What To Pack

A Few Essentials
Pack the following essential items: small, retractable umbrella; innoculation record; my doctor's summary of current prescription medications; Handi-wipes; small box of baking soda; deep woods Off! insect repellant with DEET; large detailed road map; flashlight with extra batteries; and last but not least ... a full roll of toilet paper for those long walks through the forest.

A Few Small Items
A few items that I try to include are a small credit card-sized calculator for currency calculations and the like, a small handheld compass, and an extra pair of prescription glasses plus a copy of my lens prescription.

All-Purpose Cream 
Never leave home without Nappy (diaper) rash cream such as Drapolene. It is a cure for all manner of things including insect bites, sunburn, and chafing after a long day's trekking in hot climates. You may get a few laughs when you take it out, but you'll be the one laughing in the end.

And to Find Those Contact Lenses
Contact lens users: Always have a small torch with some fresh batteries in your luggage (placed right on top). If you have ever spent an hour creeping around on the floor of a hotel bathroom, you will never travel without one again! (Keeping the light beam parallel to the surface you are checking will make your search easier.)

Animal Crackers
Pack Animal Crackers with you when you travel by air. If your stomach starts to feel funny, they are much better than peanuts. Also you never know when you might sit next to a small child who needs some comfort.

Another Reason to Pack Safety Pins
Safety pins - good to fasten on the zip of your day pack (like a padlock) preventing it from being opened by thieves!

Bandana
Be sure to take along the most versatile piece of cloth there is, the bandana. It can be used to clean up spills, as a washcloth, as a sunblock/scarf for your head, a sweatband, a handkerchief, a sling, a tourniquet, a bra and to tie things together.

Bar Shampoo
It is now possible to buy shampoo in a bar form, like you would soap. It's one less bottle to worry about exploding, and it lasts for 40-50 shampoos. 

Beverages to Take With You
When travelling from Canada or the U.S. always take your own pop, powdered juices etc. They are very expensive in other countries. Then you have empty space to bring home your souvenirs.

Binder Clips to the Rescue
Take a few small metal binder clips (the ones you'll find in the office supplies store) to use in the place of clothespins ... They're a lot smaller and sturdier than plastic clothespins and some wooden ones.

Birthday Cake Candle
Always pack a 'birthday cake candle' - as you know that rubbing the candle wax along the zipper actually smoothens the travelling of the zip. Incidentally, if in emergency, and you do not have a candle handy, you can also use a cake of soap to rub on the zipper. Make sure the soap is DRY or just very, very slightly moist when you do it - you wouldn't want to be walking around with soap bubbles at your crotch !!

Black Marker
A large-tipped black marker comes in handy not only for addressing packages going back home you might mail, but also it polishes shoes scuffed by walking those cobblestone streets.

Bottled Water
Always bring some bottled water. It's good to stay hydrated on long flights and it may be hard to get enough water. Also, it may be hard to find a drinking fountain with drinkable water in an airport.