stuff to bring during the trip

Hi all, forgive me if my question looks stupid.. my trip is coming closer and it will be my first "backpack" trip alone to a country where I don't speak their language, so I'm getting nervous! Following are things I could think of right now that I should bring along during my trip, please advise and suggest!

- passport, visa, entrance form
- shampoo, shower gel, lotion, sunscreen lotion, insect expel spray, slippers
- ATM card, some cash
- some stomach medicine, aspirin (I never took aspirin before but my friend said it would be helpful)
- a couple of bottled water for the first night & morning, some paper tissues
- LP Mexico
- t-shirts, jeans (anyone used laundry machines in those hostels? are they clean? I guess I need to wash my clothes at some point as the weather down there seems pretty hot already)

anything else? I actually don't have a huge backpack like most of you do (I guess), so I'm planning to put my stuff in a small wheel-luggage that I can drag around and use a small backpack to put waters, camera, etc. Will it be OK to use these when transporting by bus and staying mostly in backpackers' hostels?

Thanks and have a nice weekend!

KK

KK -- Your list looks pretty typical. I don't know why your friend would tell you to bring aspirin in particular. No harm I guess, if you have a headache or something, probably a good idea.

Since I got embarrassingly ill on my first trip in Mexico (after an entire year never having even a bit of a stomackh problem living in China) I carry some pepto and imodium, hoping I never have to use it.

I don't think you need to carry any additional bottled water than whatever you would want for the flight or whatever -- I mean, you can buy bottled water anywhere in any number of little shops in Mexico, very accessible, so don't carry any more than you would carry at any other time.

I don't know how long you are staying, but you'll want to do laundry I'm sure. There should be laundry service/machines available. I wouldn't worry about cleanliness. I assume you'll also have a good pair of walking/hiking shoes and perhaps some sandals for the warm weather. You could certainly buy some cheap sandals in Mexico as well...

I would think you'll be fine on the bus, in the hostel, etc with your roller suitcase, rather than a backpack.

Do you have a spanish phrasebook? probably a good idea, especially if you are traveling alone....

Good luck!

I would take just a little bit of shampoo in one of those travel bottles, it wil be heavy and you can buy shampoo (the same brands) cheaper there. Don't bother taking water either, you can buy it everywhere and everyone drinks it, you could easily buy some in the airport without speaking spanish and it will be about 50p/1US$ for a small bottle (if I remember right).
How long are you going for? If its more than about a fortnight take a tube of travel laundry soap, otherwise don't bother. I would take some flipflops and skip the slippers.
If you don't take aspirin bring whatever painkiller you would normally take, if you never take them don't bring any, they are easy to buy there if its an emergency.
If you are travelling a lot on the bus bring one thick sweater, the buses are air conditioned and too cold I found. Also bring some clothes you would be comfy to sleep in but willing to be seen in on a public bus!
I would wear one pair of jeans and take a pair of thin trousers, take a few t-shirts, one sweater, a swimming costume, some flipflops and comfy shoes for walking around.
If you don't speak a word of spanish take a dictionary so you can at least point to things.
I think you'll be fine with a wheelie suitcase unless you are walking miles in really rural areas. I'd use a shoulder bag for small things so you can carry it where you can see it. Also take a small amount in travellers cheques for emergencies so if you lose your bankcard you can still have some money.

Have fun and don't worry too much! It's a safe place and almost everything you can buy in the UK/US (or wherever you are) is available there.

Thank you for your wonderful suggestions!

I'll be there for 12 days (Mar 6 evening to Mar 18 afternoon) and since this will be my first trip alone, I'm just trying to get things settled as much as possible before I leave as I don't speak their language and I don't know where the market is located and whether it'd be easy to get a hotel room after my arrival in a city there....I just got nervous although I believe the trip will be great!

