packing anxiety

[salixbabylon]

OK, I've never packed for any trip longer than about 12 days. London = 21 days. I need advice. Also, I live somewhere where winter = rain, not snow or very cold temperatures.

I got a lot of useful info from flylady.net, but I am freaking out about numbers of items of clothing to bring. I always pack too much and end up not wearing stuff, but this is a longer trip! I have no idea how much is too much/too little to bring.



Packing List

CLOTHES
•__3__nice outfits/dresses/skirts and tops
•__10__sets of underwear (underpants, socks, bras, slips, stockings)
•___1_sleep shirts/pjs
•__3__shoes (walking, dress, boots?)
•__3__sweaters
•__1__ rain jacket
.__1__heavy coat, mittens, hat
•__5__casual pants
•__5__casual tops

TOILETRIES
•____toothbrushes
•____toothpaste
•____deodorant
•____hairbrush
•____hair things
•____shampoo
•____lotion
•____sun block
•____makeup
•____medications
•____contacts/case/solutions
•____shaving kit
•____skincare stuff
•____ jewelry

FOOD
•____water
•____trail mix
•____granola bars
•____cheese

MISC
•____videos
•____laptops
•____music
•____cell phone, cord, charger
•____books, magazines
•____stamps, pen, paper
•____Hostess gift(s)
•____map(s)
•____RESERVATION FORMS, RESERVATION #



Any feedback would be appreciated! Did I forget anything?

OMFG - 3 weeks in London starting Monday!

Comments

[jackieville.livejournal.com]

Your list sounds perfect except for the food. They don't allow food or drinks through security. You can only buy stuff once you're through and take it on the plane.

I don't think they allow food in luggage either, you may want to check, sweetie.

*squishes*

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

That was mostly just for in the car and on the airplane - no big deal if they make me toss out a few granola bars. :)

Thanks for the reminder!

[londinensa.livejournal.com]

You're staying mostly in london yes?

Well unless you burn as soon as you step outside the house you definitely won't need the sunblock! It's usually cloudy and even if you get one of the bright winter days you're unlikely to burn unless you have very delicate skin. Even on a good day it's only getting light around 7am and dark by 4pm, so unless you're going hiking or something it won't be necessary.

Is your rain jacket warm or your heavy coat waterproof? If so you might want to pick one or the other rather than both. Then again I am used to packing light and layering clothes after years of packing way too much I am finally getting the hang of just enough ;p

Oh and because I am too lazy to find the other post, yes if we can work out a time I'd love to meet up ;)

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

Mostly London, yes. Good point about the sunscreen - it's part of my basic travel kit since I'm so fair, but you're probably right that I can take it out for this particular trip. :)

I'll try to find one coat that fits the bill. I suspect the one I like the least is both warm and waterproof. Feh.

Meeting up - what's your email address? I'm salixbabylon at yahoo dot com. We should have internet connectivity, and we'll be relatively free Dec 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 22, and 23. Hopefully we can find time for at least a drink!

[londinensa.livejournal.com]

You know, the 10th in the afternoon may be an idea I have the work xmas lunch that will be over by 5 at the latest but I can escape earlier (excuses are good!) so will be free a lot earlier than normal.

Btw if you're thinking of maybe taking in one of the shows you should check out the half price ticket booth on Leicester Sq and you may be able to pick up a good deal.

*off to email*

[maruchina.livejournal.com]

Looks good to me! I think you're probably not going to need those 5 pairs of pants, probably more like three. Can you do laundry there? This does look like it might be over 24 kg, although I think you can take twice that amount from and to the States.

Be careful to check if you can take the food. Cheese is usually a no-no. They might allow for the granola bars and the trail mix, but no dairy. You can't bring water through security, but you can buy the water past security. Actually, you might just want to buy all of that once you've gone through security.

Also: make sure that your amount of hand luggage is not too big for UK customs. The US is a LOT more lenient when it comes to your amount of luggage. When I flew back from London, I was only allowed one piece of hand luggage, INCLUDING camera bag and purse.

Also, you probably know this, but no liquids larger than 100 ml (I don't know what this is in ounces) in your hand luggage! They usually hand out plastic bags at the airport, but they're the ziplock 1 liter kinds.

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the food was mostly for the traveling part, but no biggie if they make me toss it.

Thanks for the heads-up on the leggage size/weight restrictions. I will check out what our airline says. :)

Thanks for the tips!

