What NOT to pack

Ciao, Tutti!

While flipping through the channels the other day, I found a show which brought back funny memories. When my baby sister was in college, her friends turned her in to be on the show, "What not to Wear," for Christi's taste in dress. For over 1.5 years, Christi wore spaghetti-strap tank tops. Even in the winter. Madness.

I'd like to propose a new show: "What not to PACK". When it comes to travelling, packing is the most daunting concept of the experience. Even figuring how to get around a new city (with new transportation, new "home" location, new food types, all in a new language, even) is less threatening than the idea of giving up our home-based comforts.

Admittedly, too many rules or policies for anything drives me crazy. But some of the policies developed by the FAA since 9/11 have made such great sense to me! Who needs more than 50 pounds of stuff when you're traveling? Does where you're headed NOT have a supermarket? A food source? A sink? Also, who needs more than 3 oz of any liquid in their bags? You're just asking for a nasty spill!

SPI has given you a nice list of what you should pack. Definitely consider that list and your itinerary plans (when we tour on our first Saturday in Rome, we'll go into the Vatican - you need to have shoulders/cleavage/knees covered). So, here's my advice on what NOT to pack:
1. Anything more than 3 oz. of any liquid. Weigh your bottle of shampoo sometime, to see how much it really weighs. Need more shampoo or mouthwash? Pick it up at the supermarket (or beauty stores - they're all over Siena)!
2. Anything that needs a converter. Power surges will blow straight through converters, and I've seen them (and the converters themselves) destroy students' iPods, DVD players, and minicomputers. There are radios in the city, and computer labs both at the school and around town. Can't live without a hair dryer? Wait until you get to your homestay - they might have one there. And, if not, we can go shopping for one on our first day of classes - what a great gift to leave behind at your homestay (or to even have as a memorial of the trip)! Please don't weigh down your bags with expensive gadgets.
3. Anything you don't want to lose. Is it a family heirloom? It is something you can't live without? Consider leaving it at home for our brief stay. A lifelong loss of something priceless is way more painful than a few weeks' hiatus.

Siena has many universities in town, which means that they're going to have services you need all over the city. Remember how I mentioned that you could make it with nothing but your passport?

a piu tarde!
Laura :)