I'll also bring some Chinese medicated oil with me, ha-ha... that's my cure-for-all~^o^

The TSA ( in the US or traveling through US) will not let you carry water on the airplane. Bottled water is even easier to find in Mexico than China.
I highly encourage you to bring a backpack because you will be moving around so much. Wheeled luggage is just not practical on the cobbled stoned streets of Mexico ( or anywhere else for that matter). That's my opinion.
Jeans might be too "heavy" for the humid weather of the Yucatan and take up weight and space in your luggage.
Hand sanitizer was useful to use when we had no access to water and soap.

Here is what I pack for a week--4 pairs of underwear and 4 pairs of socks, 4 shirts, 2 pairs of pants. On the 4th day I wear my last clean clothes and take everything else to the laundry.

Blue jeans or khaki-type pants?--depends on destination (jeans can be hot).

I carry-on and do not check my bag. Because of liquid/gel restrictions I buy toothpaste and shampoo when I get there. (No shampoo, just wash hair with regular soap.)

Carry passport, money and camera in my pocket. When necessary, I have left my bag at restaurants or just about any place where business is being done and there are cashiers or employees who are not going to be going anywhere and can watch it for me. I just tell them I want to walk around and look at the town, but I don't want to carry my bag around with me. They just take it and put it behind the counter until I come back for it.

I'm going to Tepic for a week tomorrow, so will also be taking a windbreaker-type light jacket.

You might want to take a book along for bus rides.

Skip the jeans. You'll never wear them. Pick up a pair of loose cotton pants from any of the stores. They are about $7.00.

If you're only going to be in Mexico for twelve days, I wouldn't get too stressed out over your wardrobe. You'll be a tourist anyway, and other than something a little respectable (not business clothing, but a shirt or bouse you can wear with pants or a skirt) for visiting churches and museums (and nicer restaurants), you don't need a lot in the way of clothing.

You can get the teeshirts, etc. at your local thrift store and leave them behind (making room for the beads and trinkets you'll be bringing back).

Regular consumer goods (shampoo, soap, water) are in every grocery store and farmacia.

Aspirin? I guess because of higher altitudes and more direct sunlight bother some people, an aspirin a day to thin isn't a bad idea.

2 copies of your travel documents (passport-primary page, visa, FMT) to be kept in separate places in case you lose your originals. A copy may save you a lot of hassle if you have to replace the original(s).

Though the weather may seem hot for you, remember that Mexican buses tend to run the A/C full blast all day/all night and it can get down right chilly.

Bien viaje.

Forgot to mention--I always take an alarm clock/radio.

Put a 100 watt light bulb in a pint ice cream container (sans ice cream). Light bulbs in hotel rooms in Mexico are invariably dim.

Scan your passport as a PDF document and send it to yourself as an email attachment.

Portable face wipes (called WashNDry in the states) are valuable.

I'm in my last days of a 12 day Mexican trip. Took one extra shirt, underwear and pair of socks. Every couple of days, did washing in the sink and they dried during the day. Wore the same pair of trousers the entire time (black of course). It worked out fine.

My luggage weighed just under seven pounds total.

You are right about the lightbulbs in hotel rooms, but what I was thinking (and you just reminded me) was to just wire up a socket and attach a plug to it. If I buy a bulb when I get there, I will have a desk-lamp. Maybe make a base for it out of a coathanger.

Flat disc shaped rubber sink stopper if you want to wash clothes in the sink. They never have stoppers.
Earplugs. Mexico is loud.
Agree about skip the jeans. They take forever to dry. Think tropical humidity, slow drying in all of your clothes choices.
I like long sleeved shirts for sun protection and evenings better than Tshirts.

Wire up a socket? Really? Surely you are joking.
Are we seriously talking about taking light bulbs (even in containers) and rigging up desk lamps from coathangers? No offense but are there better (and safer) ways to spend one's time for example getting out and meeting the people and seeing the country.

