CHECKLIST revisited For Danica, by SCHU

Haven been given a charge and challenge to the 32lbs my pack constituted I thought of it like a harassing gnat through my entire travels... and it did not go unnoticed that I lost 5lbs but my pack gained 14... having at check out weighed in at 46lbs. Purely for the exercise and its true, future backpacktrekking travels I will just for the fanatical list makers among us, indicate what was useful and what I neglected to bring... etc.etc.

PACKED:

• Memory cards: 3 4g, 2 2g: Used 4/5 cards. Shot: Raw. Felt extravegent. Need: Vital.
• Vaccination Cert: Completely unnecessary (this time)
• Itinerary: good to have.
• $300 LP & Money: Brought $250 additional. Should have packed more?
• ID,STNT ID, AAA: good to have, USED.
• MP3 Player: Lost, completely bummed. Thorn in side.
• Journal: Gasp. Not necessary. Used RARELY. Sadness.
• CAMERA: Should have had a small case for it. Really.!
• Charger: Used 3x.
• Water: felt bad for using so many plastic bottles after a while. Was torn. Somehow treating the water and not buying plastic would ultimately have been more sustainable tourism.
• Alarm Clock: VITAL
• Sunglasses: Used Occasionally
• Tweezers/Mirror: Used when bored but I liked to have.
• Eucerin: glad I had it. Didn't use it much. Used deodarant on my thighs which cut down chaffing and other unpleasantness!
• Amphibian Walk/Water: great comfortable shoes. Though were not good for silty, sandy, or volcanic surfaces.
• Flipflops: Yup, good arch support, could have fitted better, and well the tan line... sigh.
• Day Pack: Vital
• Pancho: Used once in downpour in LaFortuna. Glad I had it. Was fun. But I suppose unnecessary, still would not, not pack it.
• Small Towel/Microfiber: I used it but it developed a smell...hmm. Had towels throughout from the hotels...
• Jacket (fleece/wind): Used a couple of times. Glad I had it.
• Sunflower Seeds: should have brought 1 more pack.
• Jerky: absolutely glad I brought it.
• Gum: a pack or 2 short but I could've bought in CenAm, favs: orange, mint.
• Cliff Bars: lifesaving. Brought 12. Used 10. Gave 1 away.
• Apple slices dried: such a nice variety to have when I couldn't get fruit. Loved it!
• 7 Microfiber Underwear: happy with the # and loved the type. Cleaned/dried super easily,
• 3 Undersocks: used once, wore flipflops or got wet more often then not but 1-2 is ok
• 6 Socks: I hate washing socks. Mental note this. They get really dirty and its hard.
• Mysterious feminine products: took too many pads but then is that bad...?
• White Skirt: Loved it! So so glad I brought it. Slept in it, went dancing in it, good for the beach... though it did show some wear at the end there.
• Red/Red Skirt: uh, not dye fast. Yikes. Turned my nice new pair of white pants totally pink! But a good last resort skirt, and beach blanket, but was afraid I'd turn red if I laid on it while wet... must rethink.
• Swimsuit: oddly too heavy duty and functional. Needed more just 2 pieces, quick drying and thinner-- less sinching fabric...
• 4 Bras: still could've had lighter thinner bras but what to do?
• 6 Tops(teal:a little semi-casz/blu(basic but with details)/gren(fun, but scratchy elements! horror!)/blck: button up, excellent/yllw: trashycomfy/light green:long and loose): good mix of fabrics, color, type. Was pretty happy with my selection. Could've splurged with one more like a tank top. Should have brought.
• 1 LS-T Shirt OldNavy (light/cotton): good for warmth and when it was really humid. Found it cooling. Excellent.
• Northface LS-T: Really good for airplane, volcano climbing, cooler nights.
• Sleep Shorts: Good for sleep and beach.
• Water Shorts: Used a couple times, could have used more but didn't.
• 1 Stretch Pants: awesome for the plane and volcano climbing.
• 2 Cargo Pants: were too loose but quick drying and pretty comfortable. Was unsure if I really needed both but...
• Stretch Capri: excellent for the more active things we did.
• Cards: didn't offer up for drinking games but used when stuck on an island whose beach was under water. Don't regret it.
• Insect Repellent: Glad to have both heavy duty and not.
• Emergency Kit• Potable Aqua• Emg Blanket• Malariapills• Leviquin 4 TD• Ice pack• Thermometers• Bandaids• Anti-Inflammation patches (USED)• Other… USED antibiotic ointment and several bandaids along with one of the disposable thermometers!
• Toilettries• Tissues• Deodorant• Shaving Gel• Face/Body Wipes• 4 disposable razors• Liquid Soap/scrub• Floss• Paste• Toothbrush• Shampoo/Conditioner• Brush• Sewing Kit: Yep. Didn't foresee my conditioner and shampoo getting gross and seperating but yah. Used it all.
• Emergency Dramamine: did not bring enough. Excellent in conjunction with gingerpills.
• Detergent: did not bring enough! 3 liquid packs hardly! Bah!
• Blister kit: didn't use but no way would i leave it at home.
• Advil: Yep. Not enough.
• Hand Sanitizer: Didn't use. Um...
• Sun hat: Used often!
• Ginger pills: Did NOT bring enough!!
• Flashlight: Yep!
• 1 black formfit tanktop: could have brought another. Wore it almost every long travel day!
• Compressed water spray: Loved it! Bring it everytime!
• Money Belt: used once or twice, devil may care!
• Pens: brought 3. 2 died! 1 nearly. Did not bring enough! Could not believe it.
• Little kit of things: 1 Underwear, 1 pair socks, 1 longsleeve top, Gum, Burts Bee’s, Mirror, PlaneTix, Passport, Insurance proof, Bandana, Business cards, Toilet Paper, 4 TourGuide Docs (unnec apparenty) Gloss, (only needed one) Soft EarPlugs, , Binoculars + Survival Guide.

Didn't bring at the last minute:

• SPF 15 max: didn't bring, should have I think. But didn't use all of any of them so maybe smaller each this next time? Loved spray!
• SwissArmyKnife: Didn't bring. Stupid. Don't ever do that again. Sure you may not use the knife or the screwdriver, but the canopener uh, hullllooo. Yes. Was addicted to canned peaches and not every one had pulltops.
• Knee braces: Left at home. Was that a good idea? 50/50.
• Calculator: Forgot to bring. Should have brought. I'm slow at math but on the + side I got better. Ear plugs: did not use.
• Black travel Pillow: not necessary. Didn't bring. Could use top but wouldn't mind if I had it.
• Zip-tie Locks: Left at home.
• Travel Connect 4: we were way too busy sleeping and using our ipods to use this. good to leave at home.

So Sad I Didn't Have:

• Exfoliant for my face: travel grime, working out grime, smog grime, oily face grime. My face wipes could only do so much.
• Dress: something light and easy wear with maybe a scarf or something. We went out to nice places enough where I felt like dressing up like a girl would have been lovely. Read other peoples commentary saying the same and ignored... silly Schu.
• Oxy: for that oily sad face that was breaking out all the time on the chin.
• Liquid Bandaid: good for mosquito bites and has antibiotic in it. When these little hard bites I got in monteverde started oozing I was sad not to have this. Next time for SURE!

Picked up: hammock, 2 bottles of rum, book, small volcanic rock, pack oh'souvenirs...

GOOD TIMES!