My mind just went to 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover …
You just slip out the back, Jack
Make a new plan, Stan
You don’t need to be coy, Roy
Just get yourself free
Hop on the bus, Gus
You don’t need to discuss much
Just drop off the key, Lee
And get yourself free
I’ve been 50 days on the road! Wow. It doesn’t seem quite real that I’m doing this. I’ve been so lucky the last few weeks … I visited with Debbie (plus Ron, Claudia & Emma) in Paris and with Nadine (plus Pearl and Ty) in Prague. We all grew up together and these ladies have been my best friends as long as I can remember. Nadine also brought me some goodies … Kraft crunchy peanut butter, regular Doritos (she couldn’t get Ketchup) and a new Loft camisole. One just wasn’t cutting it for me. She also brought me some mail that Bryan dropped off. I’m now trying to decipher my pension documents.
Yes, I have the same shirt on. My wardrobe is very limited.
Note to anyone who’s planning to see me along the way. I’d be so grateful if you brought me Ketchup Doritos (buy them when you see them because they’re limited), Kraft Crunchy Peanut Butter and Cadbury Mini-Eggs. A few Bounce sheets for my laundry would be cool too!
A Few More Lessons …
- Buy yourself flowers!
- Have the ice cream, soak your feet and face your fears!
- I’ve been using booking.com when looking for a place to stay … sometimes the studio apartment price is only dollars higher than the hostel price … a private bathroom is priceless
- Always filter on Free Wifi … read the descriptions for things like elevators and AC and proximity to what you want to see, train stations, Starbucks, etc
- Book the next train reservation when you arrive at the terminal … this gives you time to make adjustments if they’re full … I’ve been finding the night trains are fairly booked … things should slow down in September
- I need to stop obsessing over Terror Train when I’m on a train
- There’s sink clean and then there’s laundromat clean … there’s a difference
- Talk to people! They are interesting and have so much advice on many things … shout out to Marisa in Iceland and Moho at the Paris Gare de l’Est Starbucks
- It’s okay to do this
- Looks like Sweden Post has lost my orange backpack … it had my Antarctica Polar Plunge Survivor patch on it … I’ve filed a missing claim and I’m hoping it’s found, but I’m upset … I’ll need to beg Quark Expeditions for another patch
- Sometimes it’s okay to take an Uber and not walk …
- I’m still a princess! Why oh why do I have calloused hands and how do I make them go away?
- Look ahead for concert listings!
- I’m going to miss all the important events at home … this was my Grandmother’s 90th birthday! xo
Updated Luggage …
I knew nothing starting out.
Those are Ketchup Doritos if you’re looking for them for me!
The Packing Ordeal … Bags, Lists & Tips
- The Pacsafe Venturesafe X40 PLUS Anti-Theft 40L Multi-Purpose Backpack bag is great! I took it on my trips to Vienna, Quebec City and Newfoundland. The cons were that the bag itself was heavy and not comfortable to wear for longer periods (eg. trekking through the airports).
- For my electronics and daypack, I reverted to my trusty purple Osprey 36L Sirrus bag.
- The Osprey Aether AG 85 is a great bag too. It wasn’t working for me though during the travel days and having to take it on and off multiple times. I also got stuck in the bathroom stall with it on.
I shipped the orange one home (Sweden Post has lost it) and I got an Osprey Sojourn 80L on wheels with backpack straps and it’s working out fabulous!
