One more thought... be sure you have a list of emergency contact names/numbers just in case you aren't able to share that information.  If you are going to a country where English is not your first language, have it translated.  A friend of mine fainted and hit her head while in Rome (the heat got to her)   The people who helped her didn't have any way to contact her family to tell them she was in the hospital.   Plus, she is diabetic, but her health information was in English. 

It was a mess, but she ended up being OK. 

Well, if it comes down to it I only need my documents and a passport. Everything else can be bought. I can probably rent a car without my glasses (although it says differently on my license).

But then, why should I do this unless I have a strong reason for it. I'd rather lug around some unnecessary stuff then miss it later.

It really comes down to how you define essentials. I usually don't travel as long as you, so I consider a change of underwear for each day essential. In your case you have to do laundry anyways.

I also consider my camera essential, since taking pictures is the main reason for me to travel as a photographer.

Once I consider my camera essential, I might as well lug around my whole photo backpack (Tripod, Image Tanks, Chargers, Lenses, Filters, Cleaning Equipment).

Then once I drop a lot of money to go somewhere, I cannot afford the camera to break. Should I take a replacement body?

You see, it depends on where you go and why you go. On a cruise ship you don't need to bring a lot, but I wouldn't go to the jungle without a GPS for orientation. 

Interesting. Here in the U.S. they have a list of translators who they call in case someone doesn't speak English. You only need to point towards your language.

Andre

My Photo Site

It is also a good idea to make copies of important documents, like your passport, should something ever happen to originals.

I was thinking in terms of a sort of mental checklist.  If I know I have all of these things, the rest might be important, but I'll still be able to make the trip.

 It was totally different when I packed for the trans-Africa trip. We were in countries where you couldn't buy anything, like Tanzania under the great socialist experiment, and Zaire.  I even had to consider how much toilet paper to buy every time we got into a place that had some in stock.  I had to take a five month supply of feminine products, birth control pills, and if I forgot or lost a pair of jeans, that would probably be it until London.

I'd have to add, a book, my cellphone and my laptop. Trust me, you don't want to be near me if I haven't got access to my laptop for more than 12 hours (TOPS!), I read when waiting (low patience level) and my cellphone has all my contact numbers and GPS.

I keep all my contact numbers in an on-line address book.

And I'm not talking about what I'd want, but what I'd need.  I'd walk out of the house without a book, but I'd hit the airport shop.  I've traveled without toiletries, and shopped as soon as I arrived.

Thank-you for posting that important information. So many people when going on vacation forget to bring copies of their prescriptions. As an older individual I know how important to make sure that you have all of the crucial medical information handy just in case you get into trouble.

Definitely bring an extra pair of glasses or contacts. I wear eyeglasses, and one of my lenses broke the second day on a cruise. I didn't have the Rx or a replacement set, so I ended up going around squinting at the world out of one eye. Never again!

A similar experience happend when my wife and I were traveling with friends a few years ago. My friends wife was taking out her contact before going to bed, she had the water running in the bathroom sink. She dropped the contact and down the drain it went. She didn't have her prescription with her and no one wants to see Paris with one clear eye and one blurry.

All those essentials plus, for me, it depends on where the trip takes me.  I believe in packing what I need to be comfortable, but then again, I'm not into trekking.

well you don't have to be a trekker to go prepared.  But you are right about being comfortable.  Something else people should consider is letting someone back home know where they can find the crucial information in case something happens to you abroad.  Perhaps giving them a list of important names and contacts (i.e. family, insurance, doctor etc). 

I lost a lens on a trip and was moving around too much to get it replaced.  I winked a lot.  It caused some confusion a few times.

Well I am the type person that takes everything I might need. Which always ends up being way too much. I make a list but always take way more then is on the list.  Most of the things I never use, but just feel better having it.