“Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life.”
— Jack Kerouac
I love blogging/Tweeting trends.
Trends like #FriFotos, in which everyone tweets photos for the same theme (today’s is black and white), or a somewhat smaller one in which travel bloggers post a photo of what’s in their bag for a big trip. One of my favorite travel writers, Andrew Evans, works as the “Digital Nomad” for National Geographic’s Intelligent Travel and recently posted “What’s in my Pack” before taking off to Japan for the first time.
Soon after Andrew posted, Pam Mandel of Nerd’s Eye View linked back to a post she did in February before a blogging trip to Antarctica: “One of These Things is Not like the Others” (hint: it’s the ukelele for which Pam is so well known!).
For whatever reason, I love these photos from Andrew and Pam–the precision with which they’ve lined up all their items, the way they’re displayed so neatly like a doctor’s tray of tools. And in a way, that’s exactly what they are–the tools of a travel writer’s trade. Camera? Check. iPhone? Check. Ruled pocket cahier Moleskin? Definitely check.
So as I get ready for the infamous Rickshaw Run–which I can’t believe starts a week from Sunday!–I thought I’d jump on the packing-photo-bandwagon and lay out what I’m bringing along for your viewing pleasure (and potential future inspiration). And because I’m not the biggest techie in the world (understatement of the year) I’m focusing less on cords and gadgets and more on what I’m most excited to bring along…
What’s in the bag:
- Set of 12 Derwent watercolor pencils
- Five ruled, rainbow-hued notebooks
- The only pen I’d ever dream of taking notes with–medium-sized Papermate, blue ink, with a pen cap that may or may not be chewed to beyond recognition
- Two Reise Know-How maps–Indien Nordost and Nordwest
- Olive green Artists’ Sketchbook from Cachet by Daler-Rowney (it’s hardcover and a beast, but wouldn’t think of leaving it at home)
- One beautifully long paintbrush (reminds me of an elegant, Audrey Hepburn-esque cigarette holder, only better for my health)
- Lonely Planet India travel guide (the first LP I’ve ever owned, I’ll admit…)
- Set of 8 Prismacolor Premier Illustration Markers
- Glue stick (for instant pasting of ticket stubs and maps in aforementioned sketchbook)
- Travel first aid kit from Boots
- 50% DEET mosquito repellant, also from Boots (take that, mozzies)
- Gregory David Roberts’ Shantaram (currently halfway finished, purposely saved in order to read on the subcontinent itself)
- Robert Pirsig’s Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values (hoping not only for philosophical inspiration, but a bit of good vibes when it comes to fixing our rickshaw)
- Winsor and Newton watercolor field kit (thank you, Kim and Emily!)
- Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens (don’t worry, that is copied and pasted straight from Amazon…I know this baby simply as the one lens that finally lets me capture the world the way I see it)
- Moleskin Pocket Watercolor Book (another lovely gift from my former flatties)
- One third of my chloroquine and proguanil malaria tablets (mozzies, don’t even think about it)
- Itch relief cream (for when they do get the best of me)
- E. F. Schumacher’s Small is Beautiful: A Study of Economics as if People Mattered (he inspired the NGO, the Jeevika Trust, I’ll be working with later on in India)
- Adorably compact LifeSystems mosquito net
- “Don’t Be Dirty Bertie” antibacterial hand wipes (one pound from Primark…I’ll get back to you if they actually work)
- iTouch
What’s not in the photo:
And what kind of bag?
Good point. Here it is.
So it’s not quite as official as Andrew’s National Geographic Walkabout Rucksack, but it’ll do!
What about you? What’s in your bag for your next big trip? Anything you can’t leave home without?
I love the wipes – ‘Don’t be a dirty bertie’ – brilliant!!!
I can’t leave behind my moleskine (must be a writer thing) or at least a handful of coloured pens. My notes MUST have some colour or I get bored when I re-read them.
I also take my iPhone everywhere. I just love that I can play angry birds, listen to music, take notes AND call my Mum to tell her I haven’t died. 😛
Nice rucksack! I can never find really nice ones Down Under… I always find the UK has the nicest ones but priced in pounds = tres expensive!
Good luck!!!!
Yes! I think it’s definitely a writer thing 🙂 When you’re back in London, you have to go to Stanford’s bookstore in Covent Garden (if you haven’t already been there)–they have the most beautiful display of Moleskins in the world. Someone will have to pull you away from it!
I love the thing about having colorful notes….that’s exactly it, isn’t it? I’ve really gotten into sketching recently, and I love the life it gives to my notes!
The rucksack’s just from Amazon, and was only about fifteen pounds I think! Not too bad at all 🙂 You’ll have to do some shopping around once you’re back!
Thanks so much for the well wishes, can’t believe we leave in three days…See you in Jan! x
Good luck Candace, have a great trip. I’ll be following you with interest! Stay safe. Bev x
Thanks so much, Bev! It’ll be great to share it with everyone, and I’m excited to finally get the show on the road soon 🙂 Hope you’re well! xx
ME! you forgot your mum. Where is the pic of your family back home who is trying desperately NOT to have a full blown corporate panic attack (Matthew 6:25). AND, advil? tylenol? oxoxoxoxo
haha i know, i know 🙂 and don’t worry–i have two full boxes of your favorite paracetemol, so that should hopefully last me for a bit… (i decided not to include too much of the medical stuff in the photo, but i’ve got plenty of other things like rehydration sachets and charcoal tablets to help us out along the way!)
Can’t wait to hear about your adventures along the way 🙂
I absolutely love those what’s in my bag pictures… I sometimes do it the other way round – what was in my bag when I came back home. I have the habit of always coming back home with tons of new stuff and I love looking at it while it’s all new, shiny and reminds me of abroad.
Have your heard about this site http://theburninghouse.com/ ? Similar approach but they’re asking what if your house was burning, what would you take with you 😉
Have an awesome trip! Lea
Hey Lea! YES–I love “The Burning House” but had completely forgot about it…so thanks for the reminder 🙂 And thanks as well for the fantastic idea of doing it the opposite way around. It’d be fun to start doing before and after shots, wouldn’t it? Also interesting to see what you got rid of along the way, haha. Thanks again, though, and I look forward to catching up with you at another conference next year! 🙂
just stumbled on this blog… & I think in right time too… welcome to India…
I see several items to protect yourself from mosquitos…. any one of them will suffice…
Hi Jitaditya! I’m sorry to just be replying to this, but the Rickshaw Run has ended and I’ve finally been able to properly go through my emails 🙂 Thanks so much for your comment, though, and for the welcome wishes! I’ve loved India so far and can’t wait to keep exploring it. PS – yes, I’ve been lucky so far not to have any huge issues with the mozzies…a net and deet spray do a world of good!