WHICH PACK?
If you are hostelling in Spain take a backpack,
otherwise a suitcase is good for hire cars
and hotels. Backpacks are more suitable
for walking, hiking and are easy to maneouvre
on and off transport. Check they have adjustable
and padded straps, lower back support (particularly
for females), are multi compartmented and
have a detachable day pack, and can be easily
locked with small padlocks. Don't skimp
on these, because it is hard to get replacements
on the road. Try to avoid top loading packs
as you will have to unpack everything each
time you need something on the bottom. Travelpacks
are a combination backpack/shoulder bag.
The backpack straps zip away inside when
not needed. These can be made reasonably
theft proof with small padlocks on the zipper
areas. Day packs that can be unzipped and
taken on the plane or for short travel are
useful. Keep enough clothing in these (changes
of underwear etc) to last a day or two if
you lose the rest of your luggage.
SHOES Spaniards are not quite as particular
about footwear as the Italians but if you
want to blend in smart, comfortable and
casual is best. You may even consider buying
your shoes in Spain. Try to bring no less
and no more than two pairs as they do take
up a lot of room and are heavy. One pair
should be good for day to day walking or
hiking and possibly adaptable for night
wear. Waterproof sandals are good for beaches,
showers and other casual sight seeing in
warmer climates.
SLEEPING GEARS
In most Spanish hostels bedding is neither
required or allowed due to bed bugs or sanitary
reasons. However a sleeping bag, small woollen
blanket or sheet can be handy for overnight
train trips, ferries and buses. Shawls are
particularly useful, easy to pack and surprisingly
warm for their size.
WHAT TO TAKE?
The season you travel will influence what
you take. Layers of clothing are better
than big bulky items, far warmer and more
multi purpose if the weather changes etc.
It is best to be prepared for a few climatic
changes, particularly wet weather at any
time of year. Here's a list of items you
can buy but it may be better to take your
own:
- underwear, socks
- lightweight towel and swimming gear (this
can also double as underwear)
- a pair or two lightweight cotton pants
- a pair of shorts or a skirt
- a few t-shirts and shirts
- a warm sweater
- good walking shoes
- good sandals for showers and beaches
- a coat or jacket
- a raincoat, waterproof jacket or umbrella
- first aid and sewing kit
- a padlock
- Swiss army knife - preferrably with a
corkscrew and bottle opener, is handy for
protection, cutting food, doubling as scissors
etc
- torch (flashlight)
- sunglasses
- toiletries including toothpaste, toothbrush,
soap etc
- a few plastic bags or other bags to store
wet/dirty clothes
- own toilet paper (for some countries)
- tampons and condoms are available almost
everywhere but more so in western countries
- tent and sleeping bag if you want to save
money camping. A woollen shawl is useful.
Other optional items: compass, torch / flashlight,
calculator for currency conversions, alarm
clock, adaptor plug for electrical appliances,
clothes pegs, wet ones / handkerchief, sterlising
lotions, reading materials, journals, copy
of important documents.
MAKING IT FIT
A proven method is compartmentalising. Put
in a small bag for underwear, one for shirts,
pants, and other things, and it's like having
four dresser drawers inside. You always
know where everything is. The key is to
mix and match. Choose a colour scheme so
you can wear everything together. Go for
thin layers rather than bulky jackets and
coats as these can then be used individually
when the weather is warmer. You can wash
underwear so just take enough for several
days. For women choose a colour scheme for
your clothes. This way you can mix and match
with a number of items so you feel like
you are wearing a new suit every day. Blues,
whites and blacks are best for this. And
for toiletries buy the smallest bag you
can find. Put in a toothbrush, toothpaste,
razor, soap, sunscreen and hairbrush. These
are your essentials. Then choose one lipstick
that can match all your clothes, one small
eyeshadow compact, foundation, one face
wash, one cream (for hands and feet) and
you should be done.
Here are some culling methods: 1. Put all the clothes
you want in a pile and divide it in half.
Divide this pile in two and work on the
smaller pile. This is what you take. 2. Pick an outfit for a
cold day, hot day, wet day and throw in
underwear, socks, shoes and toiletries and
you're done. 3. Get an experienced traveller
to help. 4. Pack your bag two weeks
before you depart and live out of it, removing
an item every day.
