I’m going to be leaving on a two month bus trip here in March. We’re spending the night at hotels along the way, sometimes one night, and sometimes up to three nights in a row. The hotels will have a place to do, I assume. I need more advice on how to pack for 2 months, where I’m going to have to constantly be packing and unpacking my stuff.
Here’s my current technique for trips:
Get a suitcase that’s actually a little too small for all of the clothes.
Fold the clothes all pretty-like, and put the underwears somewhere separate in the case.
Cram them in there using what ever means necessary.
When I get to the location, throw stuff everywhere, until things are spread-out enough to where I can get dressed each day.
When I leave, throw everything in the case all willy-nilly, and sit on it until it will close.
People always tell me to roll stuff up. Wear crap like jeans that don’t necessarily need to be laundered often so you don’t have to pack too many clothes. I always misplace stuff when I travel so I’d try to keep your stuff somewhat organized to minimize stress.
Don’t overpack; you can always buy stuff (clothes, toiletries, et cetera) as you need it, but lugging around extra crap you don’t use is a pain in the ass. Whenever I go on a trip and find that I haven’t used or worn something, I’ll make a mental note and leave it out next time.
Keeping smaller stuff (toiletries, power adaptors, et cetera) divided up in smaller bags helps to prevent from losing or dropping said items. Sometimes I’ll tape a list of items that go in the bag to the outside of the bag (especially in the case of electronics or somesuch) so I can mentally check off what goes in there while I’m packing.
Items like socks or t-shirts can be tucked into small openings between other larger items like jeans or shoes, and it doesn’t really matter if they get wrinkled.
I tend to bring way too much reading material. Instead of hauling everything you want to read, either set a budget for stuff to pick up on the way, and either mail back home or sell books you’ve already read.
Bring a list of prescriptions (including glass prescriptions) and a list of credit cards, driver’s license, et cetera, so if you lose anything you can report it immediately. If you’re keeping receipts for budget purposes or for reimbursement, bring an envelope or a few and put them all in that. (I like to number them in chronological order, too, and sometimes make a list with notes on the outside of the envelope, but I’m a freak.)
Rolling stuff up is good. Take layerable clothes that don’t show the dirt too much, and try to pack items that are useful for more than one purpose (e.g., comfortable-but-not-ratty sandals that would look equally at home on the beach or in a decent restaurant). If you’re tempted to take something on the off chance that you might find it useful, leave it at home. If you know you’re going to use something, but not right away, take it but bury it at the bottom of the suitcase or backpack. If you bring laundry detergent powder (which is a good idea, because it’s much more expensive to buy it in laundromats), pack it in a bag that is NOT going to split or leak. Leave some room in your luggage, 'cos everything expands when it’s packed and unpacked multiple times.
I am an extremely light packer - but my girlfriend isn’t. That makes us like oil and water, toothpaste and orange juice, frankenstein’s monster and the angry mob… you get the picture. And yet we’re still together.
How, Doctor Who? What’s yer secret?
Well, I’ll tell you — it’s the repack method. We pack our stuff - everything we think we’re going to need. Then we unpack it and take stuff out that we decide we don’t need. Don’t need that 3rd T-Shirt? Leave it out. Don’t need all four makeup kits? Leave 'em out. Can we make do with just sneakers, and lose these kneehigh boots? Fantastic, leave 'em out.
After one repack, we’re usually light enough that I’m not going to be irritated, and she still feels like she’s ready for any contingency. But I usually push for two repacks - which makes us agile, mobile, and decidely unhostile.
Pack lightly. I suggest either a small rolling duffle or a medium backpack. We went on a 30 day trip to southeast asia with our teen-age kiddies ten years ago. We each carried a backpack and did not want for anything along the way. If I went again I would carry less.
We routinely go on longish vacations (30-60 days) and take less every time. I am continuely amazed at the huge amounts of stuff people take along on a one week vacation.
Rolling clothes as mentioned above is the best way to pack. I suggest a couple of pairs of quick drying pants that zip off into shorts. One pair of walking shoes/climbing boots and a pair of sandals. Shirts and undies to last a week at most (laundry facilities are all over and you can always buy extras if necessary). Get a small bag that fits into the big bag for toiletries. Pack it on top for easy accessibility. Don’t fill your bag more than 3/4 full so you have room to buy stuff on the way.