I don't sit in bed reading at night down there but the last beach town we stayed had another one of those bare lightbulbs coming out of the wall above the bed.
I went to the trash pile next to the hotel and fashioned a lampshade from a twig and part of a small cardboard box.
Mexican mood lighting.

wow<BR>you guys are awesome! thank you so much

but regarding wiring up a socket myself... ha-ha... I think I'll pass that part! :)

Focus on the things you CAN'T get in Mexico, like your passport, visa, ATM card, and clothes. Things like water and aspirin are readily available in Mexico and I usually just buy them as needed.

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<hr>better (and safer) ways to spend one's time for example getting out and meeting the people and seeing the country.<hr></blockquote>

AMEN!

Read the original post, folks... this is a two week jaunt to the tenth largest industrialized nation and 7th largest tourist destination on the planet. This is not a six month trek across uncharted regions of Afghanistan.

That said, yeah, my first trip or two, I way, way, way overpacked. I still sometimes bring an extention cord with a light socket and bulb for "inconvenient" lighting placement.

That's exactly what I'm talking about, Rich--extension cord and light socket. But I will buy the bulb when I get there instead of trying to take it with me and I figure I can take along a wire coat-hanger to prop it up so the bulb doesn't burn the table-top. I am not joking, Newfie, I figure I can do this job in about 45 seconds and still have time to get out and meet a few people.

We have switched to small wheeled bags and away from packpacks. I have found out they are quite practical in Mexico. I have broken a couple so get a sturdy one with a good handle and larger widely spread wheels.

They work well on concrete, cities, airports and in buildings they are great. The roughest roll was the cobblestones in Antigua Guatemala but even that was OK. The worst is a sandy beach, that becomes a drag, but it is possible. The hardest are sidewalks narrower than the bag, forcing you into the street, also very narrow staircases are difficult.

#19- yeah, try dragging the roller suitcase up/down stairs in Guanajuato. That's what convinced to me to say never again, bought a backpack and vowed to pack ultra light on trips two or less.
Ear plugs & mini travel alarm on the top of my list too. (btw, cell phone doubles as an alarm. don't need to bring both)

The roughest roll was the cobblestones in Antigua Guatemala but even that was OK.

Even in Mexico like Guanajuato there are cobblestone roads too. Those are just brutal on the roll-around luggage. I think those luggage or more desgined to roll-around on smooth surfaces which are commonly everywhere in the US (and most 'developed' countries) where they can better afford to maintain public access roads and sidewalks.

The hardest are sidewalks narrower than the bag, forcing you into the street, also very narrow staircases are difficult.

Not just that but some of the sidewalks are very high off the the street too and uneven from one property to the next.

I think the thing about scanning you ticket and passport, is one of the smartest things I ever heard of!!! You should do that. Also, the regulations for bringing fluids onto the airplane is strikt all over Europe and America, so never mind about that.
When it came to laundry, I stayed for 3,5 week, and we just handwashed everything in the hostel. Much easier and it dries of in a bit. We often foung hangers for laundry right outside our rooms!!
I have written a travelblog about backpacking through the Southern part of Mexico by the way, if you are interested in reading it go to travbuddy.

Enjoy yourself and don't stress

re scanning ticket and passport and putting them on my web accessible email. I have doing this for years and have posted that recommendation of this sight before, but I guess it bears repeating.
Since I am into repitition....might as well say again my method of light packing is to buy clothing from the salvation army, used clothing stores, yard sales etc. and pack those which I give away along the way sometimes "forget" them in a hotel room sometimes give them away(being careful not to insult anyone, because even the poorest Mexicans have a very strong pride and sense of self-worth). by the time I am ready to leave I am down to what I am wearing and perhaps one extra set of clothes. Like others, I have packed less and less over time, I have to really value something to be willing to carry it around for a month.
And I must confess, to a hidden agenda, I then have some room for some of the beautiful textiles and crafts that I find in my travels!

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<hr>Scan your passport as a PDF document and send it to yourself as an email attachment<hr></blockquote>
# 10 great idea. Why do you say as a PDF?

