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>