Ultimate Foreign-Excursion Checklist (UFC)

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Move Over Ultimate Fighting Championships - this is real work! I am giving you the benefit of much trial and error, much research, and much improvisation!

Clothing - (see Packing Like a Girl)
_____1 pair lightweight hiking boots
_____1 pair sport sandals
_____3 pairs of socks
_____4 pairs of underwear
_____3 sport bras
_____1 pair zip-off convertible pants/shorts
_____1 pair convertible pants/capris
_____1 pair sport shorts (to sleep in)
_____1 bikini with dual-use top
_____1 nice-ish tank top
_____1 t-shirt
_____1 convertible short-sleeve/long-sleeve shirt
_____1 short-sleeve button-up travel shirt
_____1 rainjacket
_____1 bandanna (for use as headscarf, napkin, neck-cooling device, etc)
_____1 sunhat
_____1 sarong (to be purchased when I get there)

The Beauty Stuff
_____Brush
_____Travel toothbrush that fits in its own case
_____Small deodorant
_____2-3 disposable razors
_____4 Hairclips
_____6 Hairbands
_____Q-tips (just a few)
_____Small contact lens solution
_____Contact lens case
_____Extra contact lenses
_____Sunglasses
_____Because-I'm-Blind glasses
_____Prescription for both glasses and contact lenses
_____Eyeliner
_____Small pencil/eyeliner sharpener
_____Blush that doubles as eyeshadow
_____Powder
_____Face moisturizer with some sort of SPF protection
_____Lip balm (I prefer nice pretty colored stuff)
_____10 tampons
_____Small tube toothpaste
_____Small bottle sunblock, SPF 5000 (or whatever the highest in your local store)
_____Hand sanitizer
_____Small travel towel (super-absorbent and fast-drying)
_____Nail clippers
_____Tweezer (unless you have one on your Swiss army knife)
_____1 pair stud earrings
_____Extra ring or stud for other piercings
_____A necklace or bracelet or whatever you want
Small bottles for:
_____Shampoo/Conditioner
_____Soap (I like the Camp Suds, they last a long time)

Medical Kit - You can buy one, but it might be better to build your own...
_____Bandaids, assorted sizes
_____Triple antibiotic cream and/or iodine disinfectant
_____Aspirin
_____Chewable Peptop Bismol
_____Immodium - LOTS
_____Antihistamine pills
_____Blister kit and/or Moleskin & Compeed
_____Aluminum space blanket
_____Water disinfection tablets
_____1%!h(MISSING)ydrocortisone anti-itch cream
_____Lidocaine cream
_____Anti-malarial medication
_____Antibiotic (RX only - I got some for Cipro)
_____Insect repellent: consider getting some both for your clothes and your skin
_____Electronic thermometer
_____Sports tape
_____Cough drops
_____Motion sickness pills
_____Birth control (if you think you'll need it)

Documents/Essentials
_____Passport
_____Visas
_____International Health Certificate
_____Photocopy of passport
_____Extra passport photos
_____Money belt
_____Credit cards
_____Travelers checks
_____Change purse and/or small travel wallet
_____Drivers license (decide whether or not you need an International Drivers License, because you'll have to get that before you leave home

Electronics and Such - I favor a less-is-more approach. I don't want to lose or have anything stolen that will break my heart.
_____Digital camera
_____Memory cards for camera
_____Small flashlight
_____Spare batteries for camera and flashlight
_____Digital photo keeper (see The Fun Begins)
_____Watch with an alarm on it
_____Memory card USB adapter
_____Electrical adapter(s)
_____Camera bag
_____Portable bendable tripod (Gorillapods are great)

Pack It All In
_____1 backpack (how big really depends on you; mine is fairly small)
_____1 daypack (great for day hikes or biking)
_____1 small messenger bag (for when you want to look less like a tourist)
_____Waterproof backpack liner
_____2 small travel padlocks
_____1 cord for fastening your backpack (find it with bicycle gear - great for locking your backpack to something - on a train, in your hostel, whatever)
_____Mesh bags to keep things separate: I have one for the following: medical kit; electronics; toiletries/makeup; miscellaneous

Everything Else
_____Swiss army knife (with corscrew, scissors, tweezers, knife)
_____Sewing kit (you can snag one from a hotel)
_____Duct tape (wrap it around a pen or pencil; great for repairing holes in backpacks or keeping shoes together a little longer)
_____Pencils/Pens
_____2 tea lights
_____2 rubber bands
_____Several paper clips
_____Safety pins
_____1 Frisbee (can do double duty as toy and dish/bowl)
_____Pack of cards (I found a great miniature pack at REI)
_____Several plastic zipper bags
_____Large garbage bag (can use to cover things in rain, makes great emergency poncho)
_____Guidebooks (see DIY Travel Guide)
_____Paperback books to read and then exchange
_____Small gifts to give to locals (postcards of home, small bottles of stuff, keychains, pens, etc)
_____Small address book (for the people you plan to write, then add in the addresses of new friends you make along the way)
_____Water bottle (you can stick stuff in here, too, when you're not using it for water)
_____Journal (I love love LOVE Moleskine
_____Sleep sheet (get one that allows you to stuff your clothes in one end to make a pillow)
_____Ear plugs

Also consider
_____Mosquito netting
_____Pick up a lighter when you get to where you're going
_____Creating a "talking book" with pictures of common items, to help you jump the language barrier

I hope this is helpful. I have a printout of this list that I'm checking off as I pack.


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Photos

Gorillapod
This tripod can cling to just about anything!

Miniature Card Pack
What can I say, space is important!

Moleskin
Great for capturing my thoughts so that I can share them with you!

Comments

[amber]

All THAT??? And on your back! Impressive!

[drofykceb]

I guess I'm just awesome like that. And maybe I'm part turtle. Either way, you'll be seeing for yourself when I get to DC tomorrow!

[Snap Shot Stacey]

I'm packing
I'ma packing for a trip too and want to get everything into a 40ltr pack. Thanks for your list. I've read many like it online but it's nice to finally see one written by a female! :D (I've got that tripod too, bought it after my trip to NZ when I realised there were more poles than anything else near what I wanted to photograph. Love it!)