First time to Mexico I packed as if I were going on a safari- ready for any contingency. Over the years, aside from personal documents, I have realized that you can get everything there. You really don't need to take much. We have gone from two big suitcases back in the day, to two medium sized backpacks.

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<hr>I think the thing about scanning you ticket and passport, is one of the smartest things I ever heard of <hr></blockquote>

Oh yes most definately. As for the ticket, most airlines, are issuing e-tickets whereas they charge up to US$50 to issue a paper ticket. So opt for the e-ticket if available and that would be one LESS thing to carrry around.

my passport scan is a .jpg graphic and since I have been using e-tickets, all I need is a saved link and/or cut and paste ticket info from the airlines.
Also think that e-tickets are much easier to change, if need be, than paper tickets.
Also a thought about jeans, although all the chicas wear blue jeans (skin tight!) IMO few things are heavier, hotter, and take up more space than blue jeans. A below-the-knee flowing skirt (with pockets of course!) can be rinsed out and dried overnight and is more cooler and more comfortable than blue jeans.

again, thank you guys, you're so helpful and kind! ^o^

I'm going to see tomorrow if I could buy some cotton trousers and long skirts (as most I have are jeans)... and... ha-ha.... I guess I am just over anxious! @_@

BTW, will it be too crowded with tourists in March (6-18) so I should book hostels in every city I'll be going? (like Tulum, Chichen Itza, Palenque, and Mexico City)...Someone had told me that I should go there first, see the place and then book. But I'm just worried all cheap, quiet and clean places will be full of people (since my budget is $10 to $35 and of course, the cheaper the better)...big sigh///

The OP is only talking about two weeks, so it's not a big deal, but jeans take forever (and a day) to dry when you hang them on the roof to dry... and in the rainy season, fuggetaboutit!

I made a copy of the front page (the picture and ID section) of my passport blown down to business card size when I first started travelling. I had a few laminated to stick in my bags, in case there was ever a question about whose bag belong to whom. And, I carred one with me rather than carrying my "real" passport for the very, very, very rare occasion (so rare, it never happened) that I might have to show my passport to the authorities... if they wanted the original, they could accompany me (and the United States consul) to my residence.

funniest thread iv'e read in weeks. mexico with mood lighting? type a personalities apply here. like rich said, it's two bloody weeks in mexico. we're not talking southern lao here. thanks for the chuckles. edward

One thing I always find useful when travelling... earplugs. Very useful when trying to get some sleep in a noisy location.

A small nail brush,available at drug stores,is useful for keeping your feet looking good and can also be used for scrubbing items of clothing.I also bring a small mosquito net that goes over my head.It weighs about an ounce and keeps flies off my face in the early mornings.Also good for keeping assassin bugs and conenose beetles from biting your face while you sleep,transmitting Chaga's disease,a possibly fatal disease from the damage it does to your heart.It can resurface from 5 to 30 years after the initial bites.The net folds up into a very small space and is good insurance.

I have to second Edylyn here -- I'm not attacking anyone, but I have been very amused following the various comments here, from the homemade light enhancements to the suggestion that the OP might need to prevent Chaga's disease. I think it just shows that there is a lot of differnet Mexico out there, as well as a lot of different things that each traveler finds trip-enhancing enough to become necessary.

KK -- have a fantastic time -- please write up your trip when you return!

thank you all! I knew my starting question might look weird and naive to some experienced backpackers! but thank you all for your great suggestions regarding my first trip alone. :)

I bet I'll have a great time there, especially after I got so much useful information from you guys... you're most kind. :)

It will help your course to mingle with the real Mexican ppl if you take an interest in something that they tend to be very passionate about. A local Spanish phrase book will go along way, but i recommend you go the extra mile.
Perhaps think about packing some soccer boots or a pair of boxing gloves... the Mexicans love their sports.
Having a crack pipe or some sort of artillary is also a certainty to impress the locals.

By following my sturdy suggestions, I'm sure you'll overcome any language barrier you may experience and possibly establish friendships to last an eternity... that's quite a long time you know.

