Brenna writes a travel and photography blog called “This Battered Suitcase“, where she catalogs her adventures around the world.  She has lived in Canada and Scotland and Japan, she has traveled to 60 countries, and she recently completed a 14-month-long trip throughout Asia.  This well-traveled lady has much to share about how to travel well!

Overpacker or underpacker: Notorious overpacker. You’d think, for all the long trips I’ve taken, that I would get better at this, but I have always loved having lots of options for my clothing and jewellery. I am also a notorious shopper, so whatever empty space there is in my bag quickly gets filled up with trinkets from my travels. Let’s just say I have spent many an hour in international post offices, sending things home. I am hoping to change my ways this spring when I depart for eight months in Central and South America; I buy a lot of local clothing to begin with, so I’m going to try and bring only the bare minimum and buy all of my clothes in the local markets.

Carry-on essentials: I must always have a book on me at all times, and on planes/trains/buses I usually have at least two. I also always have a journal and lots of pens, stationery for writing letters, an iPod, all of my jewellery, a toothbrush, makeup, extra underwear and/or swimsuit, an inflatable pillow, a laptop or notebook computer, and all of my cameras and chargers. My ideology is that, if I needed to, I should be able to comfortably live for a few days with only my carry-on if my main backpack is lost or stolen. My carry-on “trick” is to actually have two carry-ons: one large bag and one smaller bag that fits inside the large bag, the smaller bag holding the things I think I will need along the way (book, journal, iPod). I can then place the large bag in the overhead compartment and keep the smaller bag at my feet for easy access.  I actually just wrote an article on my essentials over at FareCompare.com.

In-flight activities: I am a rare creature who really doesn’t mind being on planes that much. Flying with certain airlines is certainly better than others, as I love the ones with personal TVs so that I can catch up on all the latest movies I’ve missed. Other than that, I do a lot of journal writing/scrapbooking and reading during flights. I’ve also just recently learned to sleep sitting up, so I’m finally able to nap a little bit on planes as well.

Traveling must-haves: I always carry little locks for my zippers as well as a small chain that I can use to lock my bag to a bedpost, train rack, etc. I also recently started using Mountain Equipment Co-op’s mesh bags for organizing my backpack into clothing, underwear, and laundry, and it made things much more organized on my last big trip. I also usually carry water purification tablets, a small bag scale (I really do shop too much), sunscreen, an umbrella, medicine and bandages, Tiger balm, and a small silk sleeping bag. I was amazed at how often these things came in handy!

Out-of-the-ordinary things you bring: I always have a few cameras on me – definitely my Canon G12 and my Superheadz Harinezumi camera, but I might also bring a Polaroid or fisheye camera, a disposable camera, etc. I also bring hair-cutting scissors – as a girl with bangs, I often have to trim my hair and I am usually too lazy to go to an actual salon while I’m travelling.

Packing a suitcase: I can’t remember the last time I travelled with a suitcase (I almost always have a backpack) but I try to keep it as organized as possible using the previously mentioned mesh bags. My backpack is the Arc’Teryx Altra 75 and it has amazing compartments and pockets, so it’s easy to know where everything is. When I do use a suitcase, I try to roll everything to maximize the space, putting shoes on the bottom and making sure toiletries are nice and secure. In terms of what to bring, I am a firm believer of bringing what you actually wear at home, not what you imagine you will wear when you are abroad. For my first big backpacking adventure six years ago, I bought expensive walking shoes, those hideous zip-away trousers, and all sorts of travel-marketed clothing – and I wore none of it. I only wear skirts and dresses at home, so that’s all I bring when I travel (save a pair of genie pants or some cut-off shorts). Bring clothes that you love to wear and that you feel beautiful in – you never know who you’ll meet on the road, and you want to feel your most confident!

Traveling advice: I truly believe that half the battle is actually making the decision to go. So just go, and try not to plan too much beforehand!