze out all the air, and complete the zip. I often will roll it, while kneeling on it; you get a vacuum then. I don't know why, but things never seem to wrinkle this way ('course, you shouldn't have wrinkly stuff while traveling). This method will even let you load your suitcase/pack from across the room! And when you pull out, say, a shirt, the rest of the bag is undisturbed. Bring extra ziplocs - invaluable for wet/dirty items, "extra" rolls from the food bar, etc. -small ziploc with first aid stuff: alcohol swabs, a mending kit, dental floss (great thread for buttons, torn items, etc) a few safety pins, bandaids, Ozonol, maybe moleskin, Tylenol, Benadryl, etc. -small flashlight. Not sure about a headlamp - it leaves your hands free, but I can't talk to wearers - every time I speak, they look up and blind me! -personally, I think a money belt positively screams "TOURIST". You can't easily and unobtrusively get access to it, and lets face it: it's pretty apparent that you're wearing one. And if you're wearing one, it's pretty apparent you're a tourist. And that you have enough cash to warrant a moneybelt. How many of your friends and acquaintances wear a money belt in day-to-day circumstances in your own towns (which can certainly be dangerous!) Use common sense, carry little cash, and rely on bank or credit cards. - for longer trips (3 weeks or more) I'll bring a small bottle or pouch, if it's available that way, of laundry detergent (shampoo works in a pinch). You can wash out small items like socks & undies in the sink, and hang them on the long (10 foot or so) piece of strong cord that you brought, with the 1/2 dozen or so clothespegs you so thoughtfully included. (Alternatively, I'll bring along several pairs of socks that are on their last legs as it were, then discard them over there. For those of you who might say "why would you bring YOUR garbage to THEIR country, you wasteful, polluting monster!", I say lighten up! It's only a couple of pairs of socks! If you're really troubled, maybe leave them in a park for their homeless folks! Now, go back home, and get a life!) -the single most important item is a sense of adventure. Try the local foods. Go to the local supermarkets, as well as the local farmers' markets. Window shop, away from the tourist zones. These are quite probably the best days of your life! Some v. good ideas. I’d add:
-small notebook. I use one that’s about 3″ x 5″, with a coil binding on the top. I’ve procured a small pencil (3″ long, w. eraser) that slips into the coil binding – it’s always there! Fits into my back pocket. BTW if you get one with a side coil, even tho’ you can insert a longer pencil, it breaks when you sit down! I write down the happening every day, and use back pages for lists, etc.
-can’t live without my Swiss Army knife. Mine has a wood sawing blade; amazingly useful. Two *sharp* blades, corkscrew, bottle opener, can opener (can double as eyeglass screwdriver. Worst thing EVER is that I now have to check it – we used to travel with only carry-on, and were already in the taxi while the rest of the plane is being hypnotized at the luggage carousel.
-if we’ll be moving around a lot, I pack pretty much everything in freezer-sized ziploc bags. Fold your stuff (shirts, socks, undies,etc), place in bag, partially close the zip, then squeeze out all the air, and complete the zip. I often will roll it, while kneeling on it; you get a vacuum then. I don’t know why, but things never seem to wrinkle this way (’course, you shouldn’t have wrinkly stuff while traveling). This method will even let you load your suitcase/pack from across the room! And when you pull out, say, a shirt, the rest of the bag is undisturbed. Bring extra ziplocs – invaluable for wet/dirty items, “extra” rolls from the food bar, etc.
-small ziploc with first aid stuff: alcohol swabs, a mending kit, dental floss (great thread for buttons, torn items, etc) a few safety pins, bandaids, Ozonol, maybe moleskin, Tylenol, Benadryl, etc.
-small flashlight. Not sure about a headlamp – it leaves your hands free, but I can’t talk to wearers – every time I speak, they look up and blind me!
-personally, I think a money belt positively screams “TOURIST”. You can’t easily and unobtrusively get access to it, and lets face it: it’s pretty apparent that you’re wearing one. And if you’re wearing one, it’s pretty apparent you’re a tourist. And that you have enough cash to warrant a moneybelt. How many of your friends and acquaintances wear a money belt in day-to-day circumstances in your own towns (which can certainly be dangerous!) Use common sense, carry little cash, and rely on bank or credit cards.
- for longer trips (3 weeks or more) I’ll bring a small bottle or pouch, if it’s available that way, of laundry detergent (shampoo works in a pinch). You can wash out small items like socks & undies in the sink, and hang them on the long (10 foot or so) piece of strong cord that you brought, with the 1/2 dozen or so clothespegs you so thoughtfully included. (Alternatively, I’ll bring along several pairs of socks that are on their last legs as it were, then discard them over there. For those of you who might say “why would you bring YOUR garbage to THEIR country, you wasteful, polluting monster!”, I say lighten up! It’s only a couple of pairs of socks! If you’re really troubled, maybe leave them in a park for their homeless folks! Now, go back home, and get a life!)
-the single most important item is a sense of adventure. Try the local foods. Go to the local supermarkets, as well as the local farmers’ markets. Window shop, away from the tourist zones. These are quite probably the best days of your life!