I'm delighted to be part of your amusement and I will be sure to mention you when I receive the Oscar tonight for achievement in set decoration for "A Poorly Lit Mexican Hotel Room".

Did anyone mention bringing a can opener?

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<hr>Did anyone mention bringing a can opener? <hr></blockquote>

I was going to suggest a Swiss Army knife but, I check my luggage. You can't bring it in a carry-on.

but I guess that'd do with check-in? I plan to put my shampoo and lotion in that luggage. My swiss army knife is a bit big, though.. ;0

I'm another one who thinks that wheelie luggage in Mexico is impractical. Mexican streets are very rough, full of cracks and potholes, and often a sizeable 'step-down' onto road level if you're crossing the street.

Add to that the fact that most budget places/hostels that you will stay in are upstairs, sometimes several flights.

And as someone pointed out, Mexican streets are narrow, and in city centres, very crowded, so a backpack is a lot easier to manoeuvre with.

I have the best of both worlds - a case that can be used as either a wheelie or backpack.

For 12 days, I do what 2368 suggests, and just take carry-on. And plan on doing laundry mid-way through. LP lists laundramats, where you can leave your stuff, have them wash and fold, and pick it up a few hours later. A good guide to travelling light is Onebag.com.

I liked Metasequoia's suggestion about scanning important documents and sending copies to yourself as attachments. I haven't done that before, but will in the future. And Bartleby is right. Don't fret too much about what your are bringing. You can get what you need in Mexico. Indeed, once I forgot my prescription medication, called a friend at home for the name which I had forgotten, and was able to buy it at a pharmacy in Mexico City without a prescription.

As for jeans, fine for Mexico City, but in tropical areas, I agree you may find them too hot.

Enjoy your trip.

Carry your passport, credit cards airline Tx in moneybelt or neck pouch under your clothes - NOT in a pocket as suggested by one poster above....

As online email websites are hackable, I send essential pdf copies of documents, cards etc to myself in an encrypted password-protected file....it avoids putting essential identity data in the public domain.

Have a great trip....

AAA Location Book
Airline Ticket
Antacid
Basil (lettuce leaf)
Basketball
Bathroom fixtures
Batteries
Beach Chair
Binoculars
Birth Certificate
Books
Bug Repellent
Calendar
Camera, Flash, Film
Cell Phone Chargers
Cell Phone Guide
Coffee Cups
Coffee Pot, Filters, Coffee
Compass
Cook books
Cookie sheet
Cooking Timer
Cooler
Direct TV Receiver
Dish Towels
Dishes
Duct Tape
Fan Belts
Faucet
First Aid
Neosporin
Cold med
Thermometer
Aspirin
Comfrey Salve
Dental Floss
Tylenol
Flashlight
Frisbee
Glass mixing bowl
Gloves
Hats
Helmet
Horseradish
Insurance
Jumper Cables
King Size Sheets
Lead test
Leashes
Lemon pepper
Light Bulbs
Light fixtures
Liquid smoke
Little Footballs
Maps
Marine Goop
Mask & Snorkel
Measuring cups
Wooden skewers
MONEY
Mouthwash
Needles for air in Balls
New Rash Guard
Oil
Olive Oil
Olives
Passport
Peanut Butter
Phone Book
Pine Nuts
Pizza Pan
Plug
Pruning clippers
Puzzles
Reading Glasses
Rolling Bamboo
Scanner
Scissors
Sesame oil
Short Wave Manual
Short-wave
Short-wave Book
Soccer Ball
Soft Racks
Spanish Dictionary
Spices
Stamps
Stereo, Tapes
Sun block
Surfboard
Swim Fins
Tape measure
Telephone
Tools
Toothbrush
Tow Rope
Towels
Tripod
Tums
Turn Off Propane
Umbrella
Veggie Seeds
Veggie Steamer
Velcro
Video Camera
Video Tapes-VHS
Vitamins
Walkie Talkies
Wasabi
Wax
WD40
Weather thermometer
Wetsuits
Wrist Rocket
Xtra Shoes
Zip Drive
Pickles
Call Credit card co.s
Baseball Gloves
Baseballs
Pickled Ginger
Cassett Player and Receiver
Check Book

