Be A PeterGreenberg.com Contributor: Part 4

Okay, Peter, here you go!  On every trip I pack a “little black dress,” flip flops, a japanese spa scrubber (better than using washclothes because it can dry no matter how humid) and a bathing suit.  The best gadget is a bit average, but a Swiss army knife — you never know when a bottle of wine needs opening or pate need cutting. The most useful piece of travel gear is a Calvin Klein lightweight linen wrap (it doesn’t wrinkle!) that covers my shoulders and elbows, can be fashionably tied to my chin and extends past my tushy!  As I have been traveling to the Middle East and Central Asia more often, this item has been indispensable!! In my carry-on I always have a toothbrush and toothpaste (not safe to use the stuff made in China!), extra contact lenses, a favorite book (I’m old school….haven’t broken into “kindles”) and my diary —  as inspiration for a book usually happens on a 14 hour non-stop.

On every trip, I pack my bathing suit, because you never know where you’ll end up.
The best travel gadget is a small calculator, to calculate dollars into foreign currency (I learned to do this after mistakenly paying $36.00 for a bag of cherries in Paris one time.) It’s also very useful to calculate tips, etc. and hotel bills, tax and other charges.
I always pack my bathing suit and a thin cashmere shawl in a neutral color (mine is a fawn color) in my carry-on. The bathing suit because if your luggage is lost or delayed getting to your hotel room, you can still go to the pool, and the cashmere shawl doubles as a blanket on chilly flights, and as an outer layer, like a sweater, while traveling. The shawl is easy to carry and looks elegant with everything. I know I’ll always need it.

My secret “gadget” to pack is not a gadget, but wet ones!  They are unbelievable handy to have – if you need to, they can be your next shower, clean up a mess, polish shoes, etc.  I have also really appreciate the universal adapter I bought. I have seen adapters not fit the plug in but the universal has always worked.

My carry-on,  oh how I love thee!  I pack a book, 2-3 changes of clothes, my swimsuit, and a pair of shoes always.  I try to have the change of clothes range from something nicer to lounge wear.  As most people, I have had my bag delayed and the clothing options have been a lifesaver.  I also put anything valuable – my laptop, camera, and jewelry, if I even bring it.  If I still have room, I will pack more clothing.

Besides what I have mentioned, I pack travel or sample-sized toiletries (something I can dispose of easily), additional clothing and shoes needed, gifts for the hosts (as applicable), a towel, and that is about it.  I have learned in the years to pare down my packing.  The trip is always more enjoyable when I can spend less effort hauling luggage around.

As a picky eater, it’s all about the food. Yeah, yeah, I know we experience a culture through its food but my stomach doesn’t always agree with that philosophy. Having a small stash of nuts and protein bars can make all the difference in the world. I also always carry a small travel journal — I don’t write a lot, just snippets, such as the name of a landmark or interesting words or phrases (latest favorite foreign expression — gobsmacked!)  Later, when I get home, I write longer journal entries based on these snippets.   

Tell us what you pack on every trip. On every trip I pack a small travel purse. My everyday bag is crammed with my giant wallet and a bunch of stuff I think I’ll need but never do. Of course I bring that with me, but valuables go in the hotel room safe, and my small purse holds money, ID, and a few cosmetics. Of course I always have a diaper bag in tow as well, so that can hold the rest of the useless stuff I always insist on lugging along.What the best gadget?Hands down, it’s the tablet computer. Keeps us connected, holds our info, and entertains the kids. It doesn’t weigh much and doesn’t take up too much room. We’re hooked! The most useful piece of travel gear? Decent luggage. We now have a quality suitcase and carry-on bag after years of traveling with a mishmash of luggage. We’re more organized with these new bags and can get through security more easily now – they have exterior pockets that hold the stuff you have to take out of it anyway.What’s in your carry-on that you know you’ll need?Baby wipes – great for so much more than their intended purpose. And a plastic bag or two to hold what’s left over from using them for their intended purpose  

Basic black pants outfit to dress up or down. My hand held luggage scale LOL! My rolling carry on bag. Pen and paper.

