Day 45: Budapest Hungary.

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Day 45: Monday, January 10, 2010.
Budapest, Hungary.

Today I crashed. I went out and grabbed some food, but other than that I lounged around and read and watched TV. It was good. However, I know you all love listening to me ramble so I've put together something for for you to read. I think at one point I figured out I was going to be "on the road" for 173 days. Now, don't you want to know- what would Amanda pack for 6 months on the road? Enquiring minds are about to be rewarded!

MEDICAL & BATH STUFF:
* 1 RX to prevent malaria in Egypt
* 1 RX to prevent malaria in Vietnam
* 1 RX to treat "traveler's diarrhea" (lovely, no?)
* "Cera Lyte" powder to mix with water to prevent dehydration from above stated "traveler's diarrhea".
* Icy-hot for my knee that I destroyed while working at the Farmington Casino for one month.
* First Aid kit (though like a moron I decided I didn't have room for Day Quil/Night Quil)
* Sun block wipes (so that a bottle doesn't leak in my bag).
* Mosquito spray for my clothes that's supposed to last 6 weeks...we'll see.
* Water purification tablets (reallllly looking forward to using these)
* Toiletries (you don't wanna know)
* Bare minimum in make-up (sad)
* 30 "Water Closet" packets (each packet has seat cover, TP and hand wipe- LOVE these!)
* Refillable ice bag that was stolen from some hospital.

MISC:
* Mesh net that goes over my big backpack to keep people from slashing it! 😊
* An alarm that is supposed to go on my luggage to lock it up in my room- can't figure out how to work it.
* Metal water bottle to be used with above mentioned water purification tablets.
* Travel bed sheet and pillowcase- silk! (in case I stay someplace nasty and don't wanna touch theirs.)
* Travel towel. Same reason. Not silk.
* Rubber doorstop. For security AND already handy for doors that rattle due to wind.
* Various books that I keep exchanging with other travelers, currently have: "The Lost Symbol" (Dan Brown), "Angels & Demons" (Dan Brown), "The Art of Running in the Rain" (not exchanging this one) and "The Bell Jar"- you know, something to lift my spirits. (already passed on "World War Z" and some Dean Koontz book.)
* Laundry gel strips that don't really work- luckily someone gave me some other ones that work great in the tub!
* Waterproof "camera bag" so that I can get the ultimate shot in NZ/Australia
* 3 "packing bags" that you put your clothes in and roll to squeeze air out aka make more room.
* Toiletry kit to organize all my girly crap.
* Mom (hahaha! sorry, made me laugh- also have a copy of her DC along with a note from my doctor saying I'm carrying her ashes in case someone asks me about the suspicious white powder in the asprin bottle.)
* Picture & frame of said Mother. (see PON pics)
* 2 necklaces, both with meaning (though as of right now, 1/17/10, I'm not entirely sure where one is 😞
* 1 $5 Wal-Mart watch, because I know I'll lose/break this soon.
* Sunglasses (and yes, i do wear them at night because my future is so bright)
* 2 pens and 1 pencil and SOMEHOW still have all 3!
* Business cards to force my photography and blog on people.
* Folder with all my travel info and reservations and tickets and such, oh my.
* 1 large swiss army knife. And I know what 3%!o(MISSING)f the gadgets on it do. You may make me your leader now.

ELECTRONICS:
* Can you say "camera"?
* Laptop
* Portable Hard Drive for all the purdy, purdy pictures.
* Converter plugs for: UK, Europe, Egypt, NZ/Australia, Vietnam, China.
* Battery recharger (and 12 rechargeable AA batteries- for my camera you dirty minded people!)
* iPod (that on Day 2 I figured out holds a charge for about 20 minutes, so, dead weight. Expensive dead weight.)
* iPhone (to quasi-quote Heston: "you can have it when you pry it from my cold, dead hands")
* Ethernet cable
* Headphones of course

CLOTHING:
* Small purse, so I don't look like a tourist geek all the time (I probably still do)
* Tote bag- already handy in many ways.
* Under-the-clothes wallet thingy that hurts so I don't use it. That'll change in the hot weather places, sadly.
* Somewhat hard-case computer bag.
* Compact rain slicker
* Winter Scarf (have since picked up 2 more)
* Warm weather scarf- in case I need to cover my head/shoulders/not get arrested by Taliban.
* Insect Repellant Bandanas
* Baseball cap
* Winter cap (have since picked up another one, along with a Santa hat I keep forgetting to mail)
* Gloves- started with 1 set, lost it, bought 2 more sets- both sets now have holes in them.
* Compact shower shoes
* Big ass "European Backpack". Currently weights 44 pounds.
* Normal size backpack for everyday use (with built in wire mesh under material so no one can slash it!)
* 5 sets of socks (started with 7)
* 8 undies, because commando is not an option (also a Heston quote)
* 2 bras
* 1 swimsuit
* 1 swimsuit cover which works great as a "just out of the shower" outfit too.
* 1 weather resistant/insulated jacket (which if 4 layers are worn underneath is warm enough for Europe in winter)
* 3 long sleeve shirts
* 2 thermal shirts
* 1 "my boobs look great in this" shirt
* 3 t-shirts
* 2 sleeveless shirts
* 1 sweater (have since bought one other, it's ugly and will be ditched upon no longer being needed.)
* 1 sleeveless dress. Should look great with my hiking sneakers, need to buy some sandals.
* 1 fleece zip up.
* 1 thermal underwear
* 2 paris of jeans
* 2 slacks (1 black, one cargo)
* 1 pair hiking sneakers

And now you know!

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Comments

[Barb]

dead weight iPod
Amanda, I'm not very savvy about electronics but, theoretically, couldn't you download your music from the iPod to your backup harddrive and be able to play your music on your laptop? You may have already figured that out, perhaps? Couldn't help but think of this when the speakers broke down at the bar (altho' you wouldn't have had your laptop with you, of course). :)

[Chris]

You're addicted to shoplifting in foreign countries?
There's always room for Jell-O.

[AmandaL]

iPod
Yeah, in theory that should work, but my computer isn't acknowledging my Ipod when I plug it in, so I can't get the music off of it. I've heard that you need to replace the batteries after a few years and I'm sure that's it. I have some other music (my favorites are all on my laptop). Thanks for trying to help me figure it out though! :)

[Luna]

Packing Light
Wow, I'm impressed! That's a lot of stuff, but not really, considering a 6-month romp around the world! You go girl!