Packing+Lists

=__Suggested Packing Lists and Packing Tips for NCTA Japan travel.__=

**Jacque Brown-Williams’ thoughts for the ladies**

 * Leavell introductory comment:** I asked Jacque to have a look at my packing lists and make suggestions that would be useful for ladies. Jacque is a well-seasoned world traveler and managed extremely well on my NCTA teachers’ tour of China and Japan in 2008. Below are Jacque’s suggestions and comments using my initial “Carry on Plane” list and "Checked luggage" list.

=__#1 Carry on Plane List with special comments for ladies__= = = =Wear on Plane= Hat or ball cap. (Jim wears a broad-brim hat with vents. Think about how you will manage your hat in temple buildings. Jim clips his to his belt or camera bag.) Jacket (with pockets) Comfy shirt that won’t wrinkle (you’ll be sleeping in it on the plane!) I like camisole or tank top-style undies under my shirts and blouses. //I’m into easy comfort, nothing that binds or ties, itches or cuts into me.// Backpacker slacks (synthetic) (or comfy khaki slacks) Comfy undies Slip on shoes/sandals//. (Jim says: easily removed shoes save frustration at security AND Japanese temples where shoes must be removed.)// Socks //(feet get cold on flights) Jacque says: at my age I now wear support socks or hose on planes-ugh! Jim says: you can pay between $5.00 [Walmart] and $35.00 [CVS drugstores] for support socks. Almost every woman on the 2008 NCTA study tour had swollen ankles and feet for days following the transPacific flight. It is recommended that you walk around the plane during the flight to keep blood clots from forming in your legs. This is unsightly but also can be dangerous if large clots form in vessels. Keep circulation going.// Watch (set to Tokyo time immediately after boarding) Neck pouch for passport, tickets, etc. //(Jacque says: mine is not a neck pouch, but an over the shoulder small purse/bag. __I wear this under my jacket. Do not take it off during flight. In fact, do not take it off throughout the trip except to shower.)__//

=Carry-on Day Pack= ===(Jacque says: I have an over the shoulder sling bag. Jim carries a large day pack and inserts a smaller bag inside. The day pack goes into the overhead bin; the smaller bag with items needed on the flight itself comes out of the day pack and goes under the seat within easy reach. Remember that all liquids carried on the plane should be placed in a plastic bag that can be shown separately to SECURITY personnel. )=== Camera gear //(Jacque says:// //I’m not a big camera bug but many are. If you’re not, take a small digital camera and beg the camera folks to take some of you and send you copies! Jim may carry as many as three still cameras + extra lenses and one video camera. All of these are placed in his carry-on pack for safe transport.)// Sunglasses Spare proscription glasses and/or spare contact lenses. Ear plugs (Jim will also carry noise reduction earphones-- a luxury, but very nice if you do a lot of long-distance flying.) Bandana Saline nose spray and eye drops //(airplane air conditioning dries out nose and eyes// ) Lip balm with sunscreen Chewing gum //(“brushing” after meals)// Ball point pen and small spiral notepad iPod “touch” loaded with trip information + music and ear buds for iPod //(or MP3player)// Purell bottle (smallest available) Jim says get in the habit of using this liquid before every meal or snack. Small pill bottle—ibuprofen, antacid, Ambien sleeping medicine, melatonin sleep aid, etc. Extra change of clothes in case luggage lost-- (1 set of underwear, slacks, shirt, and socks) //Jim says he had a student once whose luggage took a week to catch up with the group.// Backpacker head lamp for Jim; //(Jacque says: I carry a small flash light)// small compass Eye mask to aid sleeping on plane Prescription Medicines Empty water bottle (fill after you get through SECURITY) Trash novel for distraction (Jim recommends James Clavell's //Shogun; it will last you the entire trip.) Totes travel slippers -- Jim removes shoes completely during the flight and uses the slippers to keep socks clean when visiting airplane restrooms.//

=__#2 Checked Bag Packing List (44 pound limit)__= modified by Jacque Brown-Williams for the ladies Japan NCTA Study Tour 2010 (44 pound limit)

**//Jacque says**: All clothes should be wash and wear, travel friendly and easy to fold. I choose two or three basic colors to mix and match everything with. One is basic blacks, one tans or browns, one colorful (I like oranges myself). I’m not a super camera person, so**// //my check on bag weighed 27 pounds! **I also left almost all of my clothes along the way, and filled my suitcase to the brim with kimonos and yukatas.)**//
 * Jim's says: B elow are Jacque’s suggestions and comments using my initial “Checked Bag” list.

