Packing--Optional Travel Gear--Make life on the road much easier and more comfortable

	PACK-ITŽ FOLDER 15" I pack, some might say cram, most of my clothes into my 15" Pack-It Folder, but larger folders are available in 18" and 20" sizes. Keep in mind that your backpack or suitcase needs to be big enough to fit the Pack-It Folder.
	PACKING CUBES keep your clothing contained and organized. They allow you to find what you are looking for without taking everything out of your bag and stop all your tightly packed rolls of clothing from coming unrolled and ending up in a pile on the floor. A 2-Sided Half Cube is also useful to have to keep your dirty clothes separated from your clean clothes.
	PACK-IT Ž SACS These bags are great! You can keep your towel in the largest one and use the other ones to keep you first aid kit, sewing kit, extra toiletries, dirty clothes, swim suit, or anything else that needs containing organized in your backpack or suitcase. They come in several sizes.
	SHOWER SHOES or thongs/flip-flops help prevent getting foot fungus from the communal showers in hostels. Ultra Soles, pictured left, are great because they pack up so small and dry quickly. I've had mine for nearly seven years and they are still going strong.
	EYE MASK If you are a light sleeper, like me, then an eye mask is a must have. In dorms, people come and go at all hours of the night and often decide it is a good idea to turn the lights on at 3:00 a.m. Go to sleep and stay asleep with a comfortable sleep mask.
	EAR PLUGS Again, if you are a light sleeper, like me, these are a must. I cannot stress this enough. Dorm rooms can be loud when you are trying to sleep. People snore and come in and out of the room at all hours. To ensure a restful night's sleep, ear plugs are essential. I have this kind of ear plugs. They're pretty comfy and the case they come with is handy.
	SMALL FLASHLIGHT/TORCH is handy for finding the bathroom or your bed late at night or reading in your bed after the lights are out in the dorm. The flashlight to the left has 5 bright LED bulbs and uses a crank instead of batteries. Head lamps are a great alternative to a flashlight. They cost more than your standard flashlight but make excellent book lights and flashlights. Check Sierra Trading Post for closeout specials on flashlights and head lamps.
	BOOKLIGHT If you like to read like I do, then a book light is a must have. When you are in the dim recesses of the bottom bunk of a bunk bed, a functional reading light is imperative. Some hostels have little lights for bunks to use, but they are few and far between. Also, this is great to use when you want to read, but other people in the dorm room are trying to sleep and want the overhead light turned off.
	TRAVEL DUCT TAPE You never know when some duct tape will come in handy. Temporarily fix your backpack, shoes, clothes, or anything else that unexpectedly breaks. Hey, you can even use it to remove lint off of your clothes, cover a blister, or hang up your laundry line. There are 101 uses for duct tape and having it in this compact travel size makes it easy to pack in your bag.
	COMPACT UMBRELLA Here comes the rain again! You never know when a shower will catch you unawares. I always keep a small umbrella in my daypack. It has saved me from being drenched on a number of occasions and I highly recommend bringing one with you.
	EYE GLASSES/CONTACT LENS CASE Of course, not everybody wears glasses and contacts, but I do, and I think this one is pretty cool--especially if you need a mirror to help you put your lenses on in the morning. You get an eye glass case, contact case holder, and a mirror all in one!
	TRAVEL PILLOW Inflatable neck pillows are nice for long flights or long train/bus journeys. They pack up small and weigh only a few ounces. The pillow pictured to the left has a removable washable fleece cover, easily inflates and deflates, and packs up into its own pocket.
	CALCULATOR AND/OR CURRENCY CONVERTER Though most countries in Europe use the Euro, there are still several that don't including: Eastern European countries, England, Denmark, Norway, Scotland, Sweden, and Switzerland. A calculator is also handy for keeping track of your budget. I never leave home without one.
	RADIO/CD/MP3 PLAYER WITH HEADPHONES Many people enjoy having music at hand while they're abroad to fill the many hours spent traveling on planes, trains, and buses. If you have an iPod, you might also need an iPod Travel Charger.
	HAIR STYLING APPLIANCES I personally do not need a hair dryer, curling iron, or hair straightening device, but I know some people just can't live without them. If you do need these makes sure you get dual voltage ones and make sure to bring along adaptor plugs. Here is a dual voltage hair dryer and dual voltage curling iron. You can get them with or without adaptor plugs.
	TRANSFORMER VOLTAGE CONVERTER WITH ADAPTER PLUGS Use for razors, radios, digital cameras, camcorder re-chargers, CD players, and other non-heating appliances up to 40 watts that are built for North America and require high-quality electricity. If your electronics/appliances are dual voltage (110-240V), you will just need an adaptor plug set.
	PHONE CHARGER Never be stranded with a dead mobile phone again! It is just three inches long, yet it supplies constant mobile phone power anywhere, providing up to two hours of talk time or 40 hours of stand-by time with one replaceable AA battery (included). Comes with ten adaptor tips (including one for your RAZR or Blackberry) to fit most mobile phones. Perfect for travel, and an essential component of any emergency preparedness kit.
	PORTABLE EATING UTENSILS These come in handy if you are eating your lunch on the run or for an impromptu picnic. Also if the hostel you are staying at has a minimal amount of silverware or has questionable looking silverware, these ensure you have clean utensils to use. Great for cutting loafs of bread and baguettes! Must be in checked luggage.
	FOLD-A-CUP Handy if you ever find yourself in need of a cup, don't trust the cleanliness of mugs/cups at hostels, or like to have a cup handy while brushing your teeth. Holds 7 oz. of fluid. Fits easily in day bag or pocket.
	ODOR ABSORBER Let's face it, it is not always easy to to find to time to wash your clothes. These natural scent pouches absorb odors, not just mask them. It uses natural volcanic minerals to absorb and neutralize strong odors like cigarette smoke. Place inside of your backpack or suitcase to keep your clothes smelling fresh. Dryer sheets also help keep things smelling fresh, if you don't have an odor absorber.
	CALLING CARD Click here to read about some of the different calling cards available.
	JOURNAL AND PEN Writing about your travels is one of the best souvenirs you can bring back from your trip. So whether your adventures are kept in a conventional journal or an on-line blog, write down those memories of your journey. You'll be glad you did!
	HOSTEL CARD VIP Backpackers card or HI/YHA card
	ADDRESSES OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS I usually bring a small address book so I can contact my family and friends while I'm away AND I can write in the addresses of the new friends I meet along the way.