Comments for the article "What not to take on your trip"

Click to see Fijiman
http://www.indiamike.com/photopost/s...hp?photo=20587
an example of too much luggage

Really, I cannot imagine travelling anywhere without one, even in England. Mine does not have the bulky stuff like pliers / Phillips screwdriver, but nevertheless I use it on a daily basis, for example a blade for peeling fruit and the scissors for trimming my nails.

Besides, what if you couldn't open a bottle of beer in an emergency*?

An old and esteemed trick..

The worst case I have seen was an American family in Homg Kong airport with about 11 pieces of luggage for 5 people. They had stayed past the 72 hour limit and the luggage restriction became 20 kgs not 2 bags. As they attempted to lose weight blenders and aluminum foil came spilling out@! I asked where they were going and they said Bihar for a one year Fulbright. Nobody here is that clueless and that bunch went wacko in several months..

I don't travel anywhere without my swiss army knife! just make sure you put it in your checked luggage on the way in or out (well, leaving India they don't care as I found out).

I totally forgot about mine being attached to my keychain and it got confiscated by German police in Frankfurt....was a whole big to-do being interviewed by the police and filling out a bunch of court papers!

Yep , same for me .Forgot the knife in my pocket and strait through Indian security (oop's ,should i have said that) Next stop Bahrain ,"you have a knife in your bag sir ,please withdraw it slowly " well it was like loosing an old friend

My two cents: Last time I brought two small suitcases. It was really a big pain in the behind to carry 2 of them. Next time I go I am only going to bring one small suitcase. Four to five days worth of clothes was too much, and I had twice that!! Laundry can be done by yourself or by laundry guys every other day or so. So why lug around a bunch of useless clothes that never get worn. I just ended up wearing the 2 or 3 most comfortable outfits and then washing them every other day or so. And you know what? Everyone (Europeans and Israelis) made fun of me that I have the rolling suitcases instead of a backpack. Yes I go on a "backpacker's" budget, but why break my back unnecessarily when I can roll the dang thing behind me? Backpacks hurt your back and make your back all sweaty with no chance to breath and dry out. I found maneuvering the wheeled suitcase behind me easy to do even in Paharganj amidst the massive flurry of cram-packed humanity there. But like I said, one would have been twice as easy as two.

And I thought I made it up all by myself!

And Chad, you're right on about the sweaty back pack. I remember wanting to "have the look" of a "real" traveller in India years ago, and since the advent of wheels on suitcases, you'll never see another one on my back.

I think people look like stingy westerners when I see them dragging their heavy packs around....sheesh, can you spare a Rp to a local to help you?

My kind of travellers! That's only just over two cases per person, and never travel with less for international trips --- rather more, in fact, including the hand-baggage.

Except that, these days I tend to take empty cases to UK and bring them back full to bursting.

Now, Blenders... yes, I have a choice!

I'm glad somebody else thinks like that. What is it with this thing that one is not a real traveller unless you carry it on your back? I may be a weed, but there's no way I can stand up with 20Kg on my back --- but I can wheel it

A lemon or a lime cut in half acts as a perfect plug. just cut it so that its a tiny bit bigger than the hole and press it in.

On my first day as a dishwasher at a fancy restaurant, I asked where the plugs were. Some hoity toity chef said: 'we don't use plugs here, get a lemon'.

I go back loaded. But, that is because I carry necessities, lots of books..

Not bad combination deoderizer and when you get done put it down the disposal and get some more use out of it..

I have got just the item for you! It called First Class in the Magellans site. It inflates to make the whole seat a bed. Weird looking and works..

Could I have a slice of plug with my bacardi coke please....

Hans

Sheets?
Better to have them (of the lightest, thinnest kind).

There were also places where I was glad to have a mosquito net.