Packing my hand luggage is stressful for me. That's probably the reason, why I usually have my bags checked. The main thing that annoys the hell out of me is the stupid law about the liquids. I know that in some way it's reasonable, but being a girl...I have to have my shampoo, conditioner, perfume, body lotion, hand lotion, hairspray, split ends serum and so on with me. I hope that at least some of you get me :) Even when I do have to leave all my pots and pans at home then there are some things that I will NOT leave behind. So, here they are:
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The infamous iPhone. I got my first iPhone a little over a year ago (if I'm not mistaken) and I can not imagine my life without it anymore. I might even be OK with being called an addict. I have my music on it, which I listen to every single day on my commute to work and back. I have my books on it - both audio and e-books - that I don't really read or listen to every single day, but I'm very happy that I have them with me. I have all my apps there, staring with Facebook up to my bank app from Swedbank (which I love by the way, I don't know if other banks around the world have that, but it's super handy - transfer money on the go, check your balance and so on). I love being connected to my friends and my e-mails while on the road. It's not so much that I couldn't live without these apps and the possibility of doing everything on the go - I really like it. And with my iPhone I always carry my wall charger as well.
One thing that annoys me on planes and in airports is the air conditioning. I have a dozen different allergies and dry air does not make me feel better. One of the things that it also does is dry your lips, so I always (and I mean always) have at least one chapstick with me. Actually two other things fall in to this category as well - hand sanitizer and hand cream. Maybe I'm the only person that notices or hears this, but when your hands get dry and you rub them together, they produce this awful noise like you're sanding wood. And when I think what it must feel like - I get goose bumps. I know, I'm weird like that :)
One more thing that I always!! have with me are the print outs of all my tickets, confirmations, reservations and so on. I think we've all read about the times when the global systems have gone down and people have stood in line for hours, just so that the person on the other side of the counter can see that you really are meant to be on that next plane to Where-ever. But! When you have your tickets and stuff printed out (CheckMyTrip ;)), you can flash them before their noses and they will see that yes - you are one of us. It also helps in hotels - I've had many occasions when the receptionist has said "Sorry, we don't have you on our list". Hah! Wait a second there, but I have the confirmation from you booking system printed out. Check the status or history of booking number 1234 and see that I AM supposed to sleep between your comfy sheets tonight.
As I am not graced with perfect eyesight, I have to wear glasses in order to see further that a few meters away. It's not uncommon that I can't recognize or see a friends that's coming towards me. I'm really sorry, but I just can't see you clearly enough. And when in an unfamiliar city, your sight is one of the key things to get you around. Especially when you have to switch planes in an airport - I wouldn't want to run in the opposite direction because that sign Gate 6B sure looked like a 8D. If you wear glasses then you probably know what I mean. You might ask - why don't your wear contacts then, it's easier? Well, my eyes get really dry with contacts and I have already told you about my love/hate relationship with air conditioning + you can't really sleep with contacts and I can't read with them in my eyes, I only need glasses to see across the hall.
So yeah, these are some or even the main things that I can't travel without. There might be a few more things, but since I can't really think of them then maybe they aren't so important after all.
What are the things that you can't leave behind?