 I hate having to pack! It seems no matter how organized I think I get, going over every scenario under the sky of who will want or need anything from I.D’s, to gum, to phone chargers, I am stuck shuffling around getting the items in and out multiple times. With that said I have found I have to have a few sandwich size baggies available for candy or snacks my kids get along the way and don’t finish but don’t want to throw away either and ask me to hold it. I love the smart phones for reducing the need for carrying a camera and video camera with me at all times. The iPad 2 is the best! Read, watch movies, shoot/edit video, play games… truly the best travel companion out there for the whole family. Earphones too. I love the Voss water bottle. It’s a great bottle to refill and easy to carry around in a purse or backpack. Slides for the hotel so you don’t have to walk around barefoot. The most important thing is to remember you don’t want to pack your everyday life to come with you. Leave your everyday home. I even get my toothbrush and toothpaste from the hotels just so I don’t have to pack them.

2 swimsuits. You pack one for when you happen upon a hot spring or other body of water and the other becomes your towel. It dries twice as fast as a regular towel so you don’t end up with a bag that smells like mold and mushrooms. Also, if you’re going to warm climate, get yourself a pair of hiking sandals. Those bad boys will be far more comfortable then flip flops if you’re planning on walking any farther then the hotel lobby. The most important thing you can bring though is nothing. Particularly if you’re going to be hosteling it up and carrying  your bag from town to town. Pack what you think you need then eliminate half. Your back will thank you. 

Toilet seat covers! They’re an essential for women who are short, especially on airplanes.  And wearing a comfortable dress or skirt when flying is also a plus. Having your pants crumple into a pool of…well, if you’ve taken long flights, you know what I mean! In addition, I always bring a little purse within my purse to carry travel-sized supplies, like a toothbrush, toothpaste, face moisterizer, and make-up remover sheets. Oh, and my neatly folded supply of toilet seat covers are in there, too. I simply grab my little bag and take it with me when nature calls. My essentials are therefore all together, eliminating the need to take my over-sized purse on that long, long walk down the narrow aisleon the way to the restroom, bumping it into the passengers’ shoulders and heads as I go.

As far as gadgets go, I love my Bose headphones. Not only do they help sooth the soul by reducing the plane sounds, but they also provide great sound quality for listening to music or a movie on flights. Another staple in my travel bag is the Swiss+Tech UKCSB-1 Utili-Key 6-in-1 KeyChain MultiTool. It lives on my keychain with all my other keys and is there for me anytime I might need it. And finally, a staple for any long distance flight is my Mindfold Mask Sleep Relaxation Eye Mask. It totally blacks out the light and has foam padding that surrounds your eyes, letting you open your eyes with the mask on and not mess up your eye makeup.

Packing for a trip would not be complete without throwing in a pack of Immodium tablets and tissues.  I love to try the local food when I travel, even if my stomach doesn’t always agree.  I hate to be at the mercy of my stomach, so I learned some time ago that a pack of Immodium can make the difference between being stuck in my hotel room or out and about enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of a location.  I also always pack a tube of Nelsons cuts and scrapes cream.  I like having one cream that can soothe, heal and protect all at the same time.

While I’d love to say my Bose noise-cancelling headphones are the best gadget and most useful piece of travel gear, they would be left at home if I had to choose between them and my electronic suitcase weighing scale.  Headphones are a luxury but knowing how much my suitcase weighs before heading to the airport is essential.

You’ll never find me with a carry-on that doesn’t include a camera, a notebook and at least two pens.  I would eventually forget if I wasn’t able to brush my teeth for a day but I wouldn’t be able to forget if I failed to capture the smiling Italian grandmother in her patterned dress and baby soft purple shawl as she attempted to tell me something in Italian on the train ride to Pompeii.

It is obvious that you can’t travel without passport, money, crucial meds, and perhaps even a smart phone these days, but the most important piece of travel gear?  I think that has to be a great pair of magic walking shoes – the most sturdy, comfortable, well worn and best you can afford.  Passports, money and medicine are all replaceable – and you might think shoes are also, but shoes that are as comfortable, as supportive and as reliable as a BFF are almost irreplaceable.  You need that special pair of shoes that are well worn in, that have the capacity to give you that extra lift when you have that extra mile to walk, shoes that practically feel like slippers and that allow your feet to go the whole day without complaining.  After the magic shoes…..perhaps that smart phone, mostly for the navigation, information and communication features.  They provide a certain level of protection and give you a sense of empowerment when traveling.  The last thing worth mentioning is water purification tablets which can simply save your life if not your vacation.  The three most important things to think about when considering any travel gear to take is how effective it is in providing comfort, safety and information.

