A big mistake I made when I packed for international traveling is that I thought foreign countries had everything the USA had, only cheaper. Nothing could be further from the truth. Travelers should be aware that sizes are often too small, quality is worse, counterfeits are abundant, prices are often MORE expensive, and countries just simply don't have what you want outside of the US.
I am not super tall, but there have been times when I have tried on long-sleeve XXXXL shirts in 3rd world countries in Asia that didn't even reach my wrists. I often can't find size 10 shoes. You can't even buy deodorant or aspirin in China! Forget looking for English books and good luck finding a laundromat in places like the Philippines, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia or China.
Western food is difficult to find, too. I mostly eat locally, but sometimes I get homesick. Even looking for simple products like mustard in some countries is an exercise in frustration.
I also want to warn travelers to pack a coat for cold weather and mountain climbing. Not every country has tropical weather.
http://perpetualtravel.com/rtw/rtwpacklist.html
Believe it or not, but I would rather pack too much, than too little. You can't always buy what you need on the road. Westerners complain about how tough they have it, but they are blessed with abundance.
What do you pack for foreign travel?
I am not super tall, but there have been times when I have tried on long-sleeve XXXXL shirts in 3rd world countries in Asia that didn't even reach my wrists. I often can't find size 10 shoes. You can't even buy deodorant or aspirin in China! Forget looking for English books and good luck finding a laundromat in places like the Philippines, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia or China.
Western food is difficult to find, too. I mostly eat locally, but sometimes I get homesick. Even looking for simple products like mustard in some countries is an exercise in frustration.
I also want to warn travelers to pack a coat for cold weather and mountain climbing. Not every country has tropical weather.
http://perpetualtravel.com/rtw/rtwpacklist.html
Believe it or not, but I would rather pack too much, than too little. You can't always buy what you need on the road. Westerners complain about how tough they have it, but they are blessed with abundance.
What do you pack for foreign travel?