Packing for a Two Month Trip Step Three

Dear Friends,

I hope this finds you all well. This week I am gathering together the final accessories to pack for my upcoming trip and pilgrimage. This journey I am taking is both a trip and a pilgrimage because it is a mixture of different types of travel; luxury cruise liners, three pilgrimages by bus, one island retreat, one-week sightseeing with my son, Ryan, and three days at a riverside B&B enjoying Michelin Star food.

I welcome you to travel with me and as I travel I will reveal each of the places I am visiting.

However, packing is first. My pile to pack is growing larger every day. I know

this is part of the process of packing. I pile everything up that I might need and then eliminate it, taking only what I really need. I also keep an ongoing list of items next to the collection growing.

This week, in this final step, I am focusing on everything left not mentioned in steps one and two. Remember this list is for a middle-aged woman. Here is my list:

Money and Documentation

1. Passport
   • Plus two copies of my passport that I will disperse throughout my luggage.
2. COVID vaccination card
3. Credit cards
4. Foreign cash
5. Emergency USD cash
6. Travel insurance documentation
   • Included with the travel insurance make sure you have a letter stating that the insurance covers COVID expenses. Several countries need to see this along with your vaccination card to get into the country.
7. Medical insurance card
8. Your own detailed itinerary of the trip
9. Copies of all reservations for transportation, accommodation, and tours
10. Copies of prescriptions, including for glasses/contacts
11. Address book with important phone numbers and addresses in case your phone messes up or gets lost/stolen.

Personal Essential Items

1. Masks
2. Phone and charger
3. Prescriptions
4. Tylenol, Motrin, Benadryl, ect.
5. Band-Aids
6. Vitamins
7. Sea bands for seasickness
8. Kleenex
9. Hand Sanitizer
10. Chapstick
11. Glasses
12. Sunglasses
13. Comb/brush
14. Hairbands and bobby pins
15. Curlers (a few) save on worrying about a curling iron in foreign countries. I just curl my bangs.
16. Hair scissors- I trim my own hair. These can double as regular scissors if need be. Remember if you are flying you will need to pack the scissors in your checked bags, not carry on. If you are traveling by ship, then the blades can’t be longer than seven centimeters.
17. Fingernail clippers and file
18. Clear Fingernail polish and nail polish removal
19. Cotton balls and q-tips
20. Skincare products
21. Hair products unless you plan to use what is available onboard ship and in hotel rooms- which saves on space.
22. Hand mirror that fits in a purse.
23. Shower cap
24. Toothbrush
25. Dental floss
26. Toothpaste
27. Razor- do not pack in carry-ons.

Clothing Not Yet Mentioned in Steps One and Two and Accessories

1. Socks- two pairs to wear with hiking boots
2. Undergarments to include slips
3. Two nightgowns- one to wear while the other is at the laundry. I use the full-service laundry when I can due to long lines at laundry facilities.
4. Lightweight bathrobe
5. Slippers- I tend to collect free ones from nicer hotels and use them till I throw them away.
6. Lightweight jacket with hood
7. Simple poncho for rain that folds up small. This can also be used as a ground cover to sit while on hikes and for picnics.
8. One warm shirt/pullover in case it is chilly.
9. One pair of hiking pants
10. Swimsuit
11. Swimsuit coverup
12. Two neutral-colored belts- I am taking one slim one and one wide one.
13. Jewelry- I suggest a couple of pieces that match everything. For formal, I would wear costume jewelry in case it gets stolen or lost.
14. Watch- this is for onboarding the ship. Carrying a phone is tedious unless you plan to pay the cost for internet and calls onboard ship. However, it is nice to have the time.
15. Lanyards for onboard ship- easier than carrying a purse. All you need is your onboard card which is both your charge card and room key. I have two lanyards in different colors to match my outfits.

Items To Enjoy

1. Laptop computer with charger
2. Journal
3. Sketchbook
4. Pencils
5. Colored pencils
6. Good eraser
7. Pencil sharpener
8. Two pens
9. Whiteout
10. Glue stick
11. Walkman CD Player
12. CDs (Yes, I am old-fashioned and I still listen to CDs.)
13. Noise-canceling earphones
14. Batteries for CD Player
15. Book to enjoy
16. Travel Books and Maps
17. Camera with case, battery charger, and an extra battery

Items for Pilgrimage

1. Rosary
2. Prayer cards or book
3. Travel bible
4. Head covering- one or several.
5. Cover up for shoulders and elbows- I am bringing a variety of neutral colors that fold up small.
6. Purses and Such
7. Passport carriers- there are many to choose from. I like the one that goes around my waist under my clothes. Mine also has the RIFD blocking for security.
8. Small black purse with an over-the-shoulder strap that is lightweight. This is for both casual and formal.
9. Coin purse- where I am going produces a lot of change.
10. Day backpack that folds up small.

Comforts of Home

1. Wine opener
2. Wine glass
3. Travel kettle
4. Travel kettles, and other similar items, are not allowed on ships because of fire hazards. So, I mail mine back prior to boarding and purchase another one after I disembark. Yes, this seems rather extreme but I like my own coffee in the morning. Often times I will donate the kettle to the last place I stay if I am in a different country.
5. Coffee cup or travel coffee mug
6. Spoon- a real one, not plastic
7. Small containers of coffee, creamer, sugar, a few tea bags, and packets of cups of soup

Well, that about does it for packing. Now I will need to put it all in my suitcase and backpack. I will let you know how it turns out next week. That way I can write about my new SwissGear suitcase that my son, Ryan, and his wife, Rachel gave me this past Christmas. Along with that, I will make a last-minute “to do” list for the days just prior to leaving and ideas on how to prepare spiritually for a pilgrimage while juggling last-minute preparations. Until next week!

Yours in Christ Light- Jody