When my husband and I arrived at our game park destination later than anticipated, there was no one at the gate and the punch code did not work. We had to backtrack to the nearest Boer farm and throw ourselves on the mercy of the rough looking locals. They were lovely, called the park for us and got us admitted.

I always pack a sarong in my backpack to use as a towel, sheet, skirt, sunshade, ground cover, tablecloth and/or privacy screen.

To prepare, I scan all my documents (Passport, etc.) and email to myself in case I need to pull it up. I also have added Global Entry to my Passport (do a websearch for this).

To take, I use soft earplugs for both the plane and hotel, eyemask, and BreatheRight nasal strips to help me sleep even in congested places. I also recently bought a blowup pillow made to fit on the tray table at my plane seat, and hope to sleep going to New Zealand, even in the cheap seats.

When we leave the US, I make laminated currency conversion cards for every person on our trip. One side has US Dollars converting to the foreign currency, the other side has the reverse – foreign currency to US Dollars. This helps everyone know what they are paying or haggling over. I once made the mistake of bargaining in Thailand over some old opium weights. I finally walked away because the seller wouldn’t meet my offer. I found out later that I was bargaining over $1.00. My loss! The unique weights were tiny detailed elephants that connected together  – nose to tail – in descending size.
I also have a waterproof pouch that holds our passports, wallet, small camera and phone. This is easy to take to the pool, the beach, hiking in the wilderness – hands down our most travelled piece of equipment. Drysac makes them in various sizes – I’ve used our larger one as a floatation device while on an all day snorkeling adventure in the Phi Phi islands. Never had a leak yet!
We also like to have a small compass – attached to the zipper of a fleece or purse. It’s really handy when you are looking for the correct exit on a subway. It’s saved us countless steps in Paris when you know you need the south exit but you are turned around underground.
Lastly, our newest piece of equipment is a world phone. You buy it outright and only pay for calls you make. The cost of the phone depends on how many countries you travel to. Much cheaper than hotel phones, more convenient in some locations when you can’t find an internet cafe. Comforting to have if there is an emergency, you can be contacted at any time. And the cost is based on local cell  Plus it’s fun to call friends from a pub in Singapore, the Great Wall in China or the top of the Eiffel Tower!
The best thing to bring is spontaneity and a sense of humor. These open more doors than any gadget. Happy travels!

Pre-Trip Prep: Be healthy, eat well, sleep well, take vitamins, exercise, take care of yourself so that when you get on the plane & experience climate changes on your trip your immune system can stay strong. You don’t want to get sick on a trip. So soon as you book those tickets months in advance, start taking care of your health, too.

On the Plane: Good headphones that cancel out noise are a must. There’s research that shows noise cancellation can help prevent jet lag.

For the Trip: A smart phone takes care of almost all issues: communications,cameras both still & video and share it instantly,  calculator, time zones, calendar, addresses, internet search, music, movies, Facebook, Twitter, all your photos even your entire family album!

How to Dress : Wear most comfy shoes & clothes. Always wear your favorites, shoes, jeans, shirt, jacket. Never wear NEW clothes or new shoes that you haven’t had a chance to break in. New stuff is never comfy. Besides no one knows except you whether what you’re wearing is new or not. It doesn’t matter in the scheme of travel. What matters is your comfort.

Don’t Leave Home Without : A Smile & Patience. I travel to Asia a lot, to my home country. I’ve lived in the USA for a long time but when I go back to my motherland, I bring my “Asian spirit” with me. Every culture is different. Adapt to the place as best as you can. Don’t expect things to run the “American way” if you are not in America. Remember the saying “when in Rome….”? Well yes, do that, wherever you go.

On every trip . . . my leatherman (if checking baggage), tissue pack, U.S. embassy ph#s, trailmix/snack, extra pair of undies, toothbrush/paste, pen & paper, passport + passport copies, some money and my camera. Good to go!

