Europe trip!

This time going only with my wonderful boyfriend, we'll have an excellent time :). I wanted to show off my packing, because I think i did a much better job this time then i did last time - although backpacking and sleeping somewhere different almost every night is a different scenario then renting an apartment. I'll let you know how it goes.

First picture: EVERYTHING in the bag, that i'll have with me for three weeks. in columns, l to r, top to bottom -
*trans: by jansport bag, was a gift (thank you! :) ) should be great, wish it had a waist belt, at least it buckles in front. not that heavy.
*tamrac express 6 camera bag, bought off amazon - it's really compact, looks like a purse or lunchbag or something, even w/ cameras in it
*pillowcase - multipurpose, bag, towel, pillowcase even...
*green keen walking shoes
*flip flops - i expect to wear these most of the time, i'm overly used to them
*across the bottom - playing cards, ipod, phone (off until back in states), 40 gig hard drive f/ extra pics, camera chargers, excess of pens (matt forgot his), beautiful hand*book notebook - so excited to start using it!, watercolor postcards, if we get to it
*REI raindance raincoat - it's sort of long and so cute... ha... i only bought it today, after realizing i'd have a rediculous amount of space. and it packs down really well, and was on sale! nice to have quality products
*Smartwool longsleeve shirt. splurge, hopefully worth it. these are supposed to be totally odor-free, wear them forever, all-weather comfortable - based on their socks it's true, i expect to wear this every day under 75 degrees
*Wrist wallet - we'll see how this goes, i don't feel comfortable digging in my camera bag's sort of tight pockets for money all the time
*Passport - don't lose.
*Mini Mag light - probably should have gotten an LED headlamp. next time.
*Combo lock - if we use lockers at train stations or hostels
Up to the clothes:
*White linen pants. comfy, classy? already dirty so i'm not too worried about it
*Convertible pants. Columbia, for hiking originally. Should be great. I like them as both pants and shorts.
*Green gym shorts. Just in case, wear around hostel, plus they're actually my favorites, we'll see. it might be hot.
*Toiletries - broke down and bought travel containers, it all fits in a sandwich bag though.
*Bra.
*Swimsuit in bag.
*Underwear/socks in bag. two pairs of each, special travel underwear (wash in sink w/ shampoo) cause you care :P and smartwool socks
*Purple and Blue tank/cami tops from Express. My favorites, i have 5 colors and wear them almost every day. Will wash after 3-4 days of wearing each (i don't do laundry often anyway, they don't really smell promise), won't wear one every day.
*Grey polo. i love how this fits, will be nice to have a short sleeve shirt. can be worn w/ or w/o cami
*Little camera - old decrepit filling in for my new Cannon SD1100 - nice to have a pocket cam, i actually bought a case!
*Big camera! so excited to have this in Europe. Olympus E-510, dslr, it's designed to be fairly small, i have a wide-angle and telephoto lens for it, i expect to use it alot :D maybe i'll make prints after this trip even... crazy!
*Extra battery for each camera, extra memory. Have a 4 and 2 gig CF for the big, 4 and 1 gig SD for the little.
.... that's all, folks! :)

It _all_ packs into a bag this size (i took out the clothes i'll be wearing to the airport tomorrow - i'll always be wearing an outfit though, presumably....) and that's including the camera bag kind of tightly shoved in the backpack, i'll have it out when touring. I forgot book for entertainment and camera manual and printed maps/itinerary and a wool hat (courtesy of sarah :)) in the last list. I expect to look much like this:

That bag on my back looks tiny - hooray! It's all really light, won't have a problem walking around with it all day if i have to. If this works well for me, i'll never pack more then this again. And I will use this as my packing list. I'm glad it's not winter, or i'd have a lot more - but i'd always be wearing it too.

Work forces me to update....

to promote our website and blog ;) that's fine - presenting.... our site and our blog

good stuff! to find out what's up (or just picturesque) with me, picassaweb.google.com/zactlymyself is still updated with pictures every two weeks or so - the commentary usually passes for a blog post. :)


(bad word choices before, edited. nothing bad intended)