I couldn't resist responding to this after what we carried on our last
trip. I think you can see why we prefer good wheeled bags to
backpacks. I am 60 and my partner is 70. She has been using wheeled
bags for 5 years, I for 3. We both prefer wheeled bags over backpacks
now, despite the rough conditions we sometimes travel in....Mexico,
Guatemala, Fiji, Costa Rica, Belize.

---------------------------------------------------
AAA Location Book.......If I was a member I would consider this.
Airline Ticket.....We carry a copy of the ticket and a copy of the confirming email.
Antacid.....Would buy there
Basil (lettuce leaf).......you have to be kidding,,,or do you mean dried...Buy down there.
Basketball.... Not me
Bathroom fixtures....does a leatherman tool count for opening faucets without handles
Batteries......Both AAA & AA Alkaline and rechargables (& charger)
Beach Chair.......thought about it but not seriously.
Binoculars......Yes and used them
Birth Certificate......Drivers licence as a second ID (with Passport)
Books.....2 mexico Guides, Footprint CA Handbook and LP ( I bet that is 4 pounds right there)
Bug Repellent.....DEET
Calendar...........Yes, If it is December I look for giveaways down there to bring home.
Camera, Flash, Film......Polaroid and film camera
Cell Phone Chargers....Not Yet
Cell Phone Guide......Not yet
Coffee Cups......2 20 OZ Coffee Mugs with Lids, one for each of us.
Coffee Pot, Filters, Coffee......Immersion coffee heater, instant coffee, powdered milk and powered chocolate, honey.
Compass........I have been thinking of bringing my GPS.
Cook books.....I have bought down there and brought them home
Cookie sheet.... We take a small cutting Board.
Cooking Timer.......Watch, Travel alarm, timer in PDA
Cooler.........Wet hotel towel
Direct TV Receiver........Not needed, most places have sat or cable.
Dish Towels...Small towels dry faster than big ones.
Dishes.....plastic Bowl, plastic cup, knife, fork, each; 2 spoons(tea and table), sheath knife
Duct Tape.....Yes, and strapping tape
Fan Belts,,,,,No, I don't drive down there.
Faucet.....Haven't needed one yet.
First Aid......Yes, bandaids, tape, gauze, antibacterial salve
Neosporin......Yes
Cold med.......buy down there
Thermometer.......Yes but not recently
Aspirin.......Yes, and Ibuprofin
Comfrey Salve........no
Dental Floss.......Yes
Tylenol........Yes
Flashlight......2, small 2 cell AA and a Photon Micro Light (Recommended)
Frisbee..........Yes, collapsable cloth
Glass mixing bowl..........Plastic bowl for mixing fruit salad
Gloves.........Never needed
Hats........Always
Helmet.......Not needed
Horseradish.....Buy down there
Insurance......Can't afford
Jumper Cables......Don't drive
King Size Sheets......Sometimes we bring sheet blankets made into sleeping bags, or buy blankets.
Lead test..........No, You don't want to know.
Leashes...........No
Lemon pepper.......Buy down there.
Light Bulbs........Yes, a good 100 Watt light bulb.
Light fixtures.......Does a pull chain extender count, for the two outlets on the side, also a small extension cord.
Liquid smoke........buy down there... and the stuff on the street is cooked over real smoke at times.
Little Footballs.....Buy down there
Maps.......I brought 5 with me and bought two on the trip.
Marine Goop.....Not near the water....
Mask & Snorkel....Yes if we were near the water, also an underwater camera.
Measuring cups........Sometimes one of the cheap plastic cups has measuring lines on it.
Wooden skewers...I brought back two bundles of fatwood from guatemala this trip.
MONEY.......Cash and travelers checks. Looking into prepaid cash cards.
Mouthwash......Buy down there
Needles for air in Balls.....No
New Rash Guard.....not sure what that is, nor do I want to find out.
Oil.........Cooking, buy down there
Olive Oil.........buy down there.....I did learn how to process coconut for the oil.
Olives......Buy down there
Passport.....Yes, Yes, Yes
Peanut Butter...... yes, yes, yes...organic peanuts, crunchy, no sugar... hard to find down there
