Packing Considerations: Part III

With about 40 hours left before I hop a plane for Detroit before connecting through Amsterdam to Copenhagen, it's time to finalize my packing list.  Last post covered clothing, and this post will cover everything else.  As there were several questions regarding electronics, I'll get straight to those first.

To begin, let's start with an extremely basic primer on electrical systems.  Electrical systems are rated on three metrics - voltage, amperage, and oscillation frequency.  We'll start with the oscillation frequency, because it can usually be ignored entirely.  The vast majority (100%?) of connections you will encounter will fall somewhere in the 50-60 Hz range.  This works out well, because the tolerances of most devices manufactured is the 50-60 Hz range.

To explain the other two metrics, it's helpful to draw a comparison to a plumbing system.  Voltage is similar to water pressure, and amperage is similar to the width of the source pipe.  A higher voltage puts more strain on the system, while higher amperage allows for a greater maximum power draw given the same voltage.  A device will limit the amount of amperage it draws to what it needs, so as long as your power source can supply as much voltage as your device needs (and with the possible exception of high-amperage devices like hair dryers, it almost certainly can), you can trust your device to regulate the power flow properly.

It's voltage you have to worry about.  Running too little voltage through a device is less than ideal - you're likely to have a device pulling too little power that doesn't work properly.  Running too much voltage, however, will cause catastrophic failure, including melting, fire, explosion, etc.  Thankfully, after checking each device I'll be taking (MP3 player adapter, phone adapter, and laptop adapter), I found that each of them supports 100-240v connections.  Their tolerances are such that they can work with pretty much any power system in the world, so I won't need any sort of electrical converter to make use of them.  Hurrah!

The other side of the coin, however, is the physical nature of the plug system.  Scandinavia uses the European two-prong plug style, so I'll need a physical adapter to allow my devices to plug into their outlets.  Thankfully, my MP3 player was never released in the US, so the power adapter I have for it is of the British Type-G plug.  This necessitated the purchase of a physical adapter years ago for use in the US, and now I can simply use it for my overseas adventures.  To the left is a picture of my physical adapter.  I'll be using the European Type-C plug on the adapter, and then I can plug in any style I wish on the front (I have Type-A and Type-G plugs).  The only concern I have is that Danish Type-C plugs are sometimes deeper than regular Type-C - hopefully it won't be a problem.

Another topic I wanted to discuss was that of knives.  I originally planned on bringing a pocket-knife and my razor for shaving.  I discovered, however, that Denmark doesn't allow folding blades longer than 2.5 inches to be carried on one's person in public.  Since I'll be carrying around everything I'm taking most of the time, this rules out my initial shaving plans.  Instead, I'm leaving my knife at home, and taking a few disposable razors instead.  This is why it's important to do research beforehand.  I could have had a very meaningful gift confiscated and been in trouble with the law if I hadn't checked that sort of thing in advance. 

Finally, before I present the rest of my packing list, I want to say a short word on money.  For security reasons, I will not be outlining the specifics of my money situation.  I will not divulge how much I will be carrying, in what forms, or by what means.  I will be documenting costs for everything I purchase, and will write up a blog post regarding my money strategy for publication once I'm on my way back home.  To that end, even though it may seem that my packing list has no monetary considerations - believe me, it does.

Without further ado, here is the remainder of my packing list:

Administrative

• Passport (Must be carried at all times)
• Driver's License (Extra photo ID, just to be safe)
• Insurance Card
• Metal cable, padlock, and key (For securing my bag on trains, for hostel lockers, etc.)
• Eurail Passes
• DSDR Cruise Ticket
• Paperbacks (For long layovers and such.  Good Omens, and The Basic Writings of Kant)
• Laundry Bag
• Drawstring Bag
• Plastic Bags

Survival

• Flashlight + Extra batteries
• Compass
• Map(s)
• Danish Phrasebook (Kan du gentage det?)
• First Aid Kit
• Carabiners  (Can never have too many of these)
• Fork/Spoon/Knife/Cup
• 1L Water Bottle
• Water Purification Tablets (Won't need them, but they take up next to no space, and better safe than sorry)

Toiletries

• Sunblock
• Spare contacts in a case
• Contact fluid
• Glasses in hard case
• Sunglasses
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Disposable razors
• Shaving Brush
• Shaving soap
• Deodorant
• Combination Shampoo/Body Wash
• Nail Clippers

Bedding

• Bottom Sheet
• Top Sheet
• Pillowcase
• Microfiber Towel
• Inflatable Pillow

Electronics

• Physical Plug Adapter
• MP3 Player & Adapter
• Netbook & Adapter
• Cell Phone & Adapter (Airplane mode - for time and alarms)

And there you have it!  Am I taking too much?  Too little?  Let me know below!