That pack you're borrowing might be OK if you were really going treking... or for a 6-month or round-the world tour.

As above, I think it is WAY crazy for a 16 day in-city trip in Western Europe especially since you've said on other threads you plan to "pack light". That gigantic backpack is not packing light.

Think large "gym bag" size. That's plenty.

My friends gave me a little tiny Franklin Translator one year. It "talks" phrases in a few different languages, I have never used it to "talk" to anyone (I just can't imagine asking a stranger to let a machine talk to it.)
But the word list is all that I've ever needed plus the pronuciation is fairly accurate and it's lightweight.
The best thing about this device is the alarm! I've heard it while it was buried in my suitcase in the other room.
I would have never bought this thing but I'm glad to have it.

Yeah, im gonna go look for a smaller pack today. Dont get me wrong, Im the type of person that would rather bring too much than too litte, but from what I understand, this bag is too much. I think I will go buy a smaller pack at the sporting good store. I dont mind spending 200 or less. Any suggestions. Im a medium build guy, 5'10

yk,

yes, Adam is a hosteller/backpacker, hence my suggestions.

For the budget traveller/backpacker who is packing light, it is often cheaper (and you can bring small travel sizes) and more convenient to pack what you know you'll need then just buy everything with a credit card when you get there :-).

Adam--by the way, looks like it might be raining in Amsterdam on Friday :-(. Hopefully the weather forecast will change (and i hope it's one of those times when it's wrong!). On the bright side, it does look like it will be warming up a bit mid-week!

Im crossing my fingers that it doesnt rain my entire trip, but i will not be deterred. Im def gonna bring an umbrella and some type of shell for rain. It looks like there might be rain

you don't really need an umbrella AND a shell. i'd go one or the other.

rainjackets are nice b/c you they leave you hands-free, however, there are some incredibly small umbrellas out there too (I saw some at target they were the size of the old nokia cell phones!)

Be careful on the umbrellas. I bought one of those really lightweight ones, and it was not at all sturdy. In the wind, it was useless--turning inside out.

I find my Brooks running jacket to work really well. It's really thin so it packs well (into its own pouch). Rain bubbles up on it and it cuts thru wind. You can wear layers underneath.

i think a good jacket with hood is much more efficient than an umbrella. you asked us what not to bring in the original question, i still say an umbrella is one of those things. you can always buy a cheap one if you change your mind and leave it behind at the end of the trip.

most hotels provide good, sturdy umbrellas for their guests... though I prefer a hooded all-weather jacket. Umbrellas are annoying and distracting...

Columbia makes shirts in a nice small plaid which look OK for dinner. They are made out of some kind of pre-crinkled fabric and dry overnight if you wash them out in the shower.
Ditto on the raincoat with hood instead of umbrella. I have naturally curly hair and hate rain as much as the bad witches in Oz, but I ditched the last umbrella 20 years ago. If you can't see out from under the hood, put a little rain hat with a bill under the hood.

well i know the forecast for next 2 weeksw in paris/italy say there may be so im def gonna buy some good gear if it rains( raincoat w/ hood)


Plaid? Lol, comeone now, im 24, not 42 but thanks for the advice

plaid, huh? well adam you did ask about shirts that don't wrinkle -just kidding