ok, my trip to italy is 2days away and I'm freaking out....

[Andy]

I'm a weird mix of procrastinator and worrier.

Everyone has finally figured out that I'm leaving, so I've been uber busy at work and haven't packed yet.  Besides the normal shit you use when you travel (clothes, toiletries, etc...) what do I need to be bringing for an overseas trip?  I know my passport, some euros, some american dollars, my credit cards, etc....

[Forrest]

Plenty of fabulous shoes, girlfriend!

[Emily]

toothbrush.

[yesno]

laptop or cell phone power adapter

International cell phone plan

Book

[Beth]

A good guidebook for the cities you are visiting (I recommend the Eyewitness Travel Guides) and a small collection of basic Italian phrases, unless you are already fluent. They usually appreciate even the smallest efforts by tourists to speak the language. It makes a huge difference.

[yesno]

A good guidebook for the cities you are visiting (I recommend the Eyewitness Travel Guides) and a small collection of basic Italian phrases, unless you are already fluent. They usually appreciate even the smallest efforts by tourists to speak the language. It makes a huge difference.

Yeah, I did well buy just learning how to say "I would like a ticket to".  Most restaurants in touristy cities have English speaking staff, but not necessarily train people.

[Josh]

How long is your trip/where are you going?

• laminated copies of your passport (most Italian hotels need to hold onto either your passport or a copy)
• the 800 numbers from the back of all your credit and bank cards
• call your credit and bank cards and alert them that you'll be spending money overseas
• power adapter if you're bringing anything electric
• magazines or small, inexpensive books (no hardcovers) - you'll be able to get reading material for the trip home while you're there
• take old undershirts, socks, and undies that you won't mind leaving behind, especially if you plan on buying souvenirs and gifts
• yeah, pens (that won't explode in a plane), pencils, and a handy notepad

[erika]

A camera! A camera!



And also pictures of your cats so you don't miss the little fuckers too much.

[emma]

cell phone/laptop/ipod chargers

more than one book

also a notebook and a couple of pens. a smaller bag you can carry stuff around in.

[Emily]

I'd like to add two things:

1) your appetite and 2) your camera.

b/c my uncle lives in Italy and he always says "two things about Italy: you can never take a bad photo and you can never get a bad meal"


(also another good reason to bring your toothbrush because you don't want to have food in your teeth in any of your photos)

have a good trip and remember it's a vacation - so don't spend too much time worrying!

[John Junk 2.0]

Canadian flag patch.

One of those things you strap to your chest to keep your wallet in so the gypsies don't get it.

Appreciation for public licentiousness.

Bullet-proof vest.

[buffcoat]

One of those things you strap to your chest to keep your wallet in so the gypsies don't get it.

Srsly.  A friend of mine just got back from Milan and two gypsy women tried to pick his pocket.  One was breastfeeding and pretended like she was going to drop the baby, as my friend stooped to help, he felt a second woman's hand go in his front pocket.  Also, he saw two fistfights in the first 20 minutes he was there.



Is it too late to go to Amsterdam instead?  Even if you aren't into drugs or prostitution, that place rocks.

[iAmBaronVonTito]

laptop or cell phone power adapter

International cell phone plan

Book

i support this fully...three things you shouldnt leave town without

[Andy]

One of those things you strap to your chest to keep your wallet in so the gypsies don't get it.

Srsly.  A friend of mine just got back from Milan and two gypsy women tried to pick his pocket.  One was breastfeeding and pretended like she was going to drop the baby, as my friend stooped to help, he felt a second woman's hand go in his front pocket.  Also, he saw two fistfights in the first 20 minutes he was there.



Is it too late to go to Amsterdam instead?  Even if you aren't into drugs or prostitution, that place rocks.

We're laying over in Amsterdam for 10 hours.  that should be long enough to see everything, right?

[Emily]

One of those things you strap to your chest to keep your wallet in so the gypsies don't get it.

Srsly.  A friend of mine just got back from Milan and two gypsy women tried to pick his pocket.  One was breastfeeding and pretended like she was going to drop the baby, as my friend stooped to help, he felt a second woman's hand go in his front pocket.  Also, he saw two fistfights in the first 20 minutes he was there.



Is it too late to go to Amsterdam instead?  Even if you aren't into drugs or prostitution, that place rocks.

OMG just had a flashback to when i was like 7 and i was in italy with my grandmother and she would scare the living daylights out of me by saying if i wandered off the gypsies would kidnap me.

but it was a different world in 1987.