Phone Book.....I bring them home at times. This time I brought back an Industrial Development Handbook from Colima. I tried to mail it and another catalog home, it would have been $30 so I carried them for 6 more weeks.
Pine Nuts.......No, but I bet I could have found them in Colima
Pizza Pan.......I generally don't look for Pizza...
Plug...........If you mean power adapters, then yes. Also an extension cord and the above light fixture.
Pruning clippers......nail clippers, both sizes
Puzzles........We considered buying some made out of nails in the Saturday market in Colima but no. I did have a game in the PDA.
Reading Glasses......Yes
Rolling Bamboo.......Wooden pipe
Scanner..........There is a attachemnt for my PDA that will read barcodes but I don't have one. I have considered bringing a radio
scanner...in fact, replacing the shortwave with a full band scanner
Scissors.........Two pair (one for hair) packed in checked baggage
Sesame oil.......Buy down there if I need it.
Short-wave...........Sony 2002 with 2 pair headphones and a longwire antenna.
Short-wave Book.......I use an internet Cafe and google to find frequencies
Soccer Ball........No, easy to find down there.
Soft Racks......???????
Spanish Dictionary.....Yes, had to buy one last time as I forgot to bring one. I also bring a pocket translator.
Spices......buy down there, small quantities are easy to find.
Stamps.......Buy down there....You need that countries stamps to mail things home.
Stereo, Tapes......Sometimes
Sun block......Always if going to visit the sun.
Surfboard......Not in the last 40 years.
Swim Fins......If I carry the snorkle gear and we are going to the beach.
Tape measure......Yes, a very small one.
Telephone........Not yet....maybe Skype in a laptop next time.
Tools........Yes, I carry tools, a leatherman, small screwdrivers, 6" crescent wrench. etc.
Toothbrush.....Two, one for teeth one for other uses.
Tow Rope........If I were driving down it would be necessary.
Towels.......two Small, one for each of us
Tripod.......I always carry a monopod, rarely a tripod.
Tums......Buy down there
Turn Off Propane.........No, Use the Leatherman.
Umbrella........Yes, small collapsable, and I used it several times both for rain and shade.
Veggie Seeds.......Bring them home sometimes, also mushroom spore prints.
Veggie Steamer.......Buy down there.
Velcro.....Yes, small pieces of peel and stick, along with a small sewing kit.
Video Camera.....Video in the digital camera, used to carry a Hi-8
Video Tapes-VHS.........12 CD-Rs to burn digital photos to (easy to find down there). Used to be 12 Hi-8 tapes
Vitamins........No
Walkie Talkies......Yes, 2 Family service Radios
Wasabi.......We did take a bag of snacks that had wasabi chips in them when we flew down last time.
Wax.......Candle to stick the insense stick into.
WD40........No, but a good idea
Weather thermometer.....I have in the past, I had one as a pull on the zipper of the bag.
Wetsuits......Who wants to go into cold water, no.
Wrist Rocket.....now there is something that will get you into trouble..I used to carry a 14 inch machette in my pack. Haven't tried
it since 911. I also learned how to open cocos with a sharp stick so I don't need it as much.
Xtra Shoes.....Reef shoes and Teva Sandals
Zip Drive.......I did carry a PDA (Visor) and a Keyboard this time but wasn't happy with it. Am considering carrying a small iMac next time since free wireless is starting to pop up.
Pickles......Buy down there if you can find them
Call Credit card co.s.......Book with all the numbers, yes.
Baseball Gloves.......No but a good idea if you want to play with the locals.
Baseballs......No but a good idea if you want to play with the locals.
Pickled Ginger.....buy down there, preserved ginger is a common sweet.
Cassett Player and Receiver.....I take a casette recorder and sometimes a good microphone. Tapes are easy to find.
Check Book.......No, I don't have one.