(Report comment)

]]> By: Kevin Cancun http://matadorgoods.com/18-essential-items-for-a-trip-around-the-world/comment-page-1/#comment-3873 Kevin Cancun Mon, 01 Feb 2010 21:36:47 +0000 http://matadorgoods.com/?p=90#comment-3873 These are some good tips even if you are just visiting one place! These are some good tips even if you are just visiting one place!

(Report comment)

]]> By: African sands http://matadorgoods.com/18-essential-items-for-a-trip-around-the-world/comment-page-1/#comment-3852 African sands Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:43:09 +0000 http://matadorgoods.com/?p=90#comment-3852 Great list. I would definitely recommend adding in a first aid kit. At least then if you do fall ill you know what drugs you are taking as opposed to trying to buy something from the local pharmacy when they sometimes don't speak English and you have to try and sign language what you want. Include suncream, aftersun lotion and lip balm in this. If you do take a swiss army knife always make sure it is checked in and not with you in your hand luggage otherwise it will be taken away from you. Great list. I would definitely recommend adding in a first aid kit. At least then if you do fall ill you know what drugs you are taking as opposed to trying to buy something from the local pharmacy when they sometimes don’t speak English and you have to try and sign language what you want. Include suncream, aftersun lotion and lip balm in this.
If you do take a swiss army knife always make sure it is checked in and not with you in your hand luggage otherwise it will be taken away from you.

(Report comment)

]]> By: Melissa http://matadorgoods.com/18-essential-items-for-a-trip-around-the-world/comment-page-1/#comment-3845 Melissa Fri, 29 Jan 2010 05:56:15 +0000 http://matadorgoods.com/?p=90#comment-3845 I recommend sewing money into your bra's, some have compartments for extra padding. Who can pickpocket that? And even with your bra off, noone would suspect that money is stashed in the cups. I recommend sewing money into your bra’s, some have compartments for extra padding. Who can pickpocket that? And even with your bra off, noone would suspect that money is stashed in the cups.

(Report comment)

]]> By: Mariellen Ward http://matadorgoods.com/18-essential-items-for-a-trip-around-the-world/comment-page-1/#comment-3824 Mariellen Ward Mon, 25 Jan 2010 21:09:48 +0000 http://matadorgoods.com/?p=90#comment-3824 Thanks for the list, I am just packing now for three months in India -- and yes, a Petzl head light is essential. I wrote a packing list specifically for India on my blog. You can find it here: http://breathedreamgo.com/2008/12/packing-for-india/ Thanks for the list, I am just packing now for three months in India — and yes, a Petzl head light is essential. I wrote a packing list specifically for India on my blog. You can find it here: http://breathedreamgo.com/2008/12/packing-for-india/

(Report comment)

]]> By: Chase http://matadorgoods.com/18-essential-items-for-a-trip-around-the-world/comment-page-1/#comment-3823 Chase Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:18:06 +0000 http://matadorgoods.com/?p=90#comment-3823 Why do these lists always suggest money belts? I think they're a terrible idea. I concentrates all of your money and identification in one easy to steal container. I've seen pickpockets in Paris and Barcelona effortlessly lift these belts right off of people in subways. I imagine this would be even easier in somewhere more crowded like Brazil or Asia. I always distribute things between several zipped and or buttoned pockets across my body. I've had three people try to pick my pocket while traveling, and all have failed. The money belts scream "I'm a mark." Why do these lists always suggest money belts? I think they’re a terrible idea. I concentrates all of your money and identification in one easy to steal container. I’ve seen pickpockets in Paris and Barcelona effortlessly lift these belts right off of people in subways. I imagine this would be even easier in somewhere more crowded like Brazil or Asia. I always distribute things between several zipped and or buttoned pockets across my body. I’ve had three people try to pick my pocket while traveling, and all have failed.

The money belts scream “I’m a mark.”

(Report comment)

]]>