Nina66

I'm preparing my travel medicine kit for our trip to Paris this Thursday - or should I say I'm packing enough over the counter meds to equip a small island hospital.

I put in aspirin, non-aspirin, aspirin without aspirin, single strength, double strength, no strength ..... and then there's the Ibprofen, Zantac, Tums, bandaids, mole skin,etc...

I'm only going to be gone for four weeks and I know for a fact that I don't take that many headache, or pain meds in an entire year - no, make that two years.

To use up everything that I am thinking of taking, I'd have to cut myself at least twice a day, have two full blown headaches every day, heartburn after every meal and snack, and numerous other aches and pains on a daily basis.

Why do I do this every single trip? I bring home about 99% of what I have taken. Is it a security blanket? Do I not know that Paris has drugstores with wonderful pain products in it.

I can't remember the last time I took an aspirin. I have probably carried the same package of mole skins (unused) back and forth a dozen times.

All of the above pills fit into a small 2.5" x 3.5" plastic compartmentalized plastic box. Granted it doesn't take up much room, but still......

If I read every book that I packed, I wouldn't have time to see anything once I'm there.

What do you overpack and never use, trip after trip?

Nina

Travelnut

<i>All of the above pills fit into a small 2.5&quot; x 3.5&quot; plastic compartmentalized plastic box.</i>

If this is the worst overpacking problem you've got, well... I just can't talk to you.

ira

ditto.

Surfergirl

I am not the overpacker, my husband is. And I can't get him to even give up the snake bite kit. . . .

USNR

I have been happily married for almost 53 years to one of those over-packing packrats. It's a kind of insecurity bubbling to the surface. Logic or statistical probability have nothing to do with it. Just chalk it up to emotions and an over-restrictive mother of long, long ago. You will survive, thanks to the Band-Aids and aspirin, whether you use them or not.

Patrick

Nina, your post is sort of funny, and it reminds me of traveling to Key West a number of years ago with a friend. He is a real hypochondriac. When he put his stuff in our car, there was a satchel that weighed a ton. When we asked what it was, he said it was all the &quot;medicines&quot; and things for any kind of emergency. We shrugged.
Our first day there, he got a splinter in his toe, from the wood pool deck. He had to go to the drugstore and buy four of five things to &quot;take care of it&quot;. Meanwhile what was all that stuff he took with him if he didn't even have some disinfectant or a bandaid? Maybe he was prepared for performing brain surgeries instead?

Don't forget -- you really can get things there -- unless you're going to the remote wilds of the jungle somewhere. Meanwhile I have here at home the best bandaids I've ever seen (purchased in Switzerland) and some antibiotic spray I got in France that is a &quot;miracle&quot; healer, but can't be sold in the states.

Nina66

I am a BIG TIME overpacker ... the med kit is the least of my problems.

I didn't want to get into this, although they say confession is good for the soul, but the shoes, pants, jackets, tops, earrings (yes, earrings), and even underwear are the real problems.

I should have been born 100 years ago and traveled with those marvelous steamer trunks doing a grand tour of Europe. A maid to pack and unpack would be lovely too.

The DH is an overpacker too. This, added to the fact that I shop, becomes my own worst nightmare.

I am not a clothes horse, I wash things out and tend to wear a few favorite comfortable things over and over, but I have the need (read that as compulsion) to take almost everything that I own.

Each trip we swear (to each other) that we will travel light...RIGHT.

Enough about me, I want to know what you guys pack and repack every trip and never use or wear????

Nina

Simone1

As a newbie on this board, I am beginning to detect a common thread. Is it just my imagination or a lot of posters start hitting the skids a few days before they leave. Does this happen to everyone?

I have not heard Ira hyperventilating yet.

Marilyn

Oh Nina, this thread is SO timely as I pack for our departure in 2 days for 3-plus weeks in England and Paris.

My worst overpacking items are socks, jewelry (especially earrings), and I am guilty of usually taking one more pair of shoes than is really necessary. But I actually do use most of these.

I don't feel the compulsion to take all the clothes in my closet, but I do want to have a little choice. I know I can get along with less, but I want some options! So I usually return with a few articles of clothing that I didn't wear, but I don't mind.

My suitcase is technically carry on size, although it has an extra front compartment that makes it too thick to fit in the overhead so I always check it. But it's small, so I guess despite my foibles I do travel light.

