Agreed .

How about a very, very short hairstyle for the trip? Will save enormous amounts of hassle.

Audrey

Or a perm

...or a wig.

Ah hah- but I want to leave my laptop at home! The DVD Player is smaller and lasts longer, and my partner will have HER laptop. I have a Blackberry, so I can access the internet. I always find that I end up using the DVD Player for movies over the laptop as it's smaller and easier to balance on the armrest. Also, I have a few movies and a season of 30 Rock on my Ipod. Then again, I'm used to being in 1st or BF, so this flight will be all new to me!

My laptop is broken at this very moment -it hit me in the knee and the plasma screen is about to die. So if they (Apple) won't replace it, I'm going to have to get a new one, and the idea of dragging a new laptop all over Europe after what happened to THIS one...well, if I don't have to bring it, I'd rather not. Then again, I do usually carry both with me and on my last trip to the UK I ended up using both, so I'm ambivalent about it.

I'll be checking out that website in regards to new clothes and luggage (lightweight carry-on roller bag) and appreciate all info on this subject.
As for ponytails and such, my German Irish round face is too big for me to wear my hair back and I wouldn't consider it in other circumstances, but I may end up doing it on the trip. Or maybe I'll just get an easy hairstyle before I leave. Decisions, decisions!
Thanks All!

...or a stunt double.

How's about I shave it all off? Now THAT would garner some stares, AND it would be creative-looking. LOL!

I think that you have received very good advice.

Speaking as complete novice in this area I still have some thoughts. Share as much as you can with your partner. Make backup plans if your partner's laptop breaks down - as with all the other electronics that you are required to take.

Ditch the DVD player. You lived without it in the past, you can do it again. ie: enjoy the freedom of boredom.

^

Remember.. you're likely going to be in several countries, each of which you are going to want to buy things. You need room to spare in you carryon.

I agree with magic and everyone else who says that you have a lot of things to work out with your partner.

I just finished a 14 day trip to 3 climates with a carry on roller and a laptop bag.

I had

3 pair of jeans in different colors
1 rain jacket
5 tops in various weights
1 "fleece"
medications
laptop
camera
1 fancy black long velour skirt and one black velour jacket ( I had a wedding to go to in there also )
1 pair of walking shoes
5 pairs of socks
10 pairs of undies
IMPORTANT - little packets of woolite
1 hairbrush
mascara and blush
pair of nice boots

Forget all the fancy stuff - this is to be fun. If you need to look the way you look when you go to work every day - this is probably not for you

If i were skinny like you I could fit all that in my carryon too

Rick Steves has a packing list for his tours, which are generally 10-14 days plus air travel http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/womenpack.htm he seems to think you can get all this stuff into a single carryon.

Make sure you wear your bulkier stuff on the plane.

gentle reminder-

no points to be earned for packing strategy.

So I've been lucky enough to be partnered up with thaliajen for this trip! We've been emailing back and forth, so I think things will work out fine in the end. I don't really consider myself a light packer...but I am able to fit a lot of stuff in very small spaces!

I just came back from a month-long trip in 3 countries(Egypt, Italy, and Spain) a month ago and I was able to pack everything I needed in a rollaboard and a backpack(1300cu in). I had with me my laptop, video camera, 2 digital cameras, my cosmetics, and many outfits. I went from 80 degree weather in Luxor to 15 degree weather and snow in Spain and Italy! I had 3 swimsuits, 4 pairs of shorts, countless t-shirts, 2 pairs of flipflops, a pair of tennis shoes, scarf(for visiting mosques). For Spain and Italy I had 3 pairs of pants, 2 evening dresses(one for NYE in Rome), strappy dress shoes, a pair of knee high boots, 2 hoodies, 2 sweaters, a wool peacoat, winter scarf, gloves, and tons of underwear and socks. I don't know how I fit all my stuff in just a 20" rollaboard and a backpack, but I did! So I'm not worried about this weeklong trip, I'm sure I can make it work. I didn't bring a hair dryer on this trip since every hotel I stayed at had a hair dryer. However, I can totally bring a travel hair dryer that I have on this trip. I am very lucky to have very straight hair that drys straight, so I don't NEED a dryer...but it's nice to have.

So far on this trip I'm bring my laptop and video camera(as required by the competition). I think I will bring 4 t-shirts, 2 hoodies, 1 lightwieght gore-tex shell jacket, 7 pairs of socks, daily underwear, a pair of flipflops, my cosmetics, and FT gear(t-shirts, sweatshirts, and jacket provided by Randy). I think i will bring a swimsuit just in case, and a pair of short since they don't take much room, and something to wear to go clubbing, which definitely doesn't take much room. Of course, my camera! Oh, and maybe a mini hair dryer.

I think I can survive with the above items...did I forget anything? All that should easily fit in a rollaboard and a daypack. Just not having the shoes I normally pack will give me space for anything else that might come up. I wonder if I should pack something nice to wear in case all the competitours teams wanted to go out for a nice fancy dinner one night...think that'll happen?

Congrats!! You are so lucky!!

Consider convertible pants - REI has several styles. (Go visit for your correct size then check ebay They are incredibly lightweight, they wash/dry quickly, and they don't take up much room in a suitcase.

Cloudveil makes a lightweight coverup - designed for runners so it's a poly/spandex blend complete with a little zipper pocket. Go for something like this vs a heavy, bulky sweatshirt.

Hair: What about a headband or bandana?

Book: maybe you and your partner can both bring one and then swap? That way you both will have 2 books to read yet without having to pack 2 books.

Ditch the purse and either get a cc holder - those cheapy things you can find at drugstores that hold extra credit cards. Just put your id, necessary cc in it. It'll keep it protected and this way you won't have multiple cards around.

If you aren't going to use/have a backpack consider something like a shoulder/messenger bag.