[silkmoth101.livejournal.com]

You should take at least 2 sets of sleeping shirts... one for cold weather... and it's freaking cold here in Europe, one for warmer, for example working heater, lol! I know from a friend who lives in London that the English people consider it 'warm enough' when they don't have to pee away a layer of ice in the toilet. LOL!
Oh, and don't forget to make sure that one pair of shoes is really warm and let no water through. (I hope you can understand what I'm saying my English is in the toilet today)
Passport, money, creditcards? I don't think you will need the sunblock, lol.
And: have fun!

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

Warm jammies - check! Thanks for that heads-up since I usually sleep au naturel. ;) I'll add some slippers, too.

Thank you!

[todd-loves-mc.livejournal.com]

Your list looks fine although im not sure what airport security is like on the food aspect.

and living in the uk myself and the current temperatures you're going to want a nice big coat, gloves, hat and scarf. Also some boots that have a good grip on them as its been fucking freezing here the last few weeks and we've had snow here outside of london twice this week alone.

It gets quite slippy here.

Hope you have a great time in London and have fun.


oh your going to be over here for christmas. Are you going to see Mr Barrowman in Panto while you're here?

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

Scarf! Right - *adds to list* I think I have one somewhere...

And boots. Practical, non-bdsm boots. I think I have a pair of those. *g*

I don't know if we're seeing any theater, but if there are tickets still available, we'll try to go! :)

*hug*

[todd-loves-mc.livejournal.com]

in case you want it here's a link to the official site for John's panto. its in birmingham so its outside of london but totally do able if you try for a matinee as opposed to an evening performance :)

Robin Hood Panto site

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

Ooh thank you! We'll try to figure out if we can coordinate that. :)

[roshismomma.livejournal.com]

good list. definitely make sure all your outergear is very very waterproof and nix the water you cant carry it and the water is perfectly lovely to drink in london. and bring a few less pairs of pants. like 3. big coat good. will be cold. is big coat waterproof? might not even need rain jacket if so.

also might try to manage with 2 pairs of shoes and 8 sets of panties and plan to wash laundry a couple of times. oh and this i got from Rick Steves and its so true, bring a spare bag that zips closed, like a nylon one, for extra stuff coming home. I have one you can borry if you dont have.

i am SO FREAKIN JEALOUS.

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

Water was just for the car/plane, but yes - we'll be careful with what food we try to take.

3 pants, 1 coat both warm AND waterproof = OK.

Spare bag? Remind of this tomorrw and I may take you up on your offer of a loan. :)

[roshismomma.livejournal.com]

they will, unless its changed, make you dump your water. it happened to me.I will try to have the spare bag out so we remember!

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[bitterbird.livejournal.com]

that sounds pretty good, make sure your walking shoes are comfy, you will be walking a ton in London

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

Done and done - I only do comfortbale shoes. Life is too short for your feet to hurt. :)

[gattodoro.livejournal.com]

I hope that you have a fabulous time here. All you really need is your passport, tickets and money/credit card. Everything else can be purchased, I assure you (& what the other folk have said about not being able to pack food/water is true, though granola bars in your checked in luggage would be okay).

Forget the sunblock, but bring good quality moisturiser as wind burn (not sun burn) can dry your skin badly. And ditto stamps - if you are mailing things from the UK, you'll need to buy UK stamps from a Post Office (there is one just off Trafalgar Square).

If you are staying in London, I do recommend getting an "Oystercard" for travel on the tubes & buses as it will save money and is more convenient than cash. http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/oysteronline/2732.aspx Wherever you go, but especially in crowded places do keep a good hold on your bags/cash/wallet because pickpockets do target tourists, as they do in any major city.

Enjoy! *hugs*

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

True enough - England is hadrly a Third World country. You have condoms and tampons, if I forget them. *g*

We've got Oyster cards in the flat, that we're allowed to use. I'll add better moisturizer to my list, too.

Thanks for the tips! :)

[mellacita.livejournal.com]

Well, you know me. I don't believe in checking bags. I did 2.5 weeks in UK in a backpack and purse. 3 weeks in Syndey and NZ out of a rollaboard. Africa twice with just a duffle bag. LOL. And 4 months living in UK from one suitcase.

You won't be able to bring the water or cheese unless you check it, and even then cheese is iffy. Water is heavy and just as ubiquitous in the UK. :) Granola is a good call, as are nuts.

Consider cutting down the clothes and doing laundry a few times while there. If I were planning 3 weeks, I would bring 3 pairs of trousers/jeans, a couple dresses, 3 tops, 2 cardigans or a blazer, a lined rain jacket and umbrella. Plus underwear, etc. I would bring two pairs of shoes. But then, this is me. I like to be mobile more than fashionable.

