Reflections of Joanne

just experience | just sights | just blah | just write
all photos, travelogues and journals are made available for non-commercial use only. © 2000 JSL

VIETNAM, SPIRIT OF INDOCHINA

WHAT I PACKED -

Three pairs of socks and underwear - Why three? One you wash, one you wear, and the third is a backup in case it's raining and yesterday's laundry just won't dry.
Three shirts - You can buy silk ones for a few dollars in Hanoi. They are lightweight, cool, and take up very little room. Your skin will be dyed the same shade as your shirt for the first two weeks (blue, in my case).
Two pairs of pants - cotton, a dark color to hide stains.
1 pair of longs
1 pair of durable sneakers
Flip-flops for 1) casual wear 2) relief from fungus 3) visiting ugly toilets 4) killing large insects.
Medication 1) for you 2) for villagers
Shampoo - with small plastic non-leaking bottle for refill.
Soap and detergent become one after about a week.
Hair ties etc - Unlike some other backpackers whose unwashed presence I've had the misfortune to come into contact with, I don't believe that traveling is an excuse not to bathe for weeks at a time. On the other hand, I also don't think you need the 432 assorted lotions and items that normally line your bathroom sink and cupboard. I survived on two days in a row without a bath.
Tampax - but they were hard to find.
Razors - Vietnamese are not known for having to shave.
Sunglasses - They can also get stolen, one backpacker had his shade whizzed off from his nose, can you believe it?
Bug repellent - This one is not optional. Mosquitoes carry malaria.
Hat - Vietnamese have developed and refined their conical hats over thousands of years. The result is lightweight, shady, cheap, and doubles as a handle-less umbrella in rainy weather and a fan in the heat. I, of course, look like a Vietnamese. Incidentally, everyone spoke to me in Vietnamese. "Hello, are you Vietnamese?"
Flashlight - This has doubled up as my light of life during the frequent power failures.
Pocketknife - Comes in handy when my paw aches from tearing and ripping stuff along the way.
Sewing kit - Saved my pants while it got ripped off as I alight from the cyclo.
Toilet paper - This one's a no-brainer. Always carry some in your back pocket.
Water bottles - Bring two if you can. This allows you to iodize one while you drink from the other.
Iodine tablets - I brought just in case.
Vitamins - Wish I had brought more.
Books - You can trade in the books you've finished reading. I brought too many.
Raingear - A rain cover for backpack and yes, it pours.
Zip lock bags - They have too many uses to count.
Pens/notebooks - indispensable for me.
Backpack - For clogging in real miles. It's worth it.


just experience \| just sights \| just blah \| just write all photos, travelogues and journals are made available for non-commercial use only. © 2000 JSL
*VIETNAM, SPIRIT OF INDOCHINA*
Why \| Journey Begins \| Packing List \| Accommodation \| Bargaining \| Illegal \| Arrest \| Transportation \| Culinary Fare \| Hygiene and Conveniences \| Bank and Post Office \| Television Network \| End of my Journey
	WHAT I PACKED - Three pairs of socks and underwear - Why three? One you wash, one you wear, and the third is a backup in case it's raining and yesterday's laundry just won't dry. Three shirts - You can buy silk ones for a few dollars in Hanoi. They are lightweight, cool, and take up very little room. Your skin will be dyed the same shade as your shirt for the first two weeks (blue, in my case). Two pairs of pants - cotton, a dark color to hide stains. 1 pair of longs 1 pair of durable sneakers Flip-flops for 1) casual wear 2) relief from fungus 3) visiting ugly toilets 4) killing large insects. Medication 1) for you 2) for villagers Shampoo - with small plastic non-leaking bottle for refill. Soap and detergent become one after about a week. Hair ties etc - Unlike some other backpackers whose unwashed presence I've had the misfortune to come into contact with, I don't believe that traveling is an excuse not to bathe for weeks at a time. On the other hand, I also don't think you need the 432 assorted lotions and items that normally line your bathroom sink and cupboard. I survived on two days in a row without a bath. Tampax - but they were hard to find. Razors - Vietnamese are not known for having to shave. Sunglasses - They can also get stolen, one backpacker had his shade whizzed off from his nose, can you believe it? Bug repellent - This one is not optional. Mosquitoes carry malaria. Hat - Vietnamese have developed and refined their conical hats over thousands of years. The result is lightweight, shady, cheap, and doubles as a handle-less umbrella in rainy weather and a fan in the heat. I, of course, look like a Vietnamese. Incidentally, everyone spoke to me in Vietnamese. "Hello, are you Vietnamese?" Flashlight - This has doubled up as my light of life during the frequent power failures. Pocketknife - Comes in handy when my paw aches from tearing and ripping stuff along the way. Sewing kit - Saved my pants while it got ripped off as I alight from the cyclo. Toilet paper - This one's a no-brainer. Always carry some in your back pocket. Water bottles - Bring two if you can. This allows you to iodize one while you drink from the other. Iodine tablets - I brought just in case. Vitamins - Wish I had brought more. Books - You can trade in the books you've finished reading. I brought too many. Raingear - A rain cover for backpack and yes, it pours. Zip lock bags - They have too many uses to count. Pens/notebooks - indispensable for me. Backpack - For clogging in real miles. It's worth it.