There are a few things that I know will make my trip easier, no matter where I’m going or what may arise — a quick-dry travel towel to keep you dry and comfortable; a leatherman can get you out of all kinds of tricky situations and make a quick-fix to keep you moving; a pair of keen sandals takes me from the beach to the mountains and everywhere in between, with my feet secure and safe and comfortable; a dry-bag to keep my camera, journal and important documents safe and dry at times;  toothpaste tabs pack much smaller than a liquid tube and can be used anywhere, anytime; a water bottle to stay hydrated everywhere – just be careful where the water comes from; a voice recorder to save important interviews, which can be done anytime, anywhere; a small notebook to record stories, observations and fit in my pocket. 

Hand sanitizer – When you absolutely, positively have to clean your hands.

Wipes – They’re g-r-r-r-eat!

Advil – There’s always room for A-D-V-I-L!

Visine – Gets the red out.

Camera – Because what happens while travelling, shouldn’t stay there.

MasterCard & Cash – While there will be some things that money can’t buy, for (almost) everything else there’s MasterCard.

Moleskine notebook – For all the news that might be fit to print. 

Travel alarm clock – May take a licking, but keeps on ticking.

Travel laundry tabs – What would you do for clean underwear?

My well-worn hikers – Strong enough for a man, but made for this woman.

Marie
Best gadget for 2012 is the i.Sound Portable Power Max with 5 USB ports.  This one gadget brings portable energy to charge up to 5 gadgets at one time.  Ideal for international travel so that you can charge your ipad, ipod, phone, camera or any other device that can get charged with a USB cord.  Saves space by not having to bring 5 different chargers along on a long trip.  Great for families on long trips so that you can charge the kids DS, ipod, etc on a long plane or car trip!
Next item we all pack/wear are dog tag necklaces that every family member wears on every trip.  Has our name, dob, and emergency contacts back in the States.  Studies show that kids don’t remember key information (names or phone numbers) in an emergency, so this small necklace contains all the information in case we get separated or are caught in an emergency situation.

Intentionally, I have a scan of my pertinent documents and a list of key phrases (for me to speak/for them to read) typed up and ready to be mispronounced.  Though to be fair, those never leave the bag/passport holder that they are stuffed into.  A few rubber bands, a bit of hemp cloth, mini-packets of soap, airline toothbrushes, baby powder, and shampoo/conditioner containers.  Above all of those items, which are more easily obtained in many places, I port a few packets of floss.  I frequent East Asia, and more and more I see floss in hypermarkets, but I don’t like to take the chance.  Besides, in the Marunouchi section of Tokyo (I know, I know, it’s not one of the cheap ones), there’s an American pharmacy that sold it, but for about US$15.  No thanks. 

UNintentionally, a ripped bag o’ coins from various countries that is more luck of the draw, less glad I have those extra five kilograms in my rucksack.  Also, chewing gum, because it and heat make strange bedfellows.  I also learned that signing up for various airline/hotel cards gives you just a bit more leverage in the event of an issue, which is good, but I place them in this category because I have a pocket dedicated to them.  So much for loyalty, ya know?

I never check bags anywhere I go around the world, but the following are necessities in my carryon: My prescriptions, vitamins and Immodium. Extra shoes or sandals after being caught in London with drenched shoes many years ago. Swim suit in case the hotel has a indoor pool even in December. Travel alarm with radio in case of a local emergency. Eye shades and ear plugs especially after staying near a bar during Spring Break in Cancun. Some snacks and nuts and water when I can get it after security.

No matter where I travel I never leave my headlamp or my camera at home! My headlamp is the best gadget for power outages in countries like India, a late night or early morning jog on the beach, or for a reading lamp when your travel companions are already asleep. Also, for me no trip is complete without my camera. I shoot with a Canon 60D and I love it! Photography is just one of my many passions, so taking pictures of a place that I visit really helps me connect with my surroundings. 

The first thing I pack on every trip is enthusiasm for the planned adventure and an open mind. From carefully selecting my carry-on luggage to the contents in my bag, I have mastered the art of packing. Besides my digital camera, smart phone and moleskine notebook, I always pack a couple pairs of ExOfficio’s quick drying underwear and a small flashlight.

