The Pack Itself

• most luggage limits is 20 kg (44 lbs) total, most backpackers get it down to 10 - 15kg (22-33 lbs)


• soft-sided, heaviest possible nylon fabric


• no dangling external straps unless there is a panel to cover them


• do want one with rings or loops so it can be tied down


• double stitched seams


• waterproof all stitching with a 'seam sealant' from a camping supply store (do your rain jacket as well)


• cover bag? or make sure every external compartment can be locked with a combination lock


• avoid an attached day bag unless it can be locked to main pack and LOCK IT


• pack - needles and heavy guage nylon thread / tube of sealant / patch fabric

For When I Get Down to the Details

Also, I can't emphasise enough the beauty and simplicity of putting links you'll need later (ie, not these ones) onto del.icio.us or listing tasks on ta-daa. When you're stuck in a country with ten minutes time on dial up, it's going to be so worth it.

del.icio.us[make sure you 'cloud' your tags by 'frequency' for absolute ease]

Ta-Da

Things to Buy

• MedicAlert bracelet


• The 'Eh' Blundstone Boot - check out the Cobbler on Fort

Track the Vaccinations

• diptheria -Nov/2004


• tuberculosis test -Nov/2004


• measles/mumps/rubella screening -?/?


• Hep B Shot #1


• Hep B Shot #2


• Hep B Shot #3 -2 Aug/2005


• follow-up to early Hep B -Sept 2005


• tetanus -Nov/2004


• malaria - get pills one month before


• yellow fever ($75)


• rabies ($95)


• Hep A Shot #1 ($60)


• Hep A Shot #2 (6-12m)


• thyphoid ($40)


• Japanese Encephalitis ($270) (0,7,30 days)


• polio booster?

Citizenship Steps

erm, not like I'm going to forget this part but I thought I should post it while I was thinking about it.