Debriefing

By Mary

In case any of you are planning a similar trip, I have prepared a list of what you might want to take. Everything on this list we used during our trip, or really wished we had. Thanks to the people at OneBag for helping us build this list!

• A great backpack
• Daypack
• Travel locks
• Nice sewing kit
• Earplugs
• Eye mask
• Heating pad or hot water bottle
• 2 long sleeved travel shirts
• 2 quick drying T-shirts
• 2 pairs convertible nylon travel pants
• Swimsuit/goggles/swim cap
• 6 pairs of cotton underwear
• 6 pairs cotton socks (thin)
• 2 sports bras or 2 undershirts with built-in bra*
• Hat
• Running sandals
• Walking shoes
• Fleece jacket
• Waterproof shell
• Ibuprofen (hard to get in Asia)
• Anti-diarrheal medication
• Ciprofloxacin (prescription)
• Waterproof bandages and band-aids
• Sunscreen
• Antihistamines
• Insect repellant (DEET-based)
• Anti-malarials (prescription)
• Toiletries
• Liquid lysol or other disinfectant
• Rubber or latex gloves
• Mosquito net
• Hand sanitizer
• Travel clothesline
• Rubber doorstop
• Flashlight/headlamp
• Travel bath/sink plug (for washing clothes)
• Compass
• Glasses AND contacts (if needed)
• That stuff you put under your nose to block out bad smells
• Bed sheet or thin sleeping cocoon
• Neosporin (bacitracin/neomycin antibacterial ointment)
• Tampons (for the whole trip)*
• Towel (thin, with lots of surface area)
• Books that you can read at least three times
• Crossword or Sudoku books
• A small laptop if possible
• Universal travel adaptor
• Digital camera + extra battery, memory, and waterproof case
• Cell phone with world-wide GSM card
• Passport (with all the visas you need)
• Credit cards (preferably both MasterCard and Visa)
• ATM cards (preferably both Plus and Cirrus)
• Travelers Checks (we only used 1 the entire trip, but still a good backup)
• Security pouch
• Copies of all important documents and numbers

(* most men don’t use these)

Things we should have packed:

• More ibuprofen
• Hot water bottle
• Latex gloves
• Another camera
• Lysol
• That stuff you put under your nose to block out bad smells

American things for which we are grateful:

• Friends and family (that we can see!)
• Legible road signs
• Twinkies
• Potable tap water
• Cable television
• Reliable plumbing
• Trash pickup
• Clean streets and sidewalks
• Not looking conspicuously wealthy

We were able to fit all of this into our 2 REI Vagabond Travel Packs, two small daypacks, and one small travel tote. Ideally we'd have avoided the travel tote, but weren't quite able to fit everything in the two bags. It's hard to find room for presents!

5 months is a long time. You’ll be really glad to come home. :-)