Hey spcfa...Try printing names and address of friends on labels so when you do send postcards, you already have the label and you just stick it on. I have done that in the past

Hi Shar - yes, my SIL turned me on to that trick about 10 years ago, and I do take the labels. But I really like having that internet-based back up of everything Just In Case! Good travel planning (kind of like good survival skills in general) is all about being able to navigate contingencies like a 007. It should look effortless but be based on excellent preparation!!

Things to take:
eyeglasses, extra contact lenses, bandaids, tylenol, benadryl, hand lotion, vaseline, hand sanitizer, immodium, mouthwash. I always have the card of the hotel with the address on it. This really came in handy when I was in Italy trying to get back to my hotel from the metro.

Also take your eyeglass prescription in case you lose or break your glasses while traveling.

Also, if you take any medications, be sure you have the generic name in case you need to replace them while out of the country. Alot of US brand names aren't used outside of the US.

Rather than a prescription, I just take a 2nd pair of glasses.

"if you take any medications, be sure you have the generic name in case you need to replace them while out of the country"

That's a definite to do for us - the two of us carry a good amount of prescriptions, and all are needed on a daily basis. We always carry the 'info, fact sheets' for each with us on every trip out of the country (these are supplied by the pharmacist, with each and every prescription when filled, and they indicate the generic and brand names of the drugs, use, side-effects, and etc.).
Wouldn't leave (our Canadian) home without them!!

An addition -- I mentioned taking a 'spare' pair of eyeglasses in an earlier post -- but I always take the prescription of the current pair as well ... when travelling out of country, especially for some time (i.e., more than a week or two).

An optician can 'read' the prescription from one's glasses, but if the glasses have been terribly broken or lost, the prescription is the ticket to new ones!!

Great post!
I always pack a sharp kitchen knife, small plastic chopping board and keep unused plastic cutlery from the flight. That way if we just want a snack meal without having to sit in a restaurant we can do this in the hotel room.
Of course these are not in my carry-on luggage. Di

Maybe some of you can afford to have a SECOND pair of $400 glasses on hand, but I can't. So, I carry my prescription and hope to goodness I don't lose or damage the glasses I have.

bettyk .... I'm with you. My present glasses just cost me in excess of $900 (Cdn$) ... and there's no way I could afford, or want, to buy two pairs at that cost!!!
The second pair I always take away on trips, is an 'old' one -- it will work to get me by if needed -- but I always have the current prescription on-hand as well -- and hope, like you, it will never be needed!!!!

Thanks people keep them coming.

Sorry I didn't mean to offend anyone. Yes I do have two pair of prescription glasses, plus one pair of prescription sunglasses and I take all 3 when I travel.

Not offended, suze. Just my reality.

"didn't mean to offend" ... none taken here either. But with my 'complicated & expensive' prescription, I was just stating my reality as well.

bettyk~ I guess then I misread your tone when you wrote "Maybe some of you can afford to have a SECOND pair..." that sounded like you think I'm rich or something. Not like I'm driving a BMW!

Let it alone, suze.

I never travel without:

- painkillers (I have a bad back and am prone to migraines)
- travel umbrella
- ebook

I take my most recent "old" pair of eyeglasses. I also use these in the pool or ocean so if there is a mishap my current pair are safe. Also "hard" eyeglass case for extra care.

Great.Keep them coming.

Never leave home without:

1. Camera gear which also includes extra battery and charger, lots of film disks.
2. Prescription meds.
3. Extra pair of glasses which are older model than my current ones but the prescription is about the same. They are in a hard, protective case as mentioned by debsnj.

Never leave the apt./hotel in vacation destination without:

1. Camera gear-same as above.
2. Small, light weight map of city. Love the Knoff Mapguides.
3. Address of apt./hotel just in case we get lost and need help to get back. We have only used this once in China as harder to find English speaking help there- especially in smaller cities.