Scanning and e-mailing your travel documents is a great idea. I am adding this to my travel to-do list. It is refreshing how technology continues to change and influence our travel experiences.

Next item on my travel supplies to acquire list, a small compass. That item would have saved me a lot of trouble when trying to figure out what direction I was facing while traveling on the London Underground and King’s Cross train station.

Most trips start with my 22″ wheeled upright suitcase. It is large enough to be my main bag but conveniently sized to be a carry-on if the need arises. When the adjustable handle is fully extended it securely holds my shoulder bag, enabling me to roll all my luggage together quickly from point A to point B without worrying about dropping or losing any items. This is especially helpful when I perform my roll-n-run exercise across the parking lot to the gate.

Always in my pocket is a low-tech but must have comfort item used on every trip. We all have one whether we admit to it or not. Mine is lip balm. For some it is their eye glass cleaning cloth. Others have been known to bring a piece of their security blanket, never mind that they are well beyond childhood. Whatever the item is, it provides us comfort while miles away from home. What is your comfort item?

When we plan to travel by car in Europe, we always pack a picnic kit: corkscrew, small spatula (same size as a table knife but with a serrated edge, for cutting meat, cheese, and bread, as well as spreading cheese or butter), disposable tablecloth, zipper closing plastic bags, paper napkins and plates, and plastic cups (not the brittle kind).

A picnic is less expensive and takes less time than two-hour European lunches,  Remember to buy wine, cheese, meats, etc. before noon, as many stores close then for two or three hours.

Cool idea for a contest!

A
Journey of a Thousand Miles…

Any
trip I take begins long before I walk out the front door…

I pull out all my credit cards,
department store cards and other types of charge/debit/ID cards from
my my wallet and tucked them away in our home safe. I bring only two
credit cards with me on the road, plus my passport and visa (if
necessary). Before I leave, I take pictures of my passport plus other
important documents and email them to myself and a family member. I
also send a copy of my flight itinerary to a family member with a
list of numbers where I can be reached at all times and I keep an
electronic copy of my itinerary in my mobile device as well. I back
up everything on my laptop and my mobile device before I leave town.

I carry two wallets. One is a knock-off
designer wallet that I bought on Canal Street in New York City. It
contains some dollar bills, change, a few loyalty cards and some fake
credit cards; the generic kind you receive in the mail. This is my
throw-away wallet. If someone demands my wallet, this is the wallet I
toss to the side, so they have to run to catch it and I can run in
the opposite direction. If they want my purse, at least they only get
two credit cards. (I have to credit my husband for this safety
measure. He’s a retired secret service agent.)

The jewelry I take on any trip is
inexpensive. Even my travel wedding ring is fake. My jewelry box,
with my real stones, is stored in our home safe. Oh yes…my tiny
knife. I take it off my key chain because I don’t want a TSA agent to
swipe it. But I do carry a pocket knife in my checked luggage, buried
in with my tweezers and hair clips. You never know when you need to
open something or cut off a stray string of fabric.

I carry quite a large purse on the
plane. My husband calls it a beach bag. I call it an over-sized
purse. In it, I store everything that is of value to me for this
particular trip: laptop and charger, mobile device and charger,
paperwork, sweater or jacket for the plane, snacks, tissues, a bottle
of water and sample-sized bottles of hand sanitizer and moisturizer.
I also carry some cash in this beach ba…, oops… purse. In my
other, smaller purse, I carry my prescriptions in their original
bottles, passport, visa, more cash, two wallets, sun glasses, make-up
bag with any little liquid samples in a clear plastic bag, an
over-the-counter pain reliever and some tummy meds. I also carry
toothpicks, disposable tooth wipes, bug patches and a laundry stick.

My clothes and an extra pair of shoes
go into my checked luggage. I have found
the most comfortable line of clothing that never
wrinkles. You can ball it up and stick it into the corner of your
luggage and when you arrive at your destination, it comes out
perfect. They sell this line of clothing at Chicos®.
These clothes are called Travelers. The line was created so you can
mix and match the tops and bottoms and the colors are all
complementary. You can dress them up or down with accessories and
shoes. I can spot a woman wearing Travelers a mile away. A smart
woman at that.

