Negril Notes

Packing Time - 28 Days Out!

September 19, 2007

At 30 days out from a Jamaica trip I usually begin to stress about packing, rounding up all the supplies, and trying to remember all the things I forgot last time.

Well, this time I’m not stressed at all. Here is it 28 days, 14 hours and 45 minutes from wheels up and I’m completly confident in my packing and organization. I’d like to think I’m maturing, or that I’m learning from my past. But no, I just never unpacked from my last trip!

Don’t get me wrong, I unloaded the stinky clothes, and aired out my big rolling duffel bag, but afterwards I just dumped most of the stuff back in. Then when I moved to Brooklyn I threw more crap in it, and rolled it away in a rented storage space several blocks away. I’ll go get it this weekend and double check it against my list.

Yes! The List! I know how you all look forward to my Packing List, so without further ado: Here it is!

The Packing List - October 2007 Trip with Dad

Clothes (This is a two week trip, but I’m planning to get some wash done)

2 pairs - Swim Trunks (I plan to do more swimming this trip)
3 pairs ea Cargo Shorts (Somehow all my shorts have leg pockets these days)
3 pairs ea Gym Shorts
12 Assorted T-Shirts (I just blow through shirts and I usually bring a few silly ones like my Spongebob shirt that seem cool when I’m packing, but would make me look like a moron if I actually wore them in public)
6 Hawaiian Shirts (I deleted the golf shirts this trip, I think I look cool in Hawaiian Casual)
1 pair ea Jeans
1 pair ea Socks (This was 5 last time, what was I thinking?)
12 pairs ea Underwear
1 pair - Silk Boxers (Just in case)
Sandals
Flip Flops
Running Shoes (As if?)
Fleece Jacket (For to and from)
2 Ball Caps (Eagles and Phillies, though with the way the Birds are playing I may opt for an “I <3 NY” hat instead!)
A Collapsible Duffel Bag (The last few trips I used this for dirty clothes and stuffed my suitcase with souvenirs)

Health & First-Aid

First-Aid Kit (Simple, Band Aids, alcohol wipes, tweezers)
Benadryl Itch Stick (For creepy crawly bites - I recommend it highly)
Aloe Vera Lotion (Gringo burns)
Sun Block 30SPF Spray-On (Spray-On RULES!! Worth the extra $)
Sun Block Stick 30SPF (For my nose)
Sun Block for Sensitive Skin 45 SPF (For my face, no comments please)
Chapstick w/ UV protection
Bug Repellant w/ at least 30% Deet (Can’t use wimpy stuff in Jamaica)
Pepto Bismol Individual Packs of Caplets (Just in case of Bustamante’s Revenge)
Excedrin Extra Strength Individual packets also (Nothing better for a Negril hangover)
Vitamins
Hand Sanitizer (Sounds a little prissy, huh)
Wet-Ones (Put them in the freezer and use them to wipe your face. Woo Hoo! An old restaurant manager’s trick)
Condoms (I usually think up a funny comment here, maybe that was a jinx…)

Toiletries

Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Mouth Wash (I usually list floss, but I’m not living that lie anymore! Who flosses on vacation?)
Shampoo
Gel
Disposable Razors (I always bring 4, I know not why)
Shaving Cream
Moisturizer (Yeah, moisturizer!)
Hair Brush
Deodorant
Cologne (I’m a Polo man)
Towels ea Washcloth

Other Stuff

Digital Camera
Camcorder
AAA Batteries ea Energizer Max - 8 Pack
Laptop Computer (The Castle has WIFI)
DVD€™s
Disposable Flashlight (Rarely needed, but needed when needed)
Disposable Rain Ponchos (I’d delete this line, but I still have the same two ponchos I bought 5 years ago)
Disposable Lighters
Leatherman
Travel Clock
Cell Phone
Sunglasses
Breath Freshening Gum (Jerk Chicken is great, but …)
Candy for the Kids ea Non-melting, individually packaged, and yummy! (I usually come home with most of it, but I always bring some)

Mind and Body

My Jamaica Journal ea It€™s a leather bound journal Kristine got me a few years ago that I only use in Jamaica.
My Non-Jamaica Everyday Journal
A Good Journal Writing Pen (High quality, low friction. A Fast Pen)
Assorted Incense
My Travel Buddha
My Portable Sitting Cushion
Books:

Gone to New York - Adventures In The City by Ian Frazier
A Collection of Short Stories about NYC.
I thought it would be fun to read about my new home while in Negril.

The Bourne Supremacy - by Robert Ludlum
Working my way through the series backwards, don’t ask.

Zen Buddhism - Selected Writings of D.T. Suzuki
I like to think big thoughts on vacation.
I’ve been wanting to study more classical Zen writing.

