QUICK TIPS: Living like a hobo

And when I say "like a hobo", I mean it in the kindest way possible. Living like a hobo is, quite simply, living out of a suitcase (or if you're from Australia, the Waltzing Matilda). I digress.

Having to live out of a suitcase is never pleasant, but it's made a lot easier if you know how to pack correctly. I have had two occasions now where I've spent 2-3 months living from a suitcase - first while I was in Drum Corps, and second while I was TDY to Japan last summer. The first question to ask is - do you have a bed? If so, you can already mark one item off of your list - the air mattress. If you don't have a bed, make sure this is the first thing you pack, or you'll be in for an uncomfortable living situation all the way around.

As I said in my quick moving tips, your suitcase needs to be in good condition. Make this your top priority. Moving right along, here is a list of things I recommend you bring with you - whether you're going to be living from your suitcase in Denver, CO or in Dushanbe.

- Clothing. Don't overpack though - remember, your living situation is temporary, and you may have to unpack and repack several times. I would recommend only bringing the clothing that is absolutely necessary (no more than 2 weeks worth of clothes). If you might be going a while between laundry trips, I would suggest packing your clothes by outfit, in gallon sized (or larger) Ziploc bags. If you push the air out of the bags, it helps to keep your suitcase organized and leaves lots of room for the rest of your items. And just because it's proved handy for me before: bring extra socks/underwear.

- Sturdy shoes. Shoes get their own category in my packing list. Bring tennis shoes, and shower shoes/flip flops. If you need to dress nicely, I would bring ONE pair of black dress shoes. Remember that shoes are HEAVY ladies... do you really need 10 pair of shoes?

- Toiletries, essentials. I learned the first time that I lived out of a suitcase that if you don't need to bring the Costco sized shampoo and conditioner, don't. Ask yourself this simple question - am I going to a third world country? If you answered no, you can buy your shampoo/conditioner there. The only things that I've found which vary significantly from America are toothpaste and deodorant (namely because I'm convinced that half the countries in the world don't have proper grooming skills). Again, take what you need but give some definite consideration to your quantities. Oh, and ladies - don't forget your feminine hygiene products. I NEVER trust those products overseas... they're totally different.

- Flashlight/Batteries. You never know when the power might go out, or when you might need one. Just take it. Trust me. I got stuck recently in tropical storms in a 5 star resort in the Dominican Republic. That's right folks, we lost power.

- Basic medication. Just because it's summer doesn't mean you won't get sick. If you won't have access to medicine, this is EXTREMELY important. During the summer when I marched with the Blue Knights, I caught pneumonia and it went for weeks before I could get in to see a doctor. Early prevention is key. At the very least, I would always pack aspirin/Tylenol, travel cough medication, TUMS, and Imodium. Don't forget the Imodium if you're traveling to a country with sketchy water.

- Band Aids. Enough said.

- Sewing Kit. They usually have travel sewing kits at the airport, and you never know when you might need one.

- Baby wipes (and a pack of travel-sized tissues when you go out in public). These come in handy in a variety of circumstances. Many countries have... shall we say... questionable toilet paper situations. Plus it can't ever hurt to have wipes for cleaning your hands, etc.

- Hand sanitizer. Because you never know if things are as clean as they look. I'm going with "no".

- Appropriate power adapters. Check the voltage before you go, and be sure to get your converters.

- Snacks. Granola bars or beef jerky are great. Be sure to pack something that comes in its own wrapper/container that won't spoil.

- If you need Internet access for your laptop, bring a phone cord. Most hotels in other countries don't have wireless Internet (and even if they do, be VERY careful... wireless security can be poor to non-existent).

- Camera. I always bring my camera... you'll want to document your living conditions for a good laugh in the future.

Things not to pack when you're living out of a suitcase:
- Valuables.

- Heavy non-essential items. I'm a big reader, but I need to remind myself to bring only paperbacks, and only a few books - remember, you have to carry what you pack (and you may need to make weight at the airport).

- Curling irons/hair dryer/hair styling doo dads/complete makeup collection. This is just my personal thought... these items take up lots of space and really, you look great without all of this stuff. No, really - you look great.

Things to carry with you at all times:
- Passport
- Credit cards/Cash
- Valuables (if you had to bring them).
- Laptop computer. This is my personal suggestion, which may or may not be feasible. If you are bringing a laptop or cell phone to another country, I HIGHLY suggest you keep it on your person... you never know who might be snooping around in your room.

I hope this helped some, and while I'm sure there are more items that I can add to these lists, this should be enough to at least get your hamster running on his wheel. And remember, living out of a suitcase can be fun... just think of it as an adventure - like camping?