Packing

Preparing documents • What to and not to bring? • Carry-on luggage

Preparing Documents for Travel
While preparing your documents for going overseas, remember to keep many  copies and to keep these copies separate from the original.  You should compost a list of documents that you need to take and consider what your back up plan is for each of the documents should they be lost or stolen.

Consider what will you do if your money belt and/or backpack is stolen.  What documents will be missing?  How will you replace them?

Passport: The most essential document that a traveller has is his or her passport.  The passport should be with you at all times or locked in a secure safety box.  In case your passport is lost or stolen, it is also recommend that you store separately from your passport a photocopy of your passport (photo page and any visas) and a copy of your birth certificate.  Another copy of your passport can be taped to the inside of your luggage.  Should your bags get lost, this can help recover them.  This will help expedite the process to replace your passport.  If email is accessible in the places that you will be travelling to, take a digital copy of your passport and email it to yourself.

While carrying your passport in your money belt, store it in a zip lock bag.  This will protect it from water/ sweat damage.

While travelling through airports, keep your passport handy as  you will be required to show it at various gates.

Travellers Cheques:  As soon as you receive your travellers cheques, sign them and carry your receipts separately.  As you redeem the cheques be sure to keep a record so that if lost/stolen you will easily be able to make a claim.

Prescriptions: You may be required to show prescriptions for any medication that you are bringing overseas.  Have the papers ready at customs, but afterwards, separate the two. 

What to (and Not to) Bring?

Travel lightly! When deciding what to bring and what not to bring, remember the first rule of thumb; travel lightly!  Keep packing to the absolute minimum of necessity. Most airlines will have restrictions on the amount of luggage you allowed with your ticket. More  importantly, it will be you who has to lug it around.  As a tourist, you are more of a target for things like pick pocketing and theft (not to mention lost luggage at airports).  As such, don't bring things with you that you couldn't bare to lose.

Walk around the block a few times with your back pack filled.  If it feels to heavy, consider how difficult it will be when the real trekking begins.

Pack Weeks Before Travel: By packing well in advance of your departure date you will be able to reassess what is necessary in your luggage. Talk to other people that have travelled and done similar work in the same destination. Many times you will find that there are many things that you can buy in your host country and depending on where you are travelling to, sometimes cheaper. More often then not, clothes and gear found in Canada may not be appropriate in comfort or style to the area that you will be living. If you are working or studying, find out from someone living their what is appropriate to wear.

Condoms! All travellers should bring with them a generous supply of condoms. Changes in geography, diet can alter the effectiveness of other birth control and condoms available around the world will not always be available or be of good quality. So bring along your favorite brand and even if you don't use them they can always make a wonderful (when appropriate) gift!

Suntan Screen, Bug Repellant and Your Favorite Brand of Moisturizer. Not all products are made equal. Suntan may not be available at all or meant for people with skin types quite different from your own. Same for bug repellant. Plus products may be unavailable or made differently even despite carrying the same name. So if you have a product that you cannot live without, pack it along.

Carry Appropriate Luggage. Remember that as a tourist, you are a target for theft. As such, it is important to consider the effectiveness of your luggage. The general rule of thumb is to always travel so that at a minimum one hand is left always free. The obvious vulnerability one has when tied up with luggage makes a tourist more susceptible to pick pocketing, theft and other crimes. Women should also be particularly diligent when choosing backpacks. Most backpacks are not designed for woman's body size, as such carefully choosing an appropriate frame is necessary. Avoid backpacks that have a lot of pockets on the outside that can be easily opened or ones whose size is too large to carry when filled.

Medicine. Keep all medicine in its original container, properly marked. Be sure that the medicine that you are carrying is legal in the country that you are travelling to. If the medicine contains any narcotic, you may wish to also bring a doctors note explaining why it is that you must take that medicine.

When travelling be sure to bring the items that you will need.  Create a checklist of what items you will require.

Cameras

While you may request to have your film hand searched, tightened security measures may not always allow you to do so.  As such, you may wish to invest in a radiation shield for you film.  This, however, should not be necessary if you are only going to have the film ex- rayed once or twice.  Many of the x-ray machines for checked luggage will damage film.

Taking photos on your sojourn is one way many travellers choose to preserve the memories of their trip. Keep in mind, however, that not everyone likes to have their picture taken. Know the customs for photography in your area. Avoid taking photos in areas where it may be taboo or in security sensitive areas.

Carry-on Luggage

Contents in one's carry on luggage should be left to the bare minimum.  Remember that airlines will have size restrictions and that you will not be allowed to board with any sharp item.  For a more detailed list of what is and is not allowed, visit www.tc.gc.ca/vigilance/sep/tips/menu.htm Should you need to carry syringes with you, bring a note from confirming this from your doctor. The needles must have a guard in place in be in their original packaging.  Please visit Health Canada for more information.

Make sure electronic equipment such as laptops are charged and ready to be turned on for inspection.  Remember to charge them again for the trip back.