Packing List for the 2005 trip
IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER:
On the plane, you are limited to one carry-on bag and one briefcase/purse in the cabin. This does not mean a backpack and a carry-on bag. If you have both, they will probably make you get rid of one.
Bring only one bag to check. Air France limits checked bags to no more than 25 kilos (66 lbs.), but we want you keep it below 40 lbs. This is because you (and others) will have to move or carry it AND your other stuff sometimes, and you will want to buy things while you're there.
From the SNCF website: "Dans les trains, ne prenez avec vous que des bagages que vous pouvez facilement porter et ranger dans les espaces prévus à cet effet. Veillez à ne pas gêner la circulation dans les couloirs avec des bagages trop volumineux ou nombreux."
The total of the 3 dimensions of any bag (height, width, & depth) that you want to bring on the train may not exceed 2.5 meters (97.5"). I'll be measuring, so if you bring a bigger bag, you'll have to leave it behind and pack your stuff in cardboard boxes from the airlines and buy something to carry it in France.
That being said, I'd like to emphasize that you'll be a lot better off with a much smaller bag. Try to limit its dimensions to those of a carry on bag: 22"L x 14"W x 9"H or 45 total linear inches. This is what I carry, along with my academic bag as a carry on. NOTE: We will be giving a prize to the person who travels the lightest!
DO NOT LOCK YOUR BAG! The TSA will cut off your lock or do what they have to to get in should they so desire. If you feel you must lock your bag, you will need to purchase a special lock that can be electronically opened by the TSA. See a travel equipment professional for details.
Clothing:
4-5 casual outfits (interchangeable tops and bottoms work best). Avoid bringing very many jeans or other 100% cotton garments, as they are relatively heavy, bulky, and easily wrinkled. I try to stick to silk and cotton poly blends, which are none of these.
1 nice outfit for going out on the town and our farewell dinner in Paris
underwear
socks
sleepwear, including slippers
1 sweatshirt, sweater, or jacket
2-3 pairs of shoes (One pair should be particular sturdy for extensive walking - I usually bring one pair of nice leather shoes for school, one pair of Sandals, and one pair of informal ones. I wear my walking shoes on the trip over & back.
swimsuit (& sunscreen if you burn)
raincoat (don't bring an umbrella: you should be able to borrow one in France)
Note: Shorts,
jams, baggies, halter tops or otherwise midriff-exposing and spaghetti-string
tops, trashy t-shirts or pants, flip-flops, ball-caps,
and other informal garments are inappropriate for most
situations in
France. If you wish, bring a pair of shorts or two for around the house or extremely
hot weather.
Other items: toiletries (try to stick with travel-size) stationery address book adapter/converter (if you're bringing electrical appliances)
Again, try to avoid these as you can usually borrow what you need in France. band-aids pain-reliever money pack to hide valuable papers & money (neck or waist) small backpack small family photo album camera and film (avoid expensive items like camcorders,
etc.) walkman and tapes/CD's books, cards, puzzles gifts for the host family: beach towel, t-shirts or
sweatshirts, Olympics or Coca Cola souvenirs, pecans,
peanuts,
peach preserves, book on Atlanta, etc.)
Note: Leave your cell phone at home unless you have a multi-band GSM model. The standard American cell phone will not work in France. Leave your laptop and your video cam at home too. You'll get sick of babysitting them, and power conversion is a pain.
Pack in your carry-on luggage:
passport & any other official travel papers
traveler’s checks in American dollars or a credit/debit card*
$50 worth of Euros in cash
your insurance card and official trip documentation
1 full change of clothes
light sweater or jacket in case it's cold when we get there
any necessary medications
prescriptions for necessary medications & eyeglasses/contacts
toothbrush/toothpaste
walkman/cassettes/CD's/mp3 player
book, cards, puzzles to pass the time in transit
Bring for class:
loose-leaf notebook and paper
blue or black pens
pencils
dictionary
any other supplies you normally use
* Travelers' checks are the most secure way to travel with
money to France or to anywhere, for that matter. Unfortunately, they are
less convenient, because you have to go to a bank or post office with your
passport to cash them, and they often do not garner the most favorable
exchange rate. Such a situation does, however, give you good cultural
experience and an opportunity to use your French in public.
The other option is a debit or credit card. Prepaid cards or debit cards are
the best, because it's your money and despite an ATM fee of anywhere between
$2 and $12 (depending on the bank), you aren't subjected to interest from
the time you make the withdrawal as in the case of credit cards. Credit
cards usually carry a high interest rate which, if you use them to get cash,
starts to accrue the minute you do so. There are often other fees involved
as well, and, as of 2005, many credit card companies have added a 3%
"exchange" fee just to cover the "cost" of currency
conversion.
I travel with one debit card for cash withdrawals, one credit card for
purchases, and a couple hundred dollars in travelers' checks for
emergencies. If you decide to go with a card, just be sure you understand
that credit card fraud is out of control everywhere, especially in important
tourist destinations like Paris. There are literally people with telescopes
or strategically placed miniature cameras watching ATM's and recording
people's card numbers and PIN's.