When the idea to become a lifelong traveler occurred to me in 2010, the first thing I did was buy a backpack - a Blackhawk 3-Day Assault Pack I've nicknamed Oliver. With only 37 liters of space, Oliver keeps me from over-packing (my lower back will thank me later).
My backpack carries the following:
#1 Priority
- passport
- driver's license
- international driver's license
- vaccination records / official documents
- money
- cable lock
- >> in purse
Clothing
- workout tank
- short-sleeve shirt x 3
- cardigan
- long-sleeve shirt x 2
- sweater
- slacks
- workout/yoga pants
- leggings
- gym shorts
- cycling/casual pants
- skirts x 3
- night-out dress
- summer dress
- Marilyn Monroe dress
- travel dress
- blazer
- fleece jacket
- rain shell jacket
- bras x 2
- undies x 5
- socks x 7
- tights/hose x 3
- walking shoes
- flats
- Vibram's
- pashmina
- microfiber towel
- reversible swimsuit
- baseball cap
Electronics
- Macbook Air 13'' with charger
- external hard drive
- plug adapter
- digital camera (not pictured) with charger
- iPod nano with charger & headphones
- Kindle with case & charger
- book light
- >> in medium-sized organizer
Health/Hygiene
- hair accessories
- Q-tips
- Kleenex
- lip balms
- hair ribbons
- extra contacts
- >> in small-sized organizer
- medication for first aid kit (to treat different infections)
- Liquids bag >> sunscreen, toothbrush, contacts solution, sunburn balm
- Handmade bag >> shampoo in tin, floss, hairbrush, combination lock
- First aid kit >> bandages, nail clippers, etc.
- 3oz liquid silicone tubes x 2 (not pictured)
- makeup, deodorant, watch, handkerchief, Keeper (not pictured)
Tools
- eye mask
- compass
- travel wallet
- clothesline
- sewing kit
- headlamp
- reusable earplugs, sunglasses, packable waterbottle (not pictured)
- >> in tiny seaside bag
- compact umbrella
- Thai coin purse
- large spare bag
- signed copy of "Vagabonding"
- business card holder (important for Japan)
- moleskines
- stationary
- >> in large-sized organizer
- packable seaside tote
- 10L compression sack
- 4L dry sack
- packable daypack
- travel jewelry organizer
BONUS: Extra Things for Japan
- Japanese language books
- bilingual map of Jap
- JET Program documents and books (not pictured)
- post-it notes (plus stickers and other teaching aides, not pictured)
- professional long-sleeve shirt x2
- professional short-sleeve shirt x5
- short skirt for nights out
- professional suit jacket and skirt
- high-heels
- hand-painted flats
- flip flops
- rain boots
- winter gear >> parka, wool hat, winter boots, gloves, thick socks, navy sweater (not pictured - I'll have to this mailed to me before winter comes again)
The Bottom Line
I'm ready to go! Aside from two boxes of sentimental things that will staying in Michigan, this is everything I own! I wonder how the contents of my backpack will change as I adapt to living abroad? I can't wait to go and find out :)---
Is this list too short/too long for you? What do you never travel without? Please share in the comments.
"When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money." - Susan Heller, New York Times
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