My Travel Gear

Waiting out Hurricane Irene is boring. I figured I would play with my camera and test out uploading blog posts directly from my iPad, just like I will during my trip.




These first few photos are of my luggage. I'm traveling with two pieces of luggage, both intended to be carry-ons for the plane. I REALLY don't want my luggage going to Peru, especially since I'll be moving around so frequently throughout Germany - the luggage would never catch up with me.

I may check a bag on the way back home, especially if I buy too many pairs of lederhosen or too many beer steins.
"Helium Fusion Lite 2.0 25"" Expandable Suiter Upright"

The roller bag is by Delsey - the Helium Fusion Lite 2.0 - and has in-line skate wheels. It has a lightweight fiberglass graphite frame and is covered with ballistic nylon for durability and to resist tears. Its dimensions are 21" long by 8.5" deep (expandable by 2") by 14" wide - meeting carry-on regulations.


I fell in love with the messenger bag / satchel when I saw it in the store. It is fine-grain leather in a rich medium brown. It has two generous clasping outer pockets where I plan to store my electrical chargers and adapters. The inside is fully-lined and has a number of pockets to organize stuff. Also inside is a removable sleeve into which you could put a laptop or a bunch of papers. The reverse of the bag has a slim recessed pocket almost the size of the entire bag - another great place for maps, documents, etcetera. The bag has a sturdy and permanently-attached carry strap that should foil any would-be bag thieves (notice I didn't say man-purse snatchers).

So what's going into these bags? Stuff, of course! I may post another message about clothing, but for now I'll talk accessories. First are toiletries and first aid supplies.




Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, deodorant, shaving cream, razor, sure. But I've also included tissues, chapstick, Neosporin, bandaids, acetaminophen, earplugs, latex gloves, nailcippers (you can have them in carry-on luggage, I checked) and earplugs. I'll also include ziplock bags of various sizes. Reports indicate that European toilet paper is like fine sandpaper, so I might bring some TP, too, if there's room. I will also add some laundry detergent (I'm going to have to do a least one load by hand while on the road).


I intend to bring technology, which means chargers and adapters. I have a compact 220-240v universal power strip with three sockets, each of which can accept plugs from just about any country. This is particularly useful if the hotel room has only one outlet (which I'm told some do) and you still want the room's desk lamp plugged in while you're also charging your camera battery. To go with the power strip (which is oddly wired with a US plug) I have three plug adapters, though I think I may only bring two of them. Germany and the Netherlands use the same kind of outlets, so no need for two different types. The power strip doesn't transform the voltage to US-standard 110v, but my camera charger and my iPad charger are both dual-voltage rated, so no transformer is needed. Another plus is that my iPad Charger will also charge my iPhone, so no need for a third charger.

Of course I'll also be carrying my travel documents (passport, rail pass, reservation confirmations) and guidebook. One other plus of taking my iPad is that I've already been able to download a bunch of travel information and guides and maps directly to iBooks, most for free!

Location:Home

I'll be in "Good" Company in Berlin

So I was doing some travel research tonight, and I discovered on the Berlin tourism website that Pope Benedict will be visiting Berlin from 9/22 through 9/26. I'll be there from 9/23 through 9/25 .... I wonder what that will do to my plans -- at least I won't be traveling by car in Berlin!!

Welcome to my travelogue!

Welcome, kind reader, to my public travel journal!  Turning 40 isn't really that bad, but it's an excuse to do something I've wanted to do for years -- travel in Europe.


Picture the classic European backpacking trip envisioned by graduating high school seniors and add 22 years.  I won't have a backpack and I won't be staying in youth hostels, either.  Instead, I have a carry-on roller bag and I'll be staying in German-branded hotels of no less than 2 stars, and no more than 3 stars.  Only one of my hotels has a western name -- Best Western -- but it was cheap and well situated in Heidelberg.  I picked all of my hotels for location, and I don't particularly care about the amenities except that I want a clean room.  No, Mom, I didn't choose any flea-bag hotels, but I'm not staying at the Ritz, either.


I will begin my trip in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and will conclude my travels in Munich, for Octoberfest.  In between I will visit Hamburg, Berlin, Frankfurt-am-Main and Heidelberg.  It's a 10-night, 11-day jaunt that I'll undertake with a Eurail Select Pass which allows me unlimited travel on 6 travel days. I'll spend two nights in Amsterdam, two nights in Berlin, and two nights in Munich -- one night in each of the other cities previously mentioned.


I am looking forward to riding the rails in Europe.  I have reservations on two high-speed trains to whisk me from city-to-city, and I plan on just hopping on a train when it suits me for the rest of my itinerary -- the number of trains from any given point at any given time to any conceivable destination is amazing.  Don't worry, Mom, I've roughed-out the trains I intend on catching for the un-reserved legs of my journey.


I have slowly gathered my essential travel supplies -- luggage, plug adapters to charge my camera, iPad and iPhone (they are all compatible with Europe's 240 volt system, I checked), toiletries that fit in a quart-sized Zip-Lock bag, and passport.  I'm waiting to assemble my wardrobe until closer to my departure date, to best suit my continuing weight-loss.  I'm slightly worried about my passport, as the photo depicts a me of 90 pounds ago -- but I'm too cheap to get another when there is still 8 years left on this one.  And yes, Mom, I've notified my credit/debit card companies that I'll be traveling abroad.  And yes, I have a hidden money belt -- we'll see if I actually use it.


I found a very helpful website while planning my journey -- www.enjoy-europe.com -- it has very practical traveler information rather than the usual what-to-see and what-to-do of more traditional travel sites.  I recommend it for anyone planning a trip to Europe, in terms of how to pack, what to bring and what to wear.  I'll let you know once my journey has begun whether the site is really as good as it appears right now to be.


I intend to update this blog as I travel by train (many of the trains have Wi-Fi access.)  I hope to add photos and amusing (at least to me) anecdotes about the sights I see and the encounters I experience.  I also want to share practical information about the differences and similarities I perceive in German culture and day-to-day life.