Pants
Jacque packs two pairs of comfortable non/wrinkle pants, one of them is the kind that zips off the legs to make shorts (synthetic, one khaki, the other more colorful). //.// One pair of hiking shorts. //Jim says: Be sure the shorts come to the top of your knees for sake of Japanese modesty standards for adult women. Jim will wear one pair, put one pair in the carry-on pack and have one in the checked luggage (3 total).//

Skirts & Culottes,
Two if you are not a slacks or shorts person

Dress
A nice easy-to-wear dress for a night out (non-wrinkle, I like the wrinkled looking 100% polyester type). I usually have a shawl or jacket that goes with it, which can double as needed in other situations. =Shirts //(sleeveless, short or long sleeve, leave the tank tops at home or be willing to wear a shirt to cover shoulders)//= Jacque takes 3 colorful ones to mix and match with skirts, shorts, pants, etc. (Jim will take four long-sleeve hiking shirts with easily rollable sleeves. Sun burn is one of Jim's concerns.) =Socks= 3 pair lowcut socks (Jacque says I don’t like going without socks, my feet tend to sweat in my sandals and shoes.) =Underwear/ sleep wear= Jacque says 3 undies (//wash-wear fabric// ) ( **//hint: for easiest packing and throw away, cut out the panties from old stockings)//** Pajamas (//I’m a T-shirt and undies gal// ) Lounge wear for room (think light weight sweats, most hotels furnish bath robes) =Outerwear= Rain Jacket with hood; many prefer an umbrella due to the heat and humidity, but umbrellas complicate handling luggage and photography.

Footwear
Jacque says: I don’t wear tennis shoes, but most people do I guess. I like my hiking sandals and slip on walking shoes. One pair I wear on the plane, the other gets packed. ( Jim adds: Footwear is **your most important item** where general trip comfort is concerned. Avoid lace up shoes. You will be taking your footwear off and on often. Past participants have given high praise to Keen sandles. I wish I could wear them, but they do not fit my arch well. I like them because they have a good toe bumper and do not collect gravel like my Teva sandles do. On previous trips I have worn $14 K-mart black tennis shoes with velcro closures for my back-up to the sandles. I pack one or the other in the checked luggage.)

Other items:
Extra bandana //(Jacque says: I pack two, on hot days I soak them in the morning in cold water, put one in a plastic bag and carry in my day pouch/back pack. The other goes around my neck or around my forehead.)// Canvas tote bag (for shopping loot) Pack towel (quick dry); use to squeeze out sink-washed clothes before hanging up to dry. Camera tripod (JIm's addition, not Jacque's) Suitcase combination locks //(airport security approved version)// Laundry materials (soap, cloths line, cloths pins) //(you can get teeny tiny ones)// Tooth brush, tooth paste, deodorant, etc. //(small containers, travel size)// Packs of chewing gum //(often no opportunity to brush after meals)// Small supply of energy bars //(just pack a few, unless you’re hypoglycemic)// Repair kit //(small duct tape, strong rubber bands, Velcro straps, short nylon rope)// Binoculars (//small size// ) //[see details on building; stage performances]// Mid-size bottle of Purell to refill pocket bottle //(instead of this, Jacque brings small packets of hand sanitizers and one or two tiny bottles of Purell)// Sunscreen and insect repellent //(again, Jacque's found small packets of these rather than bottles)// Packs of Kleenex or toilet paper //(VERY important! Public restrooms in Japan rarely have paper. No paper towels either, so bandana functions as hand towel.)// Tucks medicated towelettes or baby wipes //(Also VERY important)// //Ladies special toiletries as needed.// Extra AA batteries (if weight allows) //(Jacque's suggestion: rechargeable batteries and battery charger with plug adapter)// Extra AAA batteries (if weight allows) Jim says: AA and AAA batteries are used in Japan. I do not like to spend my time hunting for them. Extra vitamin pills //(I bring small packets or a pill box – Mon-Fri kind)// Small Gatorade powder packs/Crystal Lite also good //(I like the Crystalite)// First aid kit //(think small portions)// Second Skin (blisters) Hydrocortisone cream for itchy skin Antibiotic cream for small cuts Band-Aids Cold meds (zinc, nose spray, decongestant, Zicam mouth spray) Many people catch cold on the flight over. Antihistamine pills 2 plastic garbage bags //(I only take one, but I pack checked-bag clothes in gallon zip lock bags)**// extra ziploc bags //(of varying sizes!)//
 * Jim says: I try to pack all clothing and moisture sensitive gear in ziploc bags. It helps control stuff in the luggage and prevents deep disappointment in case the luggage is left out in the rain at an airport or hotel. It has happened to me more than once. The worst event was when someone was carrying a bottle of booze in their bag which had been placed on top of mine. The bottle broke and my bag was "gifted" with a deep, soaking drink that turned very sticky before my bag was returned to me.

Jacque says: If you are in Tokyo on a Saturday, check at your hotel about the Tokyo Salvation Army (or Goodwill) store. It’s only open on Saturdays and is fairly easy to get to by bus. It’s THE NO. 1 place to buy kimonos! If in Kyoto, there are used kimono shops, don’t be afraid to look and wander a bit. The 100 Yen stores (similar to our Dollar Tree stores) are GREAT for art supplies, fans, other souvenirs for your students!

Jim says: An NCTA study tour is a lot like very posh backpacking & camping. To remain happy you need to keep control of your gear. The backpacker's mantra is "A place for everything and everything in its place." If you follow this, you will not experience the PANIC!!!! of thinking you have lost something and then searching frantically for it with only 1O minutes left before leaving the hotel for the train station or bus. It would be extremely unusual if anything is stolen from you in Japan. If you cannot find something (room key, watch, passport) the high likelihood is that YOU misplaced it. Having a consistent place for everything in your bag will help maintain your peace of mind. Keeping your room tidy will also make your roommate much happier with you. All of this takes a lot of mental energy. If managing your "stuff" becomes routine, you can devote your energy to other issues-- and trust me, there will be OTHER ISSUES.