Packed: The good, the bad, and the ones that got away

I had planned to wear certain things for certain occasions. However, life happens.

When preparing for my trip to Berlin, I had a general idea of what I was going to do. I had planned to wear certain things for certain occasions. However, life happens. Sometimes the feet are just too damn tired to wear heels. Sometimes the weather is too damn cold to wear certain stockings. And sometimes you have a scarf that looks much better than the ones you had brought.
Here are a list of things that I had brought with me that were a complete waste of space:
Shoes
o   White platform boots
         §  I thought I was going to wear this when I went out Saturday night. Once I realized how much I had walked earlier that day and had planned the rest of the evening, I decided to ditch theses boots and go with the ones I had been wearing the entire trip.
o   Maroon Vans
        §  I was planning to take these with me when I went and used my skateboard. I left them behind the morning I left to explore because they would take up space in my pack.
Scarves (Yes more than one)
o   Maroon circle scarf
        §  This is generally a good scarf as it keeps my neck warm, but it didn’t go with any of the outfits I ended up wearing. So I went with a scarf that did.
o   Black Scarf
        §  I thought this would be the scarf I would use the most because it can go with anything. Turns out, it was just another scarf I decided not to use.
Sweaters
o   Sorority
        §  This black sweater did have a purpose for when I was on the plane for its thickness. However, once I went about exploring Berlin, I didn’t use it. It did have a bit of purpose, but I also could have survived without it
o   Canada
        §  This sweater I thought would be good to have in case I need a pillow. Turns out I didn’t need one at any point during my trip, wasting more of my space.
Blanket
o   I had brought this thinking I would get cold at my hostel. The last hostel I stayed at was a bit cold, so I decided to become prepared. The hostel I stayed at, however was very nice. Also, since the room was shared with seven other people, their bodies kept the room extra warm.
Computer
o   This I thought most definitely was going to be used during my downtime period so I can write and upload photos. However, I did not have any downtime. The time I had to “relax” was spent changing and getting ready. I only opened it at the airport when I was waiting for my flight, but this was only to upload photos. This honestly could have waited until I arrived back in Latina. SO, I could have been okay without this.
Perfume
o   So I like to smell nice before I go out, anywhere. I use deodorant on occasion, but haven’t found it necessary in the winter season. I sprayed myself Saturday morning with perfume, only for the scent to disappear about 10 minutes after stepping out into the cold.
        §  NOTE for fellow travelers: If it’s going to be cold, you probably won’t need perfume.

ALWAYS PACK SANDALS

Yes, I did bring many unnecessary things. Despite being extra prepared, there were some things that were left behind despite my little checklist that wasn’t checked.
Here is a list of things that were forgotten and made my life slightly miserable:
Sandals
o   The funny thing about traveling in January is you would never think to bring this type of footwear for this season. However, my hostel was filled with surprises. As soon as I arrive and drop my things off, I rush to the bathroom across the hall. Turns out this was under construction. Confused, I return to the staircase and luckily find a girl. She directs me to the bathroom upstairs. I quickly take a step in-only to have my foot completely soaked in water. To top it off, the room I stepped in was for showers and not for using the toilet. I certainly learned my lesson when it came to using bathrooms in a communal living space.
o   ALWAYS PACK SANDALS
Mini Towel
o   This was on my list, but through all my madness of packing, I had left it behind in my closet. When I needed to dry my just-washed face, I only had my used t-shirt to dry off with. Luckily I had at least the t shirt and not, let’s say, underwear! I am joking, but this experience made me realize some of the simple things we have in life that are taken for granted.
o   NEVER FORGET TOWEL
Lotion – Hands, body, etc
o   Before travelling, I prepared myself for the winter weather with clothes and accessories. Isn’t it amazing how one minor product can make such a significant difference in a person’s life? I forget any type of lotion except the one for my face. Saturday morning, my hands were very dry. I generally don’t have dry skin so I didn’t take this too seriously. When I returned to the hostel, I applied my face lotion to my hands. They became irritated, turned red, and began to burn. By Monday morning, my hands were still cracked, red, and irritated. I suppose it is for this reason, I won’t ever forget my hand lotion again.
o   STAY MOISTURIZED
Better Gloves
o   I had packed a pair of gloves. They were small and cheap. I had got them at Target in their $1 section. I picked them up mainly because I can use the touchscreen on my phone while wearing these. When I put them on in Berlin, I had noticed holes forming at the tips due to my long nails. By lunchtime on Sunday, the holes were large enough to fit the entire tip of my finger. I guess I didn’t need that touchscreen feature after all. To top it off, these gloves did not keep my hands warm. In fact, I had to regularly place these gloves in my bra to absorb the heat in my chest, and then put them on. Yes I do know this sounds strange. I knew how strange it was based on the looks people would give me on the metro. Since I wouldn’t see them again, I didn’t care too much of what they thought.

Despite the lack of or abundance of, there were some items I was very happy I had brought along.

There are things that should have been left behind while on the other hand, there are things that should have been brought along. Despite the lack of or abundance of, there were some items I was very happy I had brought along.
Here is a list of things that fulfilled their purpose to the maximum:
Extra charger or battery
o   For my camera I have two batteries. One is in use and the other is for the just in case one battery dies. Sunday morning, my camera battery had died. Unfortunately for me, I had left it behind at the hostel that morning. Luckily I was able to return to the hostel and pick it up and leave the other one to charge while I was away.
o   For Christmas, my host family had gifted me with a compact mirror that also acts as a charger for phones or tablets or other electronic devices. I didn’t realize how strong this compact was until I put it to the test the evening I arrived in Berlin. My phone was on 30% when I got off the plane. I needed it to be charged while I ensured the correct path towards the hostel. By the time I arrived at the hostel, my phone had reached 95%. To top it off, the compact was still 80% charged.
Black hiking boots
o   These are among my heaviest pair of shoes. I considered them to be very good for travel because of their durability and ability to tread through mud and rain. These were actually the only pair of shoes I used in my entire trip. They are very comfortable and posed the ideal pair of shoes to walk long distances in. They will most likely be used in my future traveling trips.
Extra socks
o   I may have gone a little overboard with scarves, I was right to go overboard with socks. I packed maybe a total of 9 socks. I had used every single pair with the magic of layering. Even with layered socks, there were occasionally some points when my feet would still be cold. So cold, to the point of even feeling a bit numb. So the extra socks may have been much, but they saved my toes.

Thank you everyone for taking the time to read this! I will be making my third post on Monday, so stay tuned for that.
​ALSO I will be uploading my new video collage of Berlin. Hope you enjoy it!