| Packing List | Help? | Maps | FAQ | Resources | Working | Finances | Home |
We are putting a great deal of time and thought into packing the right things and buying the right type of gear. As we are a bit frustrated with the lack of information on other travel sites (what exact gear did they buy for what reasons) we will attempt to post as much information as possible. Natalie and I are doing our best to be light packers, subscribing to the “Buy it when you need it” mentality.
As we purchase the items listed below, we will write a review and link, from this page, to the review.
| Clothing | Travel Gear | Medical |
| Documents | Technology | Other |
Clothing
Justin
- - Travel pants (1)
- - Long pants base layer (1)
- - T-shirt, regular (1)
- - Short sleeve travel shirt (1)
- - Long sleeve travel shirt (1)
- - Micro fleece, light weight jacket (1)
- - Long sleeve base layer (1)
- - Shorts (1)
- - Underwear (3)
- - Socks (3)
- - Baseball cap style hat (1)
Natalie
- - Travel pants (1)
- - Long pants base layer (1)
- - T-shirt, regular (1)
- - Short sleeve travel shirt (1)
- - Long sleeve travel shirt (1)
- - Micro fleece, light weight jacket (1)
- - Long sleeve base layer (1)
- - Shorts (1)
- - Swim Suit (top and bottom) (1 set)
- - Underwear (3)
- - Sports Bra (2)
- - Standard Bra (1)
- - Socks (3)
Travel Gear
Justin
- - Flip Flops (1 pair)
- - Shoes (1 pair)
- - Backpack (1)
- - 32 oz Nalgene (1)
- - Sleep Sack (1)
- - Sunglasses (1)
Natalie
- - Flip Flops (1 pair)
- - Shoes (1 pair)
- - Backpack (1)
- - 32 oz Nalgene (1)
- - Sleep Sack (1)
- - Sunglasses (1)
- - Calendar (1)
Both
- - XL Travel Towel (1)
- - Day Pack (1)
- - Compass
Medical
When it comes to medical supplies, we will pack enough to get us through a until we find a pharmacy. Apparently it is generally easier to buy medical supplies abroad than it is in the states.
- - Band Aids
- - Cold and Flu pills with decongestant
- - Antibiotic cream
- - Laxative
- - Pepto-Bismol
- - Hydrocortison cream
- - Mortin
- - Sinus head ache meds
- - Thermometer (electronic)
- - Anti Histamine
- - Re-Hydration sachets
- - Sports tape
- - Motion sickness pills
- - AirBorn
Documents
- - Optical Perscriptions (2)
- - Vaccination Cards (2)
- - Blood Type verification (2)
- - ESL Teaching Resumes (5 each)
- - Professional Resumes (5 each)
- - Passports (2)
- - Passport photos: regular (10 each)
- - Natalie Passport photos with head scarf (5)
- - Student ID’s
Technology
- - Digital Camera (1)
- - Case (1)
- - Battery (2)
- - 1 Gig memory card (1)
- - 2 Gig memory card (1)
- - USB to mini DV card (1)
- - 2 Gig USB drive (2)
- - GPS Unit: Handheld Geocaching style (1)
- - iPod and charger (1)
- - Kindel and charger (1)
Other
- - 10m Nylon Clothes Line (1)
- - Sink Plug
- - Chop Stick, non wood (2)
- - Leatherman
- - Knife
- - Ear Plugs (10 pairs)
- - Eye Mask (2)
- - Black Sharpie (2)
- - Super Glue (1tube)
- - Duck Tape
- - Sewing Kit
- - Spool of wire
- - Matches (1 small box)
- - Mini Mag light, LED (2)
- - Safety pins (20)
- - AA Batteries (6)
- - Battery powered alarm clock (1)
- - Small calculator, battery and solar powered (1)
- - Combination lock (2)
- - 7 feet thin medical security cable (2)
- - Thick zip ties (50)
- - Money Belt (2)
- - Frisbee (1)
- - Deck of cards (1)


hey…my sister kerri, who you lived with in college, said i should get in touch with you in case you had specific questions about backpacking and such. i did the same thing for 6 months. was a great experience and i’m a little jealous of you guys just starting out! anyway, please feel free to email me. i have a few pointers already from reading your list. you will come up with a million questions before you leave, but i’ll tell you this….we went with the bare minimum and we always found what we needed on the road, medicine included. i can give you some space saving tips as well. i’m currently in brazil, but i have a local MI number through vonage. if you want it, email me.
Yes, you are Kerri’s sister Kelli. Proud Aunt Kelli of Ted & Kerri’s son Isaac.
Thanks for your encouragement! Feel free to offer us any advice from your experiences backpacking.
I will be backpacking in Europe for a month late this spring/early summer. Currently I am in the market for a backpack and have lowered my options to probably an Osprey talon. I am curious as to how your experiences have been with these packs. I am also wondering if you have any refined tips in regards to packing?
Thanks!
Happy Travels, I have enjoyed your postings
@Mark Baumgartner - Mark, that has been a great light weight pack and has, what feels like, almost unlimited flexibility. When we are stationary for a few days, we use the 33 liter Talon as a day pack. It works perfectly. The only downside to the 33 liter is that it does not have a built in frame. Thus, when only a few things are placed into the pack, the back can be a bit floppy.
In regards to refined packing tips, pack far less that you think you need. If I was going to start over again (and only stick to Europe) I would only bring clothes (and not very many of those). Anything else you think you may need you will be able to pick up along the way.