Female Backpackers Take Note: 10 Tips Worth Reading
This post is by Elana Zygman, one of our contributors.
Planning a backpacking trip this summer? Going alone? Here are a few tips from our resident female backpacker, Elana.
10. A backpack: If you have separation anxiety from leaving those few extra clothes or makeup items behind, this is a must. Make sure you can carry its weight and that everything fits under flight regulations.
9. Nothing Irreplaceable: Pack clothes you won’t mind dragging through the mud, wearing for two nights and two days straight and can’t throw out after since you’ll never want to see those clothes again.
8. mp3 player and a book: Music can be a companion, distraction and great for ear plugs in noisy hostels or buses. Books kill time and are fun to trade in different cities.
7. Bug spray and suntan lotion: Mosquitoes are not your friends. Neither is a big nasty burn.
6. Anti-Bacterial Gel: Although a little dirt never hurt, sometimes that infested squatter toilet isn’t cute.
5. Micro-fiber towel: It’s super thin, easy to pack and dries 10x faster.
4. A notebook: You are going to want to write down directions, emails from your new friends and how to say delicious in the local language
3. A large SD camera chip or external hard drive: Taking pictures is sort of your job.
2. At least two ATM cards: Learn from my mistake where I left my only debit card in an ATM machine and had to be wired money for a month in three separate countries. Hidden emergency cash doesn’t hurt either.
1. A smile: While traveling, what can go wrong, will. Honey attracts more bees than vinegar and smiling is sometimes the only thing you can do!
Image via blueinfaccia‘s flickr stream
10 Comments
Great tips! Quite like this post.
Thanks Cheryl!
I completely agree with the two debit cards, and would add two credit cards as well (and obviously keep them in separate places).
I don’t think everyone necessarily needs to carry a backpack, though – I’m 4’10″ and have had a hell of a time finding a pack that even somewhat fits. After a year and a half of hating it I finally traded the thing in for a rolling duffel and I’m SO much happier!
You bring up a great point. I’m on the short side also and I remember trying on my backpack and nearly falling over because it was too heavy when it was fully packed. I’ve traveled with a rolling duffel and I was happy with it too!
Bug spray is key! That tops my list
I agree! Bugs seem to love me and I really hate them
Great list! However, I can’t get myself to use microfiber towels, I haaate the feel of it! I just double my big huge scarf-sarong for towel use!
Caro from Passport and a Toothbrush recently posted..5 ways we’re cutting costs while traveling
good point!
Megan recently posted..Top 5 Most Singular Villages in Sardinia
Great tips, I haven’t put too much thought into the credit card one but I am now.
Cornelius Aesop recently posted..New Brew Tuesday: Hinterland Saison Farmhouse Ale
Glad to help!
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