FT Competitour competitor needs your help!
 

Okay, I am THRILLED to have been chosen by Randy and FT as a member of one of the 5 teams competing next month in the Amazing Race-type competition/European vacation. My head is already in the game, wondering and planning about and for the tasks we'll be assigned in each unknown destination. So, what's my problem? I need big time help in regards to packing!

I'll admit, I've never been a light packer. But it didn't seem impossible to pack a week's worth (we'll be gone 7 days, I think 2 are travel and 5 are the game?) of clothing and necessities in a carry-on roller-bag and laptop backpack. Then I tried it out. I left for SFO on Friday and returned last night- 3 nights/4 days. I took my roll-on bag and my laptop backpack. Bottom line? It was a disaster!

In my roller bag I barely made it. I packed 2 pair of pants, 5 tops, a pair of sweats, tshirt, nightshirt, 4 pairs of socks, 1 pair shoes, 2 bras and 5 undies, and the various necessities: cosmetics, hairbrush, round brush, toothbrush&toothpaste, curling iron, book, medicine, razor and girly needs:eek: and a purse and a jacket. In my backpack was my wallet, laptop, Ipod, blackberry, camera w/battery, DVD Player with two slim sleeves of DVDs, all the cords needed for the afore-mentioned electronics, a book (#2) and my baggie with antibacterial, and other liquids. Both were FULL. And on the return trip I had to check the roller-bag as it was full of things I bought in SFO. (The return trip doesn't worry me as I plan on buying an extra bag for any souvenirs I find. THAT can be checked w/o worrying about the luggage making it in time for the "race".)

So, I need any and all advice about getting through this week without looking like a hag and having proper clothing enough for a week. I will say that wearing the same nightshirt and sweats every night got kind of gross by night 3, but I can suck it up. My big problem, as I see it, is not knowing what climate we'll be in. Long sleeves? Shorts? Swimsuit? And hand in hand with that is needing electric converters with every possible plug type as we don't know where all we'll be. Also, I usually count on the hotels for shampoo, conditioner and soap. But I remember some of the hotels we visited when I was a teen on a "standard" hotel tour and some didn't have shower curtains, let alone shampoo. I'm NOT complaining or suggesting the hotels are bad in any way- this is an adventure and the trick is going to be adapting to new places, people and things! I'm simply wondering if we'll need our own toiletries.

Seeing as we need to have our laptops, cameras and phones charged, I think we can count on needing at least 4 converters per team, so 2 per person? Also, our hotels aren't likely to be offering converters and things like blow dryers. And yes, I WILL need a blow dryer. I will give up the curling iron in the name of packing space, but we're not savages! ;) And we will be on-camera, so unless I plan on shocking the judges by looking like I do when I wake up each morning (no one wants to see THAT!) the blow dryer and a few cosmetics are non-negotiable. ;)

I will buy a new bag, provided I can find one in time, as mine just is not right for this trip. I am hoping for some sort of light and expandable roller-bag with maybe a way to strap a laptop holder/backpack or personal item onto it.

Any suggestions? Ideas about bags? Packing? Feel free to PM me or post, and I appreciate any suggestions that will lead to help! I'm already thinking of ways to "creatively pack" but can use all the help I can get!:) Thanks!

Lose all the cosmetics, the hair dryer (hotels will provide), the extra hair brush (use just a pocket comb for the week), the razor and all the other junk. Go to Lush and buy one of their round shampoo bars in a tin (Seanik ior Godiva are the recommended ones - both are also conditioners) and use this on your hair, your skin and also on any laundry. It will work fine and you won't need to take soap, shampoo or conditioner. Change your hairstyle for the trip to something easy to manage, such as a simple pony tail.

Socks can be worn for several days. Tops can be worn at least twice, and if the material is suitable can be washed (with your Lush shampoo bar) and hung up at night and worn again the next day.

Shave the electronics as much as possible. Take only one converter and a small power board. Look for one of those charge-everything contraptions, rather than take separate chargers.

I'm sure others can think of plenty more!

Audrey

Also lose the DVD player and the iPod. The trip itself should be enough entertainment.

Get rid of the purse, and reduce your wallet down to a small credit card holder. You do not need 27 different store cards or photos of the family for this trip.

Audrey

Let's start here.
Do you really need 5 tops? 2 pants + 2 tops = 4 combinations = 4 days.
You only need 2 pairs of socks at most. In case one of the pairs is not dry enough in the morning, you'll use the other one. Same logic for underwear.

Drop either the hairbrush or the round brush. Toothbrush & paste should be travel-sized. Do you really need the curling iron? Book should not weigh > 1/2 lb. You don't need the purse.

