Journeywoman - Let's Have a Cyber Packing Party

	Roll your clothes... A great packing tip for backpackers is to roll each item of clothing, then keep them rolled up with the help of an elastic band. When you open your backpack, and have to rummage around for an item at the bottom, you may still create a mess, but your clothes will still always be rolled. This prevents the need to refold/reroll your clothes each time you open your pack. It saved me a lot of time and aggravation. Carmen, Vancouver, Canada
	My dad was a pilot... My dad was a commercial pilot who flew worldwide for thirty years and he knew everything about travel. One of the simplest but very important packing tips he taught me is this: When you are moving from one location to the next and are packing your bags, first check your bed-sheets then underneath the bed for any items of clothing. Then either make the bed or throw the spread or cover over the entire bed and check for any bumps (items you might have missed). Then place all your bags on the bed and repack. This has been my habit since I was very small and it has saved me from losing or leaving behind many of those "crucially important" belongings. Thanks, Dad! Dinah, Concord, USA
	Rome in January... Went to Rome for 8 days over New Years. Rome turned out to be the warmest city in Europe during this period--cool (48-54 degrees F), intermittent clouds and sun. Little rain. Took one 25" rolling suitcase. Long microfiber raincoat with button out lining--stylish and functional. Black pants (black is always "in" in Europe), cotton turtle neck shirts, and vests for extra layer. Also wore silk long johns which were light, not bulky, and offered extra protection. Polartec gloves, two pairs of black shoes with thick soles, and a long scarf. Felt more in style than I ever have before. Layers were the key and offered opportunities for all kinds of combinations. Carolyn, Oakland, USA
	Paris in December... I travelled to Paris in December and learned that a scarf is a great accessory. All the women there wear scarves -- every color and any material. I promise you that by the time you get home you won't know how you ever got by without one in the past. Younger people in Paris do wear sneakers occasionally, but European sneakers are not the same as in the U.S. -- they look a lot more like bowling shoes. Expect plenty of high heeled boots and leather pants on women of every age. And, always remember -- to look truly like an American tourist in Paris, just wear a baseball cap and hang a camera around your neck. Julie, Rockhill, USA Ed. note: I have a present drawer -- a place where I store gifts that I buy when I'm travelling. Then, when the gift-giving occasion presents itself, I have lovely things to choose from. I find that Paris is a perfect place to stock up on scarves. The variety is huge and there's something for every budget.
	T-shirts from Europe... Advice to students. Pack light. Don't pack very many tops and buy local t-shirts in inexpensive street markets along the way. This gives you the fun of shopping and bargaining (if one top is $10.00 then two are usually $17.00, etc.). Shopping this way also helps you to fit into the local fashion scene. If any of these tops survive both your trip and the laundromats along the way, then share the "fun ones" with girlfriends back home. Betsy, Winnipeg, Canada
	Prostitutes wear pants in Syria... I lived and travelled alone in Syria. It's a Muslim country so dress modestly. Prostitutes wear pants, which means that if you don't want to be hassled it's best to wear a loose, skirt. Shorts and bare shoulders are unacceptable in public places. Sleeves should come down to at least the elbow. By dressing modestly, I found that Syrian men were very respectful to me. I wore a long skirt, long-sleeved white blouse, and a hat. A Dutch traveller took my picture in the ruins of a desert city because she said I looked like "a turn-of-the-century lady archaeologist". Heather, Chilliwack, Canada
	In Europe go easy on make-up... I suggest you don't really need makeup in Europe. While in Paris and London, we rode the metro and ate out a lot, so I had plenty of opportunity to observe the locals. We noticed that very few European women wear make-up. If you do wear make-up, I recommend sticking with mascara and a little eyeliner. Stephani, Phoenix, USA
	Which coat do I pack?... I travel internationally for business a good percentage of the time. Trying to find a coat that works for semi-dressy situations, as well as at a mill work site and in the city can be a problem. You need warmth, water resistance, wind resistance and, if you are like me, style. Style is important because this is the outermost garment people see and judge you by -- considered most important in countries like Italy or Japan. For this reason, I have found that good quality leather coats tend to be the best option. These are not "biker" style jackets --my favorite is a 3/4 length that goes well with pants, suits and is just long enough to look OK with a skirted suit, too. The best part is that leather doesn't get dirty when I have to climb around a building site or when I am travelling long distances on a train. A spill can usually be cleaned up easily. Linda, St. Charles, USA

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