(The one item I keep on packing and not using is one of those resistance bands for working out. I did use it once... Sigh.)

Nina66

Simone, in my case, you're right. I am fine making lists, doing research etc.. months in advance, but when I start laying things out to pack, that is when I get 'stage fright'.

Marilyn, we will be in Paris at the same time according to Kate.

I particularly dislike trips that have dramatic weather changes, mainly heat and rain. Paris in September and the first few days of October can really cause havoc on an overpacker.

I have a good friend who travels to France five or six times a year for three weeks at a time. She packs a small wheelie carry on and a purse, nothing else. She seems to fit a lot of nice and varied things into that little carryon. She sounds like you Marilyn. Her DH told her that she can take anything she wants, as long as SHE can carry it.

Nina

sandals

Being ready for anything is more a state of mind than of packing! Reading your post has helped free me of some of my need to be materially ready for anything. I just wish I know what items it's stupid to leave without.
Bon Voyage!!

Nina66

FYI, just so I don't sound like a complete whimp - that small carpartmentalized box, only has the aspirins type products in it. The other items PLUS my presciptions, diabetic and asthma supplies, take on a life of their own ;-)

Nina

Simone1

Ahh, now I get it. You are worried about your overall health once you are there. I am a diabetic, asthmatic and for added fun, just added arthritis to my list of whines.

I traveled for one month in Europe a few years ago with my sons. Relax, you can do it, and do it well. Just realize that you need to listen to your body while you are having fun. You have to work a little harder with your diet, but it doesn’t mean you can’t treat yourself to good food. If you need to relax with your asthma, hit the cafes. Drink lots and lots of water. I had a grand time, no reason why you won’t.

Marilyn

&quot;Her DH told her that she can take anything she wants, as long as SHE can carry it.&quot;

That's why I work out at the gym.

Nina, we'll be there from the 22-29. Email me if your dates overlap.

marym64

This topic is huge for me... I am an over packer ... need to be ready for everything and anything!

My friend's husbands used to tell them ... don't wory about it if you forget it because Mary will have it... UGH!

NOT GOOD!!!!

My plan and GOAL is to only have my 20&quot; carry-on with small travel bag (NOT OVERSTUFFED) for our 16 day trip in a little less than a month.

It's really strange. Even though *I know* that I am getting better and better at not taking as much stuff as I have always taken ... I still *ALWAYS* take more than I actually need.

On our Alaska trip ... 7 day cruise, followed by a 4 day land tour, we limited ourselves to 1 checked suitcase and one carry-on each ... and I still managed to squeeze things in that I didn't need.

You said:

&quot;To use up everything that I am thinking of taking, I'd have to cut myself at least twice a day, have two full blown headaches every day, heartburn after every meal and snack, and numerous other aches and pains on a daily basis.

If I read every book that I packed, I wouldn't have time to see anything once I'm there.&quot;

I *get that!* There is NO LOGIC to the amount of stuff I *think we may need... gggrrrr....

This is *so funny and so true! USNR you pegged me..

&quot;It's a kind of insecurity bubbling to the surface. Logic or statistical probability have nothing to do with it. Just chalk it up to emotions ... &quot;

I think it has mostly to do with emotions...

Nina, you said:

&quot;doing research etc.. months in advance, but when I start laying things out to pack, that is when I get 'stage fright'.&quot;

I do a really good job packing what is *smart* ... but then I keep sneaking things in there (just in case). It is usually those *just in case things* that are not at all necessary.

My husband has said ... I would just *once* like to actually
*need something*! instead of being *so prepared for everything*!

I am committed to trying to take the least amount possible for this trip. I hope I will actually accomplish it in a way that will make all of the travel in between places a breeze...

I want to remember how wonderfil Europe was... not how cumbersome my luggage was.

good luck to us all as we continue to grow and learn through other's experiences and our own...

marym

susanna

Today I am in the process of packing for our 3 week trip, 2 in the flood zone of Switzerland and 1 in Alsace, France.

My medical bag, which is bigger, 6&quot;x4&quot;x2&quot;deep is always full of over the counter medications, symptoms that I will be too embarassed to pantomime in a drugstore in a language that I don't know.

My biggest problem today is the shoes...always the shoes...hiking boots, tennys for biking, flip flops for hanging around, THEN, the city shoes for walking around, for going out to dinner, the really cute ones that only go with one outfit, but, oh what a great outfit!!!And this is for myself and my DH. If I could only figure out how to wear three pairs on the plane, we would have it made.