The Revisions …
Important Stuff
- Passport / Visas / NEXUS
- International Driver’s License
- Vaccination Record / Yellow Fever Certificate
- Credit Cards
- Emergency Cold Hard Cash
- PADI Certification Cards
- Eurail Global Pass
Electronics
- MacBook Air and mouse
- iPhone
- iPad
- Nikon camera
and lens - Panasonic waterproof camera
Go Pro and accessoriesExternal hard drive- Chargers, USB cables, extra battery power
- Plug in adapters
- Headphones
Selfie stickGorilla tripod- Pacsafe portable safe
- Pacsafe lock
- Pacsafe wallet
Pacsafe change purse
Footwear
- Hiking Boots
- Sneakers
- Flip Flops
Water ShoesHut Slippers- Christian Laboutin Mary-Jane’s
Outerwear
Rain cover for my pack- Gore-Tex
bibpants and jacket - Puffy coat
- Wind jacket
Tilley hat,ball cap and toque- Gloves
- Buffs
Clothes
- Icebreaker base layer (long johns and long sleeved shirt) (1)
- Sports bras (
2) 1, regular bras (2) and underwear (106 pairs) - Hiking socks (
3) 2, running socks (2) and regular socks (2) - Leggings (
2 long and 1 capri) 1 long - Running/workout
outfitLululemon pants (1) - Shorts (2)
Sweater (1)- T-Shirt (
3) brought 1 and bought a Harley Davidson t-shirt in Krakow, Poland - Halter Tops (2) I brought 1 and Nadine brought me another one, so I’m back to 2
- Long sleeved shirt (2)
Zip up hoodie (1)- Fleece (1)
- Hiking pants …
capri, regular and soft shell (3) - Travel Dress (1)
- Sarong (1)
- Scarf with hidden pocket (1)
- Bathing Suit (1)
- Pajamas (1)
Health & Vanity
- Filled prescriptions
Doctor letter and the actual written prescriptionKLM vanity pack … the burgundy Viktor & Rolf one … my favourite and it can double as a clutch for me- Goop (moisturizer, shampoo, conditioner, soap, sunscreen and I will need aloe)
- Minimal make-up (not that much of a hardship as I barely wear any)
- Q-tips, razor, deodorant
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss
- Tweezers, small scissors, sharpener
- Nail file, nail clippers,
clear nail polish - Comb, brush, hair scrunchies/elastics
- Small tissue packs, hand sanitizer, baby wipes
- Travel towels (
face andbody) Travel medical kit andband-aids- Travel blow dryer and iron
Miscellaneous
Pacsafe mesh for locking & storage- Pacsafe bag lock
Airport bag (has a hole in it and I’m ditching it when I get to Europe)Water bottle- Sleeping
bag/liner Walking poles- Headlamp
- Laundry soap (small Tide packs)
Door stop & whistle- Stuff sacks & packing cubes
Emergency kit- Sewing kit
The new travelling me in motion! Nadine took this picture when we were in Prague and I love it!
Jackie is “Mom” to one amazing son, an IT professional and an obsessed traveller. She spends her time reading, golfing at Ladies League and implementing software projects. Jackie has travelled to all 7 continents and 90 countries and is always planning the next destination and adventure!
Great post!
Thank you!
No problem 🙂 check out my blog when you get the chance
I don’t know how you are fitting your packing list into your bags. Great effort. Love your blogs.
All my electronics are in the purple bag and everything else in the big bag. It’s ruthlessly organized with compression bags and stuff sacks!
Love reading your posts. Pacing list is hilarious! Wldn’t think about buying flowers on the way. Travel safe.
I always had fresh flowers around the house. Was walking by and smelled the flowers. Got me some!! Feels like home.
Oooos.. sorry to hear about lost back pack and most of all polar plunge patch. I reckon if you contacted Quark they wld give you them another
If they don’t find the pack, I’ll give them a call. I’m sure they’ll send me another one. How can they lose a backpack? It’s massive!
I’m delighted with your blog! You are my role model! I’m planning my trip to Odessa, Ukraine at September. I’ve already booked a flight and found hotel on http://www.phnr.com with affordable prices and good reviews. I heard so many interesting about this city. It’s gonna be great adventure. Do you think so?
Hi Nataly, I loved Ukraine. I stayed in Kiev. I had no issues with communicating with people or getting around. People are friendly and helpful. I hear Odessa is beautiful. You’re going to have a wonderful vacation!