Any shampoo, hair gel or other bottles
of liquid go into plastic bags. I have to admit, the best bags for
these items are the laundry bags that hang in hotel room closets.
They’re a little more sturdy than grocery bags, they’re water-proof
and they don’t take up much space. A quick twist with the wrist to
close them off and then you tuck them in between your clothes and
undies. Any spills are immediately contained.

Years ago, I used to worry myself sick
that I forgot to pack something. I used to drive myself (and my
husband) crazy, checking and rechecking my closets, cabinets and my
dresser drawers. I used to make a list and go over it again and
again. I don’t do that any more. If I’ve forgotten something
…anything …when I arrive at my final destination, I will either
ask a family member or co-worker back home to emailed to me – or I
buy it.

This is my list, I built it during my years of travel :

·        
Travel insurance ,Passport,
Travel documents, Photocopy of Passport and travel documents= Scaning and emailing it.  Flip-flops, Windbreaker, Matches, Antibacterial
wipes, Eco/Degradable wipes, Water purifier, Toilet paper, Comfortable walking shoes,
water bottle, Clothes that will dry quickly, Sunglasses, Hat,Thin fabric shirts with long sleeves, Light
colored garments, Ecologic  soap or
detergent for washing clothes, Loose fitting clothes, Towel, Sarong/Pareo/longy, Insect
repellent, Sunscreen, lip balm, Solar flashlight (torch), Compass, Pen, small
notebook, Security pouch, Safety pins, Sewing kit, Plug adapters and voltage converters,
a cube tap, Solar
batteries charger, If you take your Laptop -Solar bag for charging the Laptop, Solar
cellular phone charger.

in any trip before anything as its obvious that travel documents are always a must, one must consider a map of the destination, then the rest would follow.
thanks. manja_billy@yahoo.com

My favorite gadget is my laptop computer.   I use it to communicate with my husband via Skype, to find opening times in a hurry, and to generally plan.  It’s a lifeline to home.

A. What I pack on every trip:
-Waterproof jacket
-Sunglasses
-Chapstick
-Travel journal
-Pen
-Camera and charger
-Comfortable “walking” shoes
-Travel size toiletries, unless I’m traveling domestically, in which case I buy them when I get to my destination
-Maps/basic itinerary
-Zip up hoodie — for chilly nights and/or unexpected change in weather
-Hair band/clip
-Basic make up kit
-Comfortable, loose fitting clothing that’s easily rolled
-Lightweight, comfortable backpack to stuff it all in

B. Best travel gadget:
Compact point-and-shoot digital camera. No iPhones, laptops, pads or GPSs for me. Any digital device other than a camera (and okay, my basic non-smart cell phone, but only for emergencies) is distracting and I feel takes away from experiencing the place I’m visiting.

C. Most useful piece of travel gear:
My backpack — it’s the only piece of luggage I carry, if I can help it.

D. What’s in my carry-on that I know I’ll need
-See letter A. Usually I can fit all that into my backpack for a trip lasting about a week or less. If not, I revise the list until it all fits.

A. What I pack on every trip:
-Waterproof jacket
-Sunglasses
-Chapstick
-Travel journal
-Pen
-Passport and/or ID
-Digital camera and charger
-Comfortable “walking” shoes
-Travel size toiletries, unless I’m traveling domestically, in which case I buy them when I get to my destination
-Maps/basic itinerary
-Zip up hoodie — for chilly nights and/or unexpected change in weather
-Hair band/clip
-Basic make up kit
-Comfortable, loose fitting clothing that’s easily rolled
-Lightweight, comfortable backpack to stuff it all in

B. Best travel gadget:
Compact point-and-shoot digital camera. No iPhones, laptops, pads or GPSs for me. Any digital device other than a camera (and okay, my basic non-smart cell phone, but only for emergencies) is distracting and I feel takes away from experiencing the place I’m visiting.

C. Most useful piece of travel gear:
My backpack — it’s the only piece of luggage I carry, if I can help it.

D. What’s in my carry-on that I know I’ll need
-See letter A. Usually I can fit all that into my backpack for a trip lasting about a week or less. If not, I revise the list until it all fits.