1 book should be enough. Dump everything out of your wallet unless necessary... and then dump your wallet, because your essentials will fit into a money belt or something like it. Ipod -- Do you really need it? Every time I've taken it, I've regretted, because I never needed it. You don't need the DVD Player +DVDs.

As for cords -- if your some of your electronics are charged using a USB charger, take only 1 or two chargers... make to try them here. Think about what will need charging when.

A single backpack should be sufficient for you for everything listed above. It's also easier to carry, and it heats your back.

Take a travel-sized bottle of shampoo just in case. See if you can dump any other liquids from your bag.

See what I said above on chargers. You don't need converters for most electronics, only adapters. If it says ~100-240VAC, you're good to go. Get a universal adapter for 10-15 bucks. You can save yourself the need for a blowdryer if you wash your hair before you go to bed. See if you can borrow a small(er) laptop. Depending on the hotel, you may/may not get a blowdryer.

I've been advised that the hotels will very likely NOT have blow dryers and/or converters. They're European Standard, clean, a bed and a shower. Above that, we're not advised to expect much. I'm NOT complaining- I didn't think we'd be at Westins! I did the European Standard thing as a teen and am hoping at least that we get shower curtains. That was a huge mess for 3 girls sharing a room in Paris many years ago! I could be wrong and we'll be at wonderful places. But I'm preparing for the worst scenario, just in case.

Yes, unfortunately because of the competition, we need the laptop, the blackberry and the video camera as we must download the video of our tasks each day and email them to the judges (and, after 24 hours, to Flyertalk if we wish!)

I wish my hair was long enough for a ponytail- the back is but not the front. (Maybe with barrettes?) Wow, I haven't worn a pony tail since... 1988! And with naturally curly hair that curls into the ugliest hairstyle ever, I don't think the brush will be going, LOL! Just cutting the curling/straightening iron out is going to make me sad. And I have a very round face, so a ponytail will add ten pounds to my face, but hey, it's not a beauty contest. That said, I'm bringing the barest of cosmetics. No lipstick or mascara, eye shadow, etc. (Though I'm not going to look at any photos taken during this period!) ;)

I do bathe at night as well as in the morning (Especially when trekking across Europe) and wish I could just let my hair dry overnight- my husband, who has seen me after I've fallen asleep on a wet-head said, "You'd scare them to death!" However, maybe a short ponytail, shaped while it's wet will work? We're judged by our videos, so I'm thinking that I'll do the filming and let my younger, cuter partner do the on-camera work!

But, I appreciate the suggestions and you have many points there. About the shirts- for 7 days just bring 3? We're going to be perspiring and never at the same hotel more than one night so drying things might be difficult. I agree that one pair of jeans could be enough, as long as they were kept clean. I agree about the socks- the neat freak in me cringes, but they can be reused. Underwear and bras? Yes, I've done the washing out thing. That's an idea.:)

And I could just buy tshirts along the way, depending on the climate, of course. I'm literally shocked at the amount of space a sweatshirt takes! I get hot very easily so I'm thinking just a lightweight jacket. I just spent Saturday in SFO and went all day in short-sleeves and tied a jacket around my waist. I didn't need it until the evening (and at the wharf in the wind.) So, lightweight jacket or thicker one? Bathing suit? (My fantasy is that we end up in Greece, LOL!)

As for the DVD player, if I can leave my laptop behind (if my partner brings hers) then yes, I'll need my DVD Player. I'm sharing a room for the 1st time since I was 19! I have severe insomnia, so having a small DVD player with headphones will spare my roommate any problems. The Ipod is tiny, not worried so much about that. I've started downloading audio books for that long flight to Europe and the trains, and again, for those long nights when my partner will sleep. I do hope I can find a slim light journal, though. As a writer, I'll want a day by day journal.

Keep up the suggestions- I'm gleaning info from them as I write this. I know what will and won't work for me, and am looking at each suggestion. I think sharing the burden of carrying necessities with my partner will help a lot. I'm also looking online for lightweight expandable roller carry-ons. If I could connect the personal item to the roll-along, it would be easy. And you're right, I don't need a purse. The backpack/small bag can hold whatever I need.

Any suggestions about the roller bag? Brands or stores where they carry lightweight, expandable carry-ons? I'm looking online but it's hard to judge unless you've seen them.

Thanks- great ideas! Keep it up!

It may be easier to pick up a cheap hair dryer there someplace and just toss it.

If possible pack clothing, especially socks and undies, you are ready to throw out. Just toss them. It won't make the bag any lighter to get you there, but will lighten it up during the travels. I often wonder what the hotel people think when I leave jeans, whatever behind.

