What else do I need to do? - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

Hollz · 06-13-2006, 01:29 PM

I feel like I’m missing something important
I’m leaving on July 30 to go to Europe for 2 months

-I just got my passport in the mail
-I’m going to go shoe shopping this weekend so I have time to break them in.
-I have yet to buy my backpack
-My travel insurance will be covered by my work
-I’m not getting any shots (do I need any….?)
-I have my plane ticket, and arrival and departure accommodation planned
-I have 2 separate bank accounts set up just in case, a line of credit, and am set to take out my mutual funds for the trip

Should I be preparing anything else? What else should I do? It seemed so far away only a week ago and now it seem like I’m running out of time!

whalley_range · 06-13-2006, 02:08 PM

Shoe shopping???

Hollz · 06-13-2006, 02:09 PM

What's wrong with shoe shopping? I kinda need something to get my feet around Europe!!!

whalley_range · 06-13-2006, 02:20 PM

I'm only kidding.

But being a man, I only see the need for one pair of shoes and I certainly wouldn't go shoe shopping for them.

How many do you women need?

**freespiritz** · 06-13-2006, 02:28 PM

Hey, shoe shopping is important now! I bought my hiking shoes a month or two ago so I could break them in before I try climbing a 14000 footer later this summer. Nothing I own otherwise would have taken me up any form of mountain, so shopping was necessary! Good decision too, because they hurt pretty bad for the first week

Hollz, you'll be fine.

I don't have much to say, but make copies of your documents and leave a set with someone at home, and take a set with you!

Stash up on chocolate or your necessary travel food...

**LostFarmboy** · 06-13-2006, 02:52 PM

ummmmm, lets see:

- have you got bank cards that have the cirrus, plus, or maestro symbol on it?
- have you told your bank you're going overseas so as that they don't freeze your accounts when they see international transactions coming up for no good reason?
- have you stocked up on 2 months worth of any prescription medications you'll need while you're over there? Have you got a letter from your doctor saying that you need the medication?
- Eurail pass
- Are you taking a digital camera? Do you have a decent size memory stick to take with you?
- Ask your doctor about the shots
- Do you have any adaptors so you can plug in chargers?

....that's all the random stuff i can think of for now.

**florencia9699** · 06-13-2006, 02:55 PM

Batteries and bandaids....

That's what I can come up with.

**expatben** · 06-13-2006, 03:20 PM

If I were you, I might photocopy my passport, tickets and bank details and leave them at home. That way should you ever need a copy there is one that is safe.

**LostFarmboy** · 06-13-2006, 03:42 PM

oh, here's another thing - write down the phone number of your bank (including any additional digits you'll need to enter to reach your bank from EU) and put it somewhere safe just in case you lose one of your cards.

**space virgin** · 06-13-2006, 05:15 PM

-Leave enough time to break in those shoes you're going to buy on your shopping trip.
-Extra rechargeable batteries, if applicable
-When you get your backpack, do a trial run a few times and take a nice long walk with it (a couple of miles or so). The first few days of carrying around a backpack can be pretty uncomfortable if you're not used to it, and why waste the time being unhappy and uncomfortable during your trip?
-Remember that 99.999999999% of the time anything you've forgotten to bring with you can be purchased over there. Toiletries, any clothing you can think of, etc.

-Breathe. You'll be fine

Hollz · 06-13-2006, 07:53 PM

Quote:

- have you got bank cards that have the cirrus, plus, or maestro symbol on it?

What exactly is that? Is it an American thing? Or does it count for Canada too?

**LostFarmboy** · 06-13-2006, 08:06 PM

It's a world thing. Cirrus, plus, and maestro are the ATM networks of the world. If you want to get money out of an ATM in Europe, you need a card that can access these networks. To tell if your card is part of this network it will have either a cirrus, plus or maestro symbol on it somewhere. Or you could just ring your bank and ask them. You may want to find out how much the international transaction fees are as well.

**florencia9699** · 06-13-2006, 09:20 PM

Duh! I had actually never thought of that...

Is this the Plus one?? A bit blurry... hope you can see it-

**space virgin** · 06-13-2006, 09:55 PM

^ yes.

**expatben** · 06-14-2006, 03:08 AM

Oh, also you might want to make sure you have the number/adress of your Embassy. Just incase you loose your passport or need some kind of consular assistance. Its better to safe than sorry eh?

**bluepea** · 06-14-2006, 08:51 AM

If you wear contacts, make sure you have extras.
If you're on birth control, make sure you have enough.
You *may* want to consider putting someone (trustworthy) on your account, just in case you have an emergency and need your money accessed from back home.

Hollz · 06-14-2006, 09:24 AM

It's all good- I've got the Plus on both of my cards.

This is all really good advice by the way. Thanks!