Every trip I pack duct tape.  It comes in handy for emergencies.  Broken luggage, hem some pants, fix something that is leaking.  We have even duct tapped two mufflers when renting a Jeep and mope head.  The best gadget for me is a foldable back pack that folds into a small case.  It comes in handy when you need to carry something more and can carry it on your back.  The most useful piece of travel gear is a travel light jacket the kind that does not wrinkle.  And in my carry on is always an extra oufit, swim suit, food and medicine.   

What do you pack on every trip? –I prepare a folder with any travel docs, maps, itineraries and a customized telephone contact list for all of the venues on my itinerary.  I also pack my daily pill-minder; digital camera; Trac-fone; rechargers for the gadgets; AAA card; health insurance ID; drivers license; passport; journal and a pencil case with extra pens, refills, postcards stamps and backings (I make my own postcards).

What the best gadget?  –The best gadget I own is a universal battery recharger.  It has ports for all the most popular sizes of rechargable batteries and comes with both AC and car adapters that plug into any type of power source.

The most useful piece of travel gear? –My most useful piece of my travel gear is my digital camera.  It serves as my back-up memory, journal, and archive.  I find it particularly useful on genealogy research trips.  Repositories that permit photographing source documents help me save time on note taking and the expense of photocopying.  I carry five memory cards ranging from 16 MB to 1 GB.

What’s in your carry-on that you know you’ll need?  –There are several things I keep permanently packed in my carry-on, albeit restocked between trips:  a dopp, a 1-week pill-minder, a packet of wet wipes, plastic ziploc bags and grocery sacks.

Zip top bags.  I have a handful of sandwich size, quart size and gallon size in every bag I take on any trip.  Zip top bags are amazingly versatile.  They keep your clean things from commingling with accidentally dirty things: Spill a nasty beverage on your lap? Zip top bag!  Step in something disgusting? Zip top bag!  Purchase any liquids while on your trip? Zip top bag!  They keep you organized:  Purchase small items that may possibly get lost in your cavernous suitcase?  Zip top bag!  Need to keep receipts to submit for reimbursement?  Zip top bag!  Break your favorite necklace?  Zip top bag!
Back up battery/noise cancelling headphones.  In the age of mp3 players, smart phones, GPS, eReaders and tablets one can never have too much power.  I have back up batteries both large and small.  These keep the music flowing on those long flights when the kid behind me vacillates between whining and kicking the back of my seat, keep me from abject boredom on long and dismal flights by allowing me uninterrupted access to my eReader and keep me connected to my family while I’m on the road…however far away that road may be from an electrical outlet.  Noise cancelling headphones are for the aforementioned whining kid.

Collapsible water bottle/sugar free mints.  We all know how important it is to stay hydrated and with the liquid restrictions at so many airports (except the airport in Iguazu…where the guard will take your open diet Coke from you before you pass through the metal detector and then hand it back to you afterwards) I find it extremely handy to have a collapsible water bottle with me that I can fill up at a water fountain after I pass through security.  And for those times when I’m out of water and don’t have an opportunity for a fill up a sugar free mint can tide me over until water is found.

I use a Tumi backpack filled with the same items for any trip that requires transportation other than a car. The backpack is expensive, but worth it as it is ergonomically designed to keep my back from aching once I’ve filled it to capacity.

In it, I keep a small first aid kit, and an ace bandage. One never knows when you’ll need a bandage after a sprained ankle in a strange place. I also have some safety pins attached to my backpack. And I keep a small flashlight attached to the backpack, too. Plus an emery board, a small sewing kit, and a couple of days worth of vitamins and my medication. I keep a change of clothing rolled up-usually clothing that I’m going to leave behind if I’m travelling to a third world nation.

I take a roll of duct tape and roll a length around the handle of a hair brush or other object that has a handle. The tape is too heavy in its original package, but not if it’s just a partial roll.  I’ve used the duct tape, notched, to cover a blister forming on my heel and it’s kept the blister intact.