I have also found using the eagle creek pack it system for shirts and pants I get way more in a limited space then I do without.

Look into one of the universal converters, where all you do is swap tips for all your devices if possible. Can't charge everything at once, but probably won't have to.

For the camera bring regular batteries if you can. Again just toss them as you go, don't worry about rechargers, etc.

Ok my experience is that most of Europe is a lot cooler in March than San Francisico was last weekend. (San Francisco native - frequent Winter early spring traveler to Europe)

Remember when I went on our honeymoon some years ago to Europe and my better half needed to leave about one/half the luggage that she had brought along at the first hotel - which would be the last hotel we would see on our return.

My suggestion over the years was when we are coming home leave everything you did not use behind. Eventually she learned to get it all into carry-on and than began downsizing and re-downsizing the carryon. Hint - on some planes using the expansion of the carry-on negates its ability to fit as carryon. Can assure you this will be the case for most european carriers.

How did my better half get to the point where carry-on would suffice for a couple week trip into various climates and still carry a large camera w/lenses? (Nikon D80) By the purchasing of lightweight travel apparel.

Lightweight gore-tex jacket. Clothing that will wash and will dry overnight. Clothes that will provide warmth and are lightweight. We both use silk undershirts. Hint -the shoes you wear on the plane can be the only shoes you need for the entire trip. They should be waterproofed to negate the need for a 2nd pair shoes as any rain days are going to make you extremely uncomfortable if not.

Sorry to hear about your insomnia. But perhaps the time should be used more productively working/planning your next days documentary. Trust me if your partner dosen't have insomnia also it will not bother them in the least that you are awake. Upload the dvds to the laptop if you are bored. Connect the earphones to the laptop. Listen watch on the laptop.

Update
 

* Majority if not all hotels on this trip (and all our trips) will have hair dryers.

* Computers can be charged with adapters, not converters.

* Showers curtains and/or doors will be at all hotels.

Glad to hear about all that- do you have a source I don't? ;)

Adapters- not THAT is the word I was looking for!

GREAT idea about leaving things behind- underwear and socks are easily replaced. And what a great thing to do with old undies! I believe I bought water-proof spray with my most recent purchase of comfy yet stylish sneakers. I was hoping we'd find a need for sandals, but am guessing Greece and Costa Del Sol aren't on the itinerary. And if they are, I can buy sandals there.

Thank-you. I am indeed aware of the fact that expandable luggage would have to be checked on the return flight. Since we're traveling via train in Europe to different cities, I will probably collect things along the way or mail them home. (We DO have free time for shopping, nightlife, etc., according to the website.) I'm not worried about the return flight- I can check baggage on the way back, just not on the way there. (Well, we COULD but I don't think anyone will.) ;)

Now, to find the right carry-on and lightweight gore-tex clothing! :D I LOVE that people here have so much great advice! Thank-you!!!

Ditch the laptop and get one of the ASUS EEE laptops or something comparable. You can get a 3 pound machine with a 7 hour batttery for about $320 or less, that does almost everything a regular laptop would do. Also, skip the DVDs. If your watching movies on a laptop, go with divx files on one of the Asus EEE laptops. You'll save at least 5 pounds in your bag and a ton of space.

pack all black.

yoga pants are lighter and pack smaller than sweats

I'd pack 3 tops, then wear layers on the plane. long sleeve, light cardigan, and light jacket. Forget about the sweatshirt.

Bring travel size bottle of febreeze, and woolite packets, and look for a laundromat. You can do team strategy planning while the wash is going.

For the nights where there is no hairdryer... wash your hair in the morning and put on a bandana while its still wet. That will at least keep it out of your way.

REI has lots of good travel clothes

A little harder to deal with in the mornings, but sounds like your hairstyle may work with this - bobby pins or barettes, rather than a ponytail. Take the next week and teach yourself how to pin it up, find a hairdresser friend to help, see if your travel partner has a bit of a clue on this. Can you braid your own hair? This might be the time to layer some braids and not worry about it at all.

Pins are smaller and cheaper than worrying about a hair dryer.

As to the rest of it, you are getting some great advice here! Have fun. :)

That's what the laptop's for. We should move this thread to another forum and make it a sticky :D.

Not sure why you can not upload your needs to one computer prior to leaving. If you both need to watch/see something on the plane get an agreement prior to leaving and get a splitter. You really really need to work some things out with your partner and not us or the Mark Twain quote is going to kick in "“I have found out that there ain’t no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them.” :)

In reading the TRIP DETAILS rules it seems to say there would be intraeurope air travel which is going to really limit the size of your carry-on IMO
You might also do well to read some Rick Steves about souvenirs. "If it is more than a shoebox I mail it home."