"I DON'T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT.....?"
 

MY SENSE OF HUMOR! <BR> <BR>In planning our family spring break to Paris, I've been going over my lists of things to do, things to take, things to leave, etc. In thinking of all the excitement ahead of us (with two teenagers 6,000 miles from home) I suddenly realized the most important thing I needed to take wasn't on any of my lists..... <BR> <BR>My sense of Humor! <BR> <BR>So, what do you never leave home without? <BR>besides the Am Ex card...) <BR>

<BR>A photograph of my beautiful beagle.I hate leaving her for so long,especially as she would just love Paris.

I guess my answer is going to be quite prosaic. In addition to the obvious items such as my clothes, passport, razor, and obvious personl items, I make sure have the following: <BR> <BR>1. a reserve supply of cash or arrangements to get some, and two credit cards. <BR>2. my prescription drugs <BR>3. a spare pair of glasses <BR>4. a list of telephone numbers in case my credit card(s) are stolen <BR>5. a list of my travelers checks' serial numbers carried separately. <BR>(I still carry an emergency reserve of checks even though ATM's are making them somewhat archaic. Still, I have experienced situations where the ATM machine was out of order or my cards would not work.) <BR>6. My favorite shampoo and a wash cloth, because they are rare in Europe. <BR>7. A few feet of stout cord for rigging a clothes line. <BR>8. An alarm clock, plus a spare battery. (I don't rely 100% on a hotel wake up call.) <BR>

Lynne, this must rank with your 'New Years Eve/1999' question for pointlessness.

My camera and 3 trillion rolls of film. <BR>

Inky, and your valuable contributions to this board have been...? <BR>

When traveling with the kids, I make cards that they must carry in their pocket. The card is typed, then reduced in size and laminated. It contains their name, passport number, itinerary, physical description, hotel phone numbers, medication needs, American Embassy phone number, parents name and descriptive information, and anything else that would be helpful if (God forbid!) one of them was lost. Also included is the American Express Platinum Card customer service telephone number. In the event that they are lost and need some money, I would expect that emergency arrangements could be made to get cash to the lost kid, until we get reconnected.

Never leave home without: Swiss army knife-small one. ATM card-better than trav checks. Be sure your pin only 4 digits. Copy of passports. Cheat sheet for currency--available on the web. Spare room in suitcase or spare colapsable bag for items you purchase. Current maps. Leave AmEx at home. Visa accepted at more places. <BR>

<BR>just a slight disagreement here with a couple above posters. We always carry TC for emergency AND one each of our credit cards, including AX and Diners. Was surprised this past summer at how many small places (stores/cafes) took Diners in two separate trips to Switzerland, Denmark, NOrway. We try to use AX/Diners as much as possible, mainly because it forces us to pay it off quickly! And for our frequent flyer programs too. We never use ATM's. But every experienced traveler has learned what works for their individual needs, and this is what has taken us all over Europe, Australia, Japan, Mexico and the good ol' USA.

Thanks for the responses. <BR> <BR>Yes, Dan, I can relate to the trillon rolls of film. <BR> <BR>Bob, I certainly agree with the currency cheat sheet. <BR> <BR>Inky, I would appreciate that if you read my questions, refrain from commenting. I do not sit at home posting questions to please you. Something pops in my mind, I ask it. I'm not on this site trying to be profound. We are all simply sharing information. If you can't contribute in a more positive way, keep your keyboard quiet...

Oops! <BR> <BR>Mispelled "trillion"! Typing too Fast... <BR> <BR>Have a great weekend.

Dear Lynn, <BR>In addition to most of the above suggestions. I always take a flat rubbermaid sink stopper for hand washing. How many times have you experienced the water gradaully seeping out of the bowl before you are finished?

An absolutely open mind, receptive to different cultures, different habits, new things. <BR> <BR>And a face cloth. Most hotels in Europe don't provide them and there is nothing worse than using the end of a towel to try to do what only a facecloth can do properly! <BR> <BR>Lanny <BR> <BR>

A little night light for the bathroom. They can be hard to find in the middle of the night - and you do reach an age when that is important! Dick

Lynne <BR> <BR>Try to refrain from posting anything that just 'pops' into your mind, as a fair amount of what is swirling about in there is irrelevant to this forum. <BR> <BR>As for contributing in a more positive way, well I would direct that one right back at you, bub.

Definitely a return ticket!! <BR> <BR>Have a great time!

Definitely a return ticket!! <BR> <BR>Have a great time!

Despite Inky's pessimistic attitude, I want to thank the people who stopped to answer Lynn's question. We don't travel to Europe very frequently and I actually learned a few new things and will take a few extra items along when we go next month.

I must apologize for Inky, he was rejected by his mother in early childhood.

One thing I have never taken but will in the future: a few sheets of fabric softener or small fabric bags of potpourri to leave in my backpack. No matter how often I do laundry, my clothes always end up with a stale backpack smell, especially in damp weather. <BR> <BR>

Hello Lynn, <BR> <BR>Some things that I take which are important are: EXTRA film, 2-3 large plastic zip lock bags to use when moving from one hotel to the next and my sock/undies are still damp, money cheat sheet, extra film, extra pair of sunglasses, contact lenses, prescription drugs in original containers, extra film, extra batteries for camera and alarm clock, wet naps and 2 pair each of sturdy plastic forks/knives/spoon for our picnics, wash cloth which I throw away at the end of our trip, 2 pairs of GOOD comfortable walking shoes, extra film, bubble wrap for my ceramics that I buy or anything else breakable, 2 credit cards, $50 in the local currency to get started, and about $500 in travelers checks in case of emergency. We use the ATM machines alot and have had no problems. <BR> <BR>Thanks Lynn for your question (and all other questions). I am one of many who appreciate this web site. I have learned a lot from others just as they have. <BR> <BR>Inky, I usually don't respond to negative comments such as yours, but you obviously don't get it. Lynn has contributed in a positive way. Those that are traveling for the first time (or the 10th time like me) learn from questions and answers such as this one. <BR>

Inky gets it, no problem BUT thinks Tony Hughes (Stellarosa) got it right a while back with his 'lame' posting. <BR> <BR>All of you (bar Michael) can cram it with walnuts!

