Being a good boy scout...

Every boy scout, hiker, and climber knows that there is a set of "10 essentials" that you are supposed to carry with you whenever you set foot in the wilderness - whether for a short hike or for a multi-day trekking tour.

Is there a similar set of items that one should carry when heading to a foreign country? I think so... let´s see if it adds up to 10:


(1) Toilet paper
That handy roll stashed away to combat the constant lack of readily available paper in public and hostel toilets, it´s the replacement-tissue for the ever-dripping nose, or simply the kitchen-roll substitute, ready to clean and wipe dry whatever needs to be. Never leave without it.

(2) A spoon
I want to see you eat that yogurt at the bus station. And no, your tongue isn´t long enough to reach the bottom of that cup. If it is, the doors of certain industries are wide open for you.

(3) A knife
You go and cut that salami with your spoon. Wait. You didn´t bring a spoon either? Also useful to stab evil people in dark alleys.

(4) An ATM card
Unthinkable just a few years ago, today you can withdraw money from your home bank account through cash machines all over the world - from Cambodia to Tierra del Fuego. Traveller´s checks, while still a great backup to keep in your pocket, are increasingly harder to cash and require passport and business hours to obtain cash. It helps to have money in the bank to make this item more useful.

(5) Hand sanitizer
Two words say it all: Public Bathrooms.

(6) A notebook/diary
It´s not just a diary which helps you to keep track of the past - it´s also a great reminder for things to do or to take care of in the future. It will hold email adresses, phone numbers, directions to a hostel, or the newest cussword in a foreign language. Have a shopping list, your budget, or the numbers of the travellers checks you cashed always at your fingertips. Bring a pen to enhance usefulness.

(7) Duct tape
How to seal off that gap under the door, through which the spiders crawl in at night? Duct tape! How to keep that handle from falling off the pot? Duct tape! How to quickly fix that hole in your stuff bag? Duct tape! It´s like a McGyver on a roll!

(8) Imodium
Especially when you ignore #5, this little pill will make your life less miserable. More than invaluable when you have to get ready for a 11-hour bus ride the next morning. Or you already ARE on the bus ride (I hope you did listen to bring #1 then).

(9) Dictionary
Even though I have no doubt it would be hilarious to watch, explaining to the pharmacist in gestures and drawings that you need Imodium might be too time consuming and humiliating. A few words in the right language here and there can save you from a lot mockery.

(10) A second wallet
Keep your valuable posessions hidden in a money belt and carry the money you need over the course of the day and some unimportant cards and papers in a second wallet in your pocket. You´ll have much less of an interruption of your trip if you have to surrender that second wallet instead of the one with your passport, tickets, bulk of money (This item was actually mentioned to me by my friend Michael a few years ago. Thanks again!).


There you go. Don´t ever leave your country without these.

Now I´ll continue waiting for my ferry. 30 more hours.
I need to buy new toilet paper.