How to and How Not to Pack

We all love to travel, to visit exotic places, to experience new cultures, to make friends from all around the world and to generally have a good time. However, everything has a downside, and for me, the downside of travelling is having to pack. It's hard enough to have to cram everything I own into a tiny suitcase, but to do it in a couple of days is ... impossible. (Did I mention that the "couple of days" deadline is usually because I've been postponing packing until the very last minute?) So, if you are like me, with only a couple of days (or hours) to pack for an important trip, here are some things to remember:

Note: I'm sure that you, being a completely sane person, will not make these mistakes. This guide is for scatterbrains like myself.

1. Don't pack your mobile phone... and forget your battery recharger. If you do, your phone won't be much use after a couple of days, unless it's one of those high-tech solar charging ones.

2. If leaving for overseas, don't bring a mobile phone that doesn't have Roaming (ability to make calls in any country). Otherwise, it won't be much use, unless you brought it along to be your lucky talisman.

3. [This is one of my pet peeves] Don't pack your passport in a bag that you don't personally carry. By "personally carry", I mean that your passport containing bag has to be on you at all times. Yes, even when you are in the toilet. The reason for this is that if you pack your passport into your suitcase, it's possible that it'll be missing later, because you haven't been attentive enough looking after your suitcase and someone else saw this as a wonderful opportunity to steal something.

4. If your luggage is in danger of being "overweight", don't pack anything that's useless, like white/lined paper or an extra storybook. This means that you don't pack anything that'll be available in your destination and you don't pack anything that's not strictly necessary.

5. Pack early. Otherwise you'll be buzzing around trying to find your favourite pair of jeans which seems to have "disappeared". Oh, and you are assured that doing so the day before your trip will result in an empty luggage and a mad luggage-holder (i.e. you).

6. Don't count the number of books/CDs/etc that you bring to make sure that it doesn't amount to thirteen. Packing isn't the time for being superstitious.

7. Don't waste time writing articles like this one, or any other articles at all. There'll be plenty of time for that when you get home. Of course, a little rebellious voice in you will shriek "But I've got to finish this! I've got to. Absolutely got to! [stomps feet]"

Well, if you follow those seven commandments above, you should be fine for packing. If you don't, I'm sure you'll be fine too, as long as you keep a level head and don't stress too much. If you are one of those lucky people with a robotic luggage packer or equivalent (i.e. if someone else helps you pack your luggage), don't forget to thank whomever it is with a hug and a kiss.