1. Antibacterial wipes! Perfect for unsanitary bathrooms and cleaning up minor cuts and scratches. (TIP: Wet Ones makes "Lunchkins" which come in flat packets that can fit in pockets.) <BR> <BR>2. 7x5 inch spiral notebook. Can write itinerary, addresses of places, phone numbers. Small enough to fit in bag. <BR> <BR>3. Bubble wrap and duct tape for breakable souvenirs. <BR> <BR>4. Business cards - never know who you might meet. Safer than giving out home info. <BR> <BR>5. Swiss Army knife <BR> <BR>6. Snacks for the plane...just in case I don't like what they are serving. <BR> <BR>7. Extra bag for souvenirs. On the flight home, I check my luggage and carry on my souvenir bag. <BR> <BR>8. Finally, my personal alarm. You can buy these at Brookstone or any travel store. It's a combination alarm clock, flashlight, and motion sensor alarm. I hang it on my hotel door and if anyone tries to come in, it releases a high decibal screeching noise guaranteed to drive anyone nuts!

Now Inky, I get enough bad press from this mob, leave me out of your arguments!

This question has been in the "General Travel Tips" forum for quite some time. Why didn't you bother to post your objections there, Inky? <BR>Theoretical question for the rest of us: is it worse to be lazy and surly, or just surly?

not much between them probably Martha. To answer your question, what's the point of replying twice?

Lynn, <BR> <BR>I didn't have time to read every word of everyone's reply to this posting, so if this is a repeat answer, I'm sorry. <BR> <BR>Don't forget to take an electricity wattage converter so you can dry your hair, use an electric razor, etc. But don't try to recharge your video camera battery unless you know for a fact that it is okay to do so. On my first overseas trip to London I tried to recharge my video camera battery on my converter and it totally ruined the converter. I was unable to use the rest of my electric appliances the rest of the trip. Talk about bad hair days!! This was only my personal experience, and I hope the information is accurate . As far as purchasing an electricity converter, most major drug stores carry them. Have an enjoyable trip to Paris. I would love to go myself. <BR>

We also carry with us small packets of hot choclate mix which makes a great hot drink mixed with hot water. My husband and I are both used to having tea or coffee first thing in the morning and most B&Bs don't have room service and the ones that do, cost the earth. <BR>

Definitely antibacterial wipes! A seasoned friend suggested it and they were great. Also strongly recommend making copies of passports, tickets,etc in case.

An extra pair of contact lenses. <BR> <BR>Since I am well beyond legally blind without them, nothing would ruin my trip more than having to wear my glasses.

Hi Caryn! <BR> <BR>I had to laugh when I read your post. I, too, wear contacts and would ABSOLUTELY HATE to have to wear my glasses on vacation. <BR> <BR>In fact, I'm so paranoid about being without, I take 2 pair of spares! I once lost a pair at a water park when my face hit the water coming down a slide. (it was a head-first on your tummy slide) I was not prepared for the impact because I had never done that before. I hit the water so hard it forced my eyes open and, needless to say, my contacts disappeared in the pool. And that was the first day of our trip! We had 4 more days to go and I had no extras. <BR> <BR>So now, I always bring 2 pair just in case some "freak" accident happens, then I still have a backup. <BR> <BR>Thanks for the post, it brought up a fun memory after a long day...

Dear Lynn, <BR> <BR>Having travelled with young children, I would never leave home without that great anti-bacterial soap you can use without water. Also, for the plane, bottled water to drink and warm socks. For the teenagers, headphones and walkman type players. I also want to reinforce the earlier suggestion of laminated cards with your itinerary, hotel names and phone numbers, etc, in case of being separated. It's so easier to get disoriented. Finally, I would not leave home without about $50 in local currency. Seems obvious, but it's so easy to forget something when keeping track of all the details for a family vacation. Have a great time! <BR> <BR>Carol <BR>

<BR>what a sad bunch of wankers....

Lynn: All of the above suggestions are very good. There are two I did not see. One is Shout Spots. They are kind of like the the bacterial wipes but for spots you get on your clothes. I've used them for lipstick and various food spills especially in the car or on a picnic. They help your clothes survive a little longer. The other item I was reminded of because of the backpack comment on clothes smells. On another site someone mentioned a linen spray that Body and Bath works has. They said it was great for perking up jeans on their 3rd day or spraying on hair after a smoky pub and could also help relieve stale smells from packing. Traveling is such fun to share, it is a shame that a few do not get the point. Have a great trip!

Dear Inky...Ink-a-dink..a bottle of ink..the cork fell out and you stink!

topping

wow, Inky has always been a jerk huh

Thnaks for bringing this one up!<BR>Shout wipes<BR>Purell Hand cleaner<BR>small packs of tissues<BR>Excedrin<BR>Immodium AD<BR>disposable lint gloves. Found these at Walmart. Great for all the black clothes we wear.<BR>small flashlight<BR>fold up umbrella<BR>I am sure there's more....