What's the one thing you wish you hadn't packed? - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**Jen05** · 04-22-2005, 08:54 AM

Hey,

So, I've attempted to start packing for my trip to Europe coming up (leave on May 1st for two months!) I'd like to think I'm okay at figuring out what I need to leave at home and whatnot, but the truth is, I'm sure I'll end up packing something I won't use! What's something you've packed for a trip, and totally regretted bringing or got no use out of? Let me know!

**TimmyJames1976** · 04-22-2005, 09:26 AM

First off.....Welcome!

secondly, damn good question!

**omisan** · 04-22-2005, 10:01 AM

Condoms; when I went on a cruise.

Freakin non-putting-out old people. Hmph.

**TimmyJames1976** · 04-22-2005, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by omisan@Apr 22 2005, 10:00 AM
Condoms; when I went on a cruise.*

Freakin non-putting-out old people. Hmph.

Yikes

**Esterina** · 04-22-2005, 10:20 AM

In Europe, a pair of nice shoes to go out dancing. I ended up never using them. My sandals or snikers were just fine. But I was in Eastern Europe, not sure it would have been ok in Paris though.

One thing I hadn't brought on my first time backpacking was gifts for inhabitants who had me for a meal, where I stayed overnight, or helped me out of trouble. In poorer countries especially, it is highly appreciated. For richer countries : being from Quebec, the usual maple products, and CDs of Celine Dion that can only be found in the province (nop, I'm no fan of hers, but she's popular), jewelry from the First Nations ; for poorer ones : same jewelry, beauty cream, calculators for kids, watch for men, for example.

Elixir · 04-27-2005, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by omisan@Apr 22 2005, 10:00 AM
Condoms; when I went on a cruise.*

Freakin non-putting-out old people. Hmph.

dude...im sorry

**bluepea** · 04-27-2005, 04:07 PM

Atchoum - did you have stays set up or did you just randomly stay with people?

Omi - sorry bout those old people!

I am a habitual overpacker. I don't think I've ever regretted anything yet - except bringing hair dryers and stuff like that cuz I never end up using them.

**d_fresh** · 04-27-2005, 04:46 PM

jeans. I sent them back a just a week into my trip. it was way too hot and they took up too much room.

**Esterina** · 04-27-2005, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Atchoum - did you have stays set up or did you just randomly stay with people?

A little of both. I had made contacts with locals via internet previous to my leaving (on a learning german site), and made arrangements to meet.

But I also met people on the road, who invited me for tea, or took time to show me their town around. That is easier though in small towns. They see a foreigner and get very much interested. Or I simply asked for the time, or some question to start a conversation. They're often shy, and so am I, so it works out great. Also works sometimes even if you don't speak the same language, but then at least have a handy dictionnary for the funniest but at times most beautiful conversation of your life. I called that "communicating with the heart". Makes life more meaningful. :P

It didn't happen daily, but I was always hoping for them.

**benna2** · 04-28-2005, 06:21 PM

I do not think I could live without my jeans...I wear them practically every day. I know they are heavy but I think bringing probably one or two pairs will be okay.

I brought a hair straightner on a trip one time, it wasn't a backpacking trip, so I wasn't really worried about overpacking. But I didn't use it once. So I would leave hair appliances at home!

**d_fresh** · 05-03-2005, 06:11 AM

thats what I thought too. wearing jeans in 40C weather just isn't possible for me. the hottest it gets here is high 20s in the summer.

ch3cooh · 05-11-2005, 07:28 AM

I brought my lacrosse stick with me to Austria because another one of the guys I came here with also plays and he said he would bring his too. Yeah he forgot his and I forgot to pack a ball, so I have to use a tennis ball, which sucks, when I hit the wall. Fortunately I don't have to lug everywhere with me, I can just leave it behind in my dorm room.

**LaurieL622** · 05-11-2005, 09:24 AM

Almost everything I packed besides 2 shirts, a pair of jeans, undies, toothbrush, and my first aid kit (tylenol, bug spray, anti-histamine cream, cold medicine, bandaids). We needed nothing else that we couldn't easily buy! The longer I was away, the more stuff I threw out (and regretted packing). The most useless (and space consuming) item was my sleep sheet.