Scarlett

Simone, yes. LOL

Nina, very funny. I read this to the Yankee who only gave me That Look, since he is so familiar with anything in the OverPacking part of travel.

I have sort of gotten over the meds overpacking, since I know to take the prescription stuff and advil, Tums and bandaids. I also now carry Immodium, because I want to know it is there if I ever should need it. Knock wood, I haven't needed it yet..but as soon as I leave it at home, I will.
But , I have discovered that pharmacies in other countries are great shopping opportunities, I always 'discover' some new product or something familiar but a bit different and wish I had more when I am home and finally run outl.
My daughter stocks up on a zillion milligram Motrin, I like the stuff like Germolene for itchy bites ( who knew they had mosquitoes in London in Oct?) and then there are the beauty products!
Roc is less in France, Clarins, wonderful skin creams, I look forward to going to the pharmacy in Europe soon

Lutece

Nina, I love your post. I think we are all guilty of this in some way. And I love to pack, don't know why. I think it's an illness! I even love to pack light!

For me, it's the extra pair of shoes that I don't wear. The problem is, there is always one pair I don't wear, but it is mysteriously not always the same pair I didn't wear the previous trip. Like this trip I had this cute pair of kitten heels which I did wear in May but never wore in August. So I give myself a pass since I brought them thinking that I would wear them again.

As for the drugs, I bring the whole lot, just like you. Not only that, but I bring enough for a small army because at the Paris apartment we own and staying in (and also rent) has a little medicine kit there for guests, so since I don't know what's going to be used up, I have to bring ten tons of stuff which requires seemingly hours in the Walgreens or CVS. Which I secretly love. Which makes me an official wacko or hypocondriac or something. I think I just like buying crap at drugstores.

This trip to Paris I was actually missing a heavier sweater, which I wouldn't thought I would have needed in August, but it was actually sort of cold at times, so I could have used something a little more substantial than my array of cutesy little semi-useless bolero-style sweaters that look so cute on people half my age.

The husband usually has more shirts than he needs, but this trip he actually didn't use all his pants. That's a new one.

This trip I also brought an excessive amount of hairspray for no real reason. Which is particularly weird because I rarely use hairspray at home. In fact, I rarely even do my hair at home. I think I imagine I'm going to have extra-super glamorous hair because I'm in Pairs, when in fact it's just as sucky and flat as it was at home.

The moleskin in my kit has never been used. And when my husband needed a bandaid in Germany this trip, I didn't have on in my purse (gasp!) so our friend ran down to some pharmacy and got him like the best crazy gel bandaid thingies I've ever seen.

Oh, and I needed nailpolish remover this trip. We were working on the apartment and I needed to get some glue off my fingers and wrists and my friend suggested nail polish remover. So I went into my handy kit and pulled out the little individually-wrapped remover wipes and...they were dry!! I guess they'd been in my little medicine pack for a few too many years! ;-) I bought some at the Monoprix and left it in the apartment. Husband forgot his belt and bought a cheap one at the Monoprix, too. God bless the Monoprix.

Nina66

Monoprix and Walgreen's, what would I do without them! I'm so glad be part of this group of ovepackers - we have to unite against those 'carryons only' kind of people!

A few years back at CDG after a one month stay in Paris, as we piled out of the cab with tons of luggage, some woman and her husband (?) were standing at the curb with maybe two or three small pieces of luggage. She kept giving me these snotty looks and snickered right at me.
I took an embarased look at our luggage store on wheels, told her that we had been traveling for two months. OK, so I lied and doubled the time. She HAD to outdo me... 'we've been traveling for THREE months.&quot; My underwear and socks would have filled up those teeny cases ;-)

Simone I have been traveling for years with my 'ailments'. I never worry about my health when I'm traveling. If I did, I would never leave home. I have them well under control and probably feel better 'on the road' than I do at home.

Basically I consider myself a healthy person who carries lots of supplies ;-)

You should see what I have in my purse - it's always stuffed to the brim here at home. No meds, but lots of other junk.

Nina

Simone1

All right then, I’m afraid that I have exhausted any little bit of advice stored in my bag of tricks.

I am one of those light packers that complains “I still brought too much”.

Enjoy your vacation.