Travel Supplies

Passport
Money some 20’s, and $100 in singles for tipping
ID, ATM Card, Credit Card
Travel Wallet
Plane Tickets
Printed Hotel Reservations
Pens (Half a dozen pens for immigration and customs forms on the plane. No one ever has a pen, and I like to be the hero)
Lonely Planet Guide to Jamaica ‘06 Edition
Jamaican Road Map (Don’t ask me why. I’m a map guy!)

That’s it for this trip, as always please feel free to comment.

Peace

Vinny

Filed under: Negril, Silly

27 Comments

1. Mad Gringo | September 20, 2007 at 6:38 pm

Love it!

Hawaiian casual - perfect.

If socks are required - think twice.

Enjoy those sunsets!
2. Nick | September 20, 2007 at 10:08 pm

You Know Vinny; Reading your thread, I just remembered that I have a duffel in the barn that I haven’t unpacked since my last trip to Negril in 1975. When I was single and traveling to far away places, that duffel carried a lot of odd ball stuff for snorlkeling, trading, and whatever. Not the clothes bag but the stuff duffel. I’m going to go out tomorrow morning and look in there. Maybe a little something special eah? or maybe just a wasp nest.
3. Heather | September 20, 2007 at 10:09 pm

Moved to Brooklyn??? HUH? Did I totally miss something or was that a joke? How could Vinnie FROM PHILLY leave us?
4. Chica | September 20, 2007 at 10:09 pm

How do you manage to wear 12 t-shirts and six Hawaiian shirts in two weeks?
5. Marko | September 20, 2007 at 10:11 pm

Yo Vinny…….nice to see da post……..you are organized mon…
mi go thru a lot of Shirts too……dunno why……but the more the merrier….lol
mi kinda torn between Blue Cave Castle and SeaStar for mi next reach……tuff choice
nice to be on da watta side since mi always in da watta….
but SeaStar does have dat nice pool too…
may come done to price……though both are hard to beat…
Enjoy your reach mi friend……lookie lookie out for dem hotties down der…..lol

Cool Runnings,
Marko
6. Jim & Donna | September 20, 2007 at 10:11 pm

Vinny how much memory do you have for the camera??? I did not see any listed. And you know we LOVE your pics!
7. Shell | September 20, 2007 at 10:12 pm

Should have posted my picture of Chelsea Negril on this thread in stead of the B/W one! If you havent gone there yet Vinnie its on 23rd street between 8th and 9th Ave. You’ll pay alot more than in Negril but hey.. its New York!
By the way Vinny just want to say I’ve always enjoyed your writings, be sure to post this trip and I hope to be reading about your new home on your blog.
Yep… the Eagles are looking sad..luckily I”m a STEELERS fan.
8. St. Louis Sally | September 20, 2007 at 10:12 pm

Passport don’t forget your passport have a great time
9. Nikki | September 20, 2007 at 10:13 pm

Vinnie….Don’t be a fair weather fan…EAGLES 4 ever!…You gotta be down with them win or lose!..Give them some time…They have to get used to each others rythyms..We’ll soon get it together!

Moving to Brooklyn was a good choice for you since you have such a connection with Jamaica…After all,there’s more Jamaicans in Brooklyn than in Jamaica …Juniors is a MUST if you already haven’t!

Enjoy your trip…Looks like your list is complete
10. DawnMarie | September 20, 2007 at 10:13 pm

Vinny,
I really enjoyed reading your list!
I love the comment regarding the silk boxers…LOL!
I also bring a lot of pens when I travel-everyone on the plane LOVES me! (I also bring extra gum).
Your sense of humor is fresh and upbeat and I truly enjoy reading whatever you have to say.
Have a wonderful trip!

BTW: Spongebob RULES!
Gotta wear the shirt!
11. MaryB | September 20, 2007 at 10:14 pm

Great stuff Vinny. Thanks for the laughs. Can’t wait for the actual trip report. You are so entertaining - always!!
Have a great trip!
12. Yetta | September 20, 2007 at 10:15 pm

Vinnie, you might want to reconsider one thing…………

“Mouth Wash (I usually list floss, but I’m not living that lie anymore! Who flosses on vacation?)”

Well mon, mi tinks one should pack floss..small ting, little space needed. Re-think,,,jerk pork, jerk chicken, esp. da lobster, chunks of callalou… if ya want to use the silk boxers take da floss! LOL Yeah, mi husband is a dentist, truly. I find I could not live without it in Jamaica esp with my lobster jones. Wish I were packing now but will have to wait till Dec. Have a great time!
13. Lisa | September 20, 2007 at 10:15 pm

VINNSTER….your packing list is longer than my 6+ month list….LOLOL! And, so far…I’ve only run out of deet & shampoo!!

