Ultimate Women’s Packing List:

7 Items to Never Leave Abroad Without!

Ok so I’ve traveled around quite a bit. Most everything I’ve learned packing wise, I’ve learned the hard way. So if you’d prefer not learn the hard way and save yourself some anguish and/or embarassment at my expense: this is a good place to start. Maybe one day I’ll do the complete packing list… This is more of a ‘things that you may not to think to pack’, list!

1. Tampons.

So you can find most standard period equipment in most places that tourists go, but you may not be able to find what you’re used to. (If you’re going far off the beaten track, possibly nothing). But the way I see it I’d rather be over-prepared in this case.

I’ve been places where the only tampons I could find didn’t have applicators. I’m not incapable of using the applicatorless ones. I just would much rather prefer not to feel my innards.

Or you could skirt the whole debacle and get one of those diva cup thingys… but I’ve not used one so I have no opinion or useful information on them.

2. Hair Conditioner.

Not all conditioner is created equal. I have a TON of hair. I have enough hair to furnish at least 4 human beings with hair. Plus it’s long and thick. I can deal with most things, however I am a conditioner snob. I like super thick conditioner to ever have any hope of not having permanent dreadlocks especially when traveling.

My first trip in Europe I didn’t bring any toiletries with me because I didn’t want the weight. I didn’t care for the stuff I did find over there. Clearly I will have to get over this and make do if I plan to leave for extended periods, but I normally try to pack enough conditioner to last me as long as possible.

3. Yeast infection medication.

You wanna know what’s really awkward? Trying to communicate to someone in a pharmacy in which the two of you have little common language that you have the non-sexually transmitted itchy-itchy downstairs. Happened to me in Budapest. True story. Even if I had much knowledge of Magyar, yeast infection or candidiasis are not regular daily conversational words. Plus I didn’t want to run to the counter and yell itchy vagina!

It was awkward trying to cherades a yeast infection. So save your dignity and a pharmacy full of people from knowing you’re currently baking a loaf of bread up your vajay and leave home stocked with a Diflucan or some Tioconazole.

4. Your favorite bra. x2 is ideal.

I have an odd bra size.

I am a relatively small person, with a pretty small ribcage and well I have boobs. Larger than average. I have difficulty finding bras in my size at home. Forget trying to do that out of country and with a different sizing chart all together.

Don’t forget to pack your bra and save yourself the discomfort. It’s ideal to pack two, so you have one to wear if the other is dirty, or was washed and is drying and you gotta go out and need one to wear.

Or be filthy and just wear one the entire trip and get weird with yourself. I’m not one to judge, cause who’s done that? THIS GIRL.

5. Deodorant.

Kind of a no brainer for the general public if you don’t want to offend the surrounding human beings at the lift of an arm. But deodorant is a two part-er. Especially for all my thick-thighed girls out there. (If you have a thigh gap. BYE FELICIA! Not really… but deep down I’m a little jelly of you).

The second use for deodorant is to apply to the insides of your thighs to prevent the ensuing fire your about to start from all that walking you’re gonna do. This is mostly applicable if you’re traveling somewhere warm and you will be wearing a lot of shorts, skirts or dresses. It’ll save you the nice red inner thigh rash and burning. Take this sweet piece of info from a thick-thighed ex-gymnast here.

6. Dry shampoo.

Wanna keep that dirty little secret to yourself? With a can of dry shampoo you can easily hide the fact that you haven’t showered in days. I love, love LOVE this stuff. Just spray into your roots and go! Just be careful not to overdo it or else you’ll end up with whitish roots. No bueno.

7. Toilet Paper.

So you don’t necessarily have to have this packed before you leave home. However, it’s always a good idea to have a wad of good ol’ TP stuffed away in your bag when you leave the hotel/hostel/campsite/what have you for the day.

Sometimes the toilet you use will be out of toilet paper. Other places it’s not customary to use it at all (ie: the Middle East where there is a bucket of water there for you to clean yourself with). If TP is what your used to… bring it!

Anything that you have left for an overseas adventure without as a girl and regretted not having?

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