There is an old addage that you should pack, then take out half the clothes and pack twice the money. It's the best advice I ever got.

have an awesome time!!!

[mellacita.livejournal.com]

BTW they definitely allow food through security as long as it is solid! No yogurt, most cheese, all beverages, etc are no-nos.

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

Great - I'm so used to having a granola bar in my purse in case of low blood sugar crankiness. :)

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

Holy moley! 4 months in 1 suitcase? I am so ashamed of how much I bring with me now. ;)

Thanks for the clothes-numbers list - I am cutting mine back. There's always stuff I don't end up wearing anyway. I just need to have faith that I'll be ok and can always buy another shirt if I need to. And will be able to find a laundromat somewhere in London.

*hug* Thanks for the advice!

[reba22222.livejournal.com]

I've been in Southern CA 10 years and 3 years ago I went to London mid-November to see Ewan in Guys and Dolls and it was freakin freezing! Good advice above. I'm not all that experienced traveling but just remember I was never quite warm enough for all the outdoor walking I did and the tours on the open air double decker bus...frostbite almost. Bought scarfs and gloves there and layered with cardigans, but had a wool-lined raincoat that never quite cut it (and I'm obese and usually too hot everywhere).

My father loaned me a money pouch that is worn under your clothing and since I was there alone it helped me feel more secure. I wore my money on my body the whole week. ATM's everywhere just like here tho. Have a great time!

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

Hey, I saw that show when I was there in September 2005! :)

I'll be sure to take the warmest weatherproof coat I can find. I'm getting concerned now...

Thanks for the advice!

[soar38.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't even bother with bringing a whole lot of toiletries with you, there are small shops and supermarkets open all the time in London, so you can buy something relatively cheap that you can just chuck when you go home. :-)

It has been pretty bloody cold recently, although it's almost always milder in London. Up here in Birmingham this weekend it's not supposed to get much above freezing, and then you have to count in the wind chill factor, so definitely yes for the very warm coat, hat, gloves and scarf. Also warm socks if you're going to spend some time outside.

Generally, what I tend to do, and of course I'm more used to it, is wear t-shirts, or light shirts that I can wear indoors where there's central heating, and team that with a sweater on top with my winter coat so I'm layered and don't get too hot inside.

Sleepwear should be warm. Don't know about the flat you're staying in, but a lot of places, the heating turns off overnight, it's only usually on when people are going to be indoors because the heating bills are getting more and more expensive.

Umbrella will probably also be a necessity. If you're lucky, we might also get snow again while you're here. The odds for a white Christmas this year are higher than they've been in a long time. :-)

Do you have my mobile number?

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

COld - eeeeeek! Ok, noted. I'll find a good warm raincoat to bring. One I can wear a sweater under, which might be tricky. :P

White Christmas? Iv've honestly never had one of those. Whoo!

And no - I don't have your mobile number. Email me? And I'll try to rememeb to email ours to you both, too.

Three days!!!!!!!!

[saleemah.livejournal.com]

Fun! I'm excited for you!!! I would check the weather before you go because we expected cold weather and it was hot as hell! Also,I discovered that insoles and socks with cushioning in the bottom were great because of the non-stop walking. I also like to have Glad bags(and I needed them for the crazy rules last year in Scotland,London and German airports. I also like to have bags to keep my dirty laundry separate. I really liked having a very light /across the body travel pouch with just my passport and some essentials...lip balm,money,gum,ibuprofen etc...
Dan and I keep a journal when we travel and write in it everyday.We use it to work through disagreements or to vent and then laugh about it later. When we have been stranded in airports we use the journal to interview eachother. Those are some of my favorite possessions and best memories.
Have a wonderful time! Go to the Science museum if you haven't gone already.
oxoxoxox!!!!

[saleemah.livejournal.com]

Oh and ear phones that you like so you don't have to pay for the cheap ass ones on the airplane. I like the ear bud kind and I don't like paying 4 bucks for crap.Emergen-C packets are also handy to have. Be careful because this is the time of year when aliens disguised as Santa attack Big Ben ;).You will get to see the Dr.Who Christmas special in London!

[salixbabylon.livejournal.com]

Great advice - I had forgotten to put a journal, vitamins, and laundry bag on my list. :)

Science museum is on our list. i love the "interview" idea. You guys are awesome.

Dr. Who! Whooop!

*huG8