I also pick up promotional papers, flyers, any maps, some newspapers
and bring that home. Flying back I was informed by Alaska that my
wheeled bag was 64 pounds and they only allowed 50 pounds in one bag
without surcharges. I pulled 15 pounds of Paper and CDs out and took
it as carry on.

I take far to much!!!

In short, Film and Batteries are better and/or
cheaper here as long as you buy brand names (Kodak, Duracell).

We also make a list of what we took, what we used, what we wished we
had and what we wished we had not brought. This gets really refined
after several trips.

Paxton

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<hr>Horseradish.....Buy down there<hr></blockquote>
We can't find that here, either in Morelia nor Pátzcuaro, Paxton. Where do yo get it?

Half the stuff,twice the money.

I might have spoke too soon as I don't really shop for horseradish. I thought I had seen it either at Walmart or Soriana in Colima.

There is a nice little specialty shop that sells importado ( a lot from the US including condiments ) west of the Jardin Libertad (main square) a couple of blocks towards Ah Que Nanshe. This is also in Colima. I haven't looked for horseradish but I would look here.

This is a classic thing that would go on our travel list if we needed it and couldn't find it. I bring my favorite powdered mik because I can't find a comparable product down there.

Rolling Bamboo is for sushi. Jeez. Stamps are for letters I may want to send home with somebody to mail for me. I don't really do that anymore with email and everything. I don't think I have ever seen pitted black olives in Mexico. At least where I go. Need them for pizza. Basil was seeds for planting while there. My list has been formed over many years and things get added all the time (not so much any more) but I don't think I have ever taken anything off of it (faucet, Bathroom fixtures). I do know that if I see it on the list and I don't need it I don't bring it. Paxton, as I'm sure you know, it takes a long time to get a list of everything you need/want. My list acually has a bunch of other stuff on it that people would not understand. Like "Make sure all doctor appointments or other appointments have been canceled before leaving".

From #28:
<blockquote>Quote
<hr>Also think that e-tickets are much easier to change, if need be, than paper tickets.<hr></blockquote>
I have this to say:

e-tickets are fine (and I use them almost all of the time now) as long as there are no trip interruptions and you continue to fly with the carrier that issued the tickets. Twice now, trips I've taken have been interrupted when I've traveled on e-tickets and there was the need to change airlines - and the etickets were not accepted by airlines other than the issuer. Paper tickets are treated like currency and freely exchanged and accepted amongst the airlines, from what I've experienced - etickets are not.

And, regarding the references to scanning documents: I've been doing that for several years now and recommending it to others. I scan into .pdf files my passport, various credit card and identification documents, etc. and send them to myself in an email. We can easily access the internet in so many places these days in the event something is damaged/lost/stolen along the way.

Ine general comment about some of the suggestions of what to take along: There's a point when taking so much with you becomes ridiculous, and I think we've seen some examples of that in this discussion.

Lonford, are you saying that I don't need a faucet or Bathroom fixtures? Instead of beating around the bush just come out and say it.

A number of posters suggested scanning your passport and other documents and e mailing it to yourself so that you could access it anywhere via your webmail. It sounded interesting so I mentioned that on a board dealing with computer programs and they suggested to do so could be disastrous. The said your data could easily be hacked and stolen. I wonder how you could do it securely?

Re: scanning passport and sending to self:
Likelihood, when travelling internationally for extensive lengths of time, of at least one person seeing your stuff, knowing that there's a passport and a plane ticket in it, and at least entertaining the thought, "Hey, I'd take that stuff"--middling to high.

Likelihood of random hacker targeting YOUR email, YOUR attachments, and YOUR passport data: snowball in hell.

You pays your money and you takes your chances.