Looking forward to seeing you again & whoop hollering with you on your B’day!!
14. Choochy420 | September 20, 2007 at 10:16 pm

I don’t get stressed out about packing cuz I usually never wear have the clothes I bring anyway! But I am at 44 days out and have the urge to pack too…crazy..
It’s still warm right now so the bikini’s and shorts can’t be packed yet….I have started organizing my travel items and getting gifts together so I guess that counts as packing.
I have found that the more I times I go back to JA the less I pack for myself clothes wise, this way I have room to carry gifts Then room to fill up on JA supplies ie. rums,spices and coffee!
Another thing I started doing was buying full size toiletries instead of the small travel size and giving them to my JA friend when we leave..he appreciates it and it also creates more room!
Let’s do a NYC area boardie meeting that would be cool.
I am 35 min. outside of Manhattan.
Sorry Vinny I am a J-E-T-S fan I don’t know if we can hang.
Just kidding….
15. Lizardbeth & Greg | September 20, 2007 at 10:16 pm

Good list Vinnie! Some things I noted:

Socks - I LOVE having lots of pairs of socks in Negril. Nothing like coming in from the sand, taking a shower and putting on some runners socks to hang around the room in. No picking up little pieces of sand that way!

Sunglass cleaner - my glasses get so mucked up from the salt water, that I love having the spray to facilitate the cleaning.

Qtips - I can’t live w/o these. After a shower, wipes all the salt that might be still hanging out in the ears.

Excedrin - Try taking before you go to bed. Stops the hangover from even showing up!
16. Yardie | September 20, 2007 at 10:17 pm

Welcome to the Big Apple. Guess you got tired of the long commute - LOL !
17. Pineapple | September 20, 2007 at 10:18 pm

I think I’ve found my soul mate! I love lists and Old Dread thinks I’m crazy but once I got it down to a science why mess with success! Way to go Vinny!
18. Gum | September 20, 2007 at 10:18 pm

â€¢ 12 pairs â€“ Underwear
Leave these at home, your in Jamaica mon!

SpongeBob t-shirts rock.

I had to stop bringing my favorite Grateful Dead tie dyes down, as a lady friend of my friend down there always seems to get cold and somehow has accumulated a nice collection over the years.
19. Gail | September 21, 2007 at 5:31 am

VINNY!!
San Francisco alumni..’75 to ‘78
Nobody parties like a Zen Buddhist!
20. Beth | September 21, 2007 at 10:50 pm

Hey vinny, its Beth from Jersey, thanks for the list, I will be in Negril on October 3rd with newbies, it should be fun, I cant wait, and thanks for the list, I am bringing the same lol
Beth
21. Emily | September 21, 2007 at 10:51 pm

so funny! i consider myself lucky if i remember underwear and a toothbrush when i come down! your organization is enviable.
22. Emily | September 21, 2007 at 10:52 pm

You are too funny! I loved reading your list! Thanks for the smiles!
23. Mama Levi | September 21, 2007 at 10:53 pm

You are too funny! I loved reading your list! Thanks for the smiles!

When are you going to be there?? I’ll be there Oct 23rd-31st! I’m at CocoLaPalm! See you there?
24. DolfinKraz | September 21, 2007 at 10:54 pm

Vinny,
I’m printing your list for my brother-in-law who will be a negril newbie in Nov. Though he can eliminate quite a bit but something he can get an idea from. I bring to much “IN CASE OF” clothes that I never wear. I’m only checking one bag for me and the other to leave behind.

Sorry to stray from negril subject but…

Yea dem Eagles havin probs too!! Ya’ll using some of the excuses we are down here…except we have “they haven’t played at home yet!!” WHO DAT!! Monday night against the Titans (OMG - they gave the Colts a run last week)! And we’ll be der!! (At least til the end of the 3rd qtr - hate to stay up for nothin).

Mare - thought he could kick de ball. But u know what the prob is….he’s wearing a gris gris number 2 - Aaron Brooks’ old number.

Least we can say GEAUX TIGERS!!
25. Waterfrontman | September 21, 2007 at 10:55 pm

yo vinny your list making me tired sure dont know how easy it is to pack when ya live in fl just get on plane.in brooklyn BEST STEAK HOUSE IN WHERE EVER PETER LUGERS UNDER DA 59TH ST BRIDGE ( BEST ITALIAN IN NEW YORK GO OVER BRIDGE TO IL VAGABONDO PLAY BOCCI AND EAT GNOCCHI TELL EM UNCLE TEDDY SET YOUSE DER have a great reach
26. Bram | September 23, 2007 at 5:35 pm

You can also use http://www.packinglistonline.com

an online tool that creates a customized packing list that is very easy and for free.
27. SISTERTHERESA | September 24, 2007 at 9:38 pm

Hi Bro, funny list. I hope you get to wear your silk boxers but wait until Dad goes home!! LOL. Have a blast. Take tons of pictures and I can’t wait to hear all about it and you haven’t left yet!! Love you, Your sister!