I keep all of my electronic chargers in my backpack. I buy duplicate chargers when I buy an electronic device, so I never have to crawl under my desk to grab a charger, and it prevents forgetting a charger as well.

I bring an empty water bottle and fill it after I go through the TSA line. It’s always good to have some water sitting in your seat back pocket, especially during a rolling delay when the airplane could leave at any time, preventing the flight attendants from serving any beverages duriing the wait.

I carry a couple of bags of mixed nuts that are pre-packaged from Trader Joe’s. If it’s a domestic flight, I’ll buy a pre-mixed salad there, too. I’ve never had a problem with the dressing inside the salad when going through the TSA machines.

If I’m checking a bag, I have a box of pencils and other school supplies that I will bring and leave at my hotel for someone from Pack for a Purpose to pick up and distribute to a school or orphanage.

I always make sure that I bring my travel luggage scale, it has saved us a fortune on our world adventures and the “treasures” that we bring home.  I love my iTouch filled with music, movies and it is my “portable entertainment system”.  My Bose noise cancelling headphones make the flight much more comfortable, I never realized how noisy a plane is till I flew with a borrowed pair!   I have a pair of ultra light inflatable pillows, one for my head and one for my back which makes a world of difference in my comfort on board the flight.  I bring an ultra light cashmere/silk scarf and use it as a blanket on the trip and for brightening up my outfits when we arrive.   My carry-on has my camera, kindle, itouch, headphones, unlocked cell phone (we buy sim cards for the local country when we arrive), spare batteries & chargers, a couple of outfits for myself and my husband (since the airlines seem to like to lose luggage, always a good precaution) copies of travel documents, moleskin & a First Aid Kit.   My purse has in it the following items….sewing kit, small ultra bright flash light, medications (as needed, including Tylenol, pepto bismal tablets, Zicam, etc), a money belt (if we aren’t already wearing them), an collapsible water bottle,   Always better to be prepared and the compression packing bags make like so much easier. 

Actually it depends, when in rail stations the magnetic fields there (electric trains) can and usually does throw your compass off.  Double check the maps that are located in the London Tube system and some of the other major city subways to verify.  Above ground it is a life saver, I carry one in my purse all the time.  You never know when it can be useful

I thank all the previous contributors for their marvelous suggestions. I have added nearly a page of ideas written on the back of my periennial packing list.

The item I don’t leave behind before going on any travels: a mini-sack of Amarillo, Texas label pins. These are inexpensive trinkets, given out by the city’s CVB and Chamber offices. These ”jewels” measure about 3/4″ and display the city’s name over a pair of goldish cowboy boots. And cowboy boots — and Texas — are known all over the world.

We hand these boot pins over when a local person has done something special for us, such as guided us to a location, or served a great meal, helped us out of tricky situation. (An Aside: we don’t stiff on the tip; that is, give these pins in place of tip). After seeing the “boot-ahss!” the receiver will often do some cowboy gesture. There is no language barrier when it comes to cowboys!  The gifting of these pins adds to the fun of a personal exchange. 

There is a carriage driver in Malaga Spain who put one on his tattered sweater; a cabbie in Marmaris, Turkey who passed it on to his grandson; a stylish New Yorker put one on her expensive suit dress after telling us which subway to get on; a retired Irish history professor in Kilkenny who attached it to his scarf after giving us an impromptu tour of the city in the twilight hour; a fellow snorkler in Cancun who showed me the best way to wear a mask and now has an Amarillo pin on his diving pouch……..

I always pack a passport of course and copies of those passports as well.  A crossbody lightweight purse so my hands are free to hold water and maps of sights to see. A phone of course, with an international rate package to avoid unexpected bills at the end of the billing cycle.  And an itinerary of certain highlights I want to see while there and phone numbers or websites to get directions.  Also, if not renting a car, it’s really handy and simple to write down the address on a small piece of paper of the hotel or where I want to go to show a cab driver in case of a language barrier.  If flying out of the country, I like to get a bit of their cash before, but not as much as I am going to need for the entire trip, because the exchange rate is better once there.  Oh and also, I call my credit card company ahead of time to let them know I am going to be in another country to avoid them not accepting a charge because they are afraid it’s fraudulent.  Doesn’t always work, but it does save time.