If you are traveling to a cold country for work or leisure related purposes, it is important to pay special attention to two things that you should carry in traveling-your first-aid kit and your footwear. This requirement becomes even more important when you traveling to a climate that you are not used to. However, if you are traveling to a place where temperature falls below normal, it is important to pay special attention to these two aspects.

Yet, temperature falling below normal is something that you should guard yourself against and these two things will help you take better care of yourself. If you are ill or if you are met with an accident, increase in body temperature can make a huge difference. Particularly so, if you are a visitor from a place where warm climate is common. Make sure you consult your doctor before you incorporate this as a part of your kit. It has been noticed that number of persons suffering from allergies during winter always increases as compared to summer.

When you are traveling to a country where the temperature is always low, you should prepare yourself to the risk of allergies. Allergies and skin problems are very common for those who are not used to the cold temperatures. Make sure your first-aid kit carries sufficient remedial measures for these two problems. From face moisturizers to pills and tablets that quickly reduce the negative impact of allergies – you should have sufficient material in your first-aid kit. A good pair of shoes is very important whenever you are traveling.

As far as footwear is concerned, you should opt for a pair of shoes that will keep your feet warm. You may feel so cold that you may think of wearing multiple pairs of socks instead of just a single pair. You should not face any trouble fitting your feet into the shoe. Further, you should opt for a relaxed fit so that you can wear multiple pairs of socks if you feel the need or urge to enjoy some extra protection. Try to have your feet enclosed at all times. Just like your head, feet lead to easy transfer of body heat. Get rid of the tendency to cut your budget for your foot wear as it is not just a question of comfort alone.

Do not compromise on quality when you are purchasing footwear when traveling to cold countries. If you are not used to the climate, you should always enjoy good protection from the cold at all times. Having a good quality shoe that simply tears off when it is put to rough use does not make sense.

If you are afraid that you will forget this point, just include it as a part of your first-aid kit.

Keep in mind, that travel first aid kit and a good pair of winter hiking boots are very important.

UNDISPUTED FACT 1: It only takes two words to make a backpacker’s eyes sparkle: “free laundry.”

UNDISPUTED FACT: : It only takes five more words to make that backpacker your friend for life:”do you want some dinner?”

Becoming a backpacker really does make one think how little you really need. Apart from my cd, I haven’t missed much since I’ve been travelling. It’s a bit of a worry to think that all I need to survive can be carried on my back. I was especially amazed to discover that I hadn’t had Wendy’s for over a month and was OK. And with only two pairs of shorts  and limited clothing options, it’s liberating to not have to deliberate over what to wear each day.

The backpacker’s eternal struggle is this: You have to carry your life. Too many bags, and you won’t get anywhere. Too heavy a bag, and you’ll drop from exhaustion. Therefore, you give yourself a set amount of space and weight, and you adhere to it. It’s like physics – if you buy something, something else of equal or greater size and weight must be farewelled. It certainly makes you think twice about impulse purchases. Personally, I wish most things in life worked like this – I think I’ll make an experiment of it next time I make a purchase at home. One thing bought, one thing tossed. It would definately remove the clutter, don’t you think?

Some hazards of the travellers life:

My new trainers now look like I’ve worn them continuously for ten years. Australia’s red center with all the clingy red dust is mainly to blame.

I got myself so sunburnt scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef , that I had to cancel my Daintree Rainforest tour.

I’ve lost either my shampoo or my conditioner I think a total of nine hundred times by leaving it in the shower long enough for someone else to claim it. Doh. I’ve yet to experience bed bugs, thank christ, but just barely. My best friend was not so fortunate. I felt itchy the entire day just looking at her.

Constant company is good but can be dreary at times. I imagine long term travellers must daydream about just one night in a empty dorm.Towels never dry fully. Damp towels = mouldy. Smelly towels + dirty trainers = musty smelling backpack. I have learned quickly that backpacking is not a way to impress people with your high sense of fashion. The true (female) backpacker wears zero makeup, hair tied haphazardly into a ponytail-ish bun, wrinkled clothes…and a big grin on her face because she’s more thrilled about the cheap food at her hostel than the shopping center accross the road. And on to the primary joys of the backpacker life:

Flexibility! Halfway through my travels from Adelaide to Cairns, I decided I wanted to stay a week in Melbourne with a guy I met. So I did. Simple as that. I love it!

I’ve met people from everywhere! I’ve had meaningful conversations with people from Australia, Sweden, Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain, Scotland, Wales, Japan, Canada, and the USA. (And those are just the ones I can recall in this drunken mess.)

While in Cairns, I made a new friend every night, even convincing a few of them to join me white water rafting.

While scuba diving in Cairns, I made friends with a Frenchman who invited me to visit him in Paris. I think I’ll give it a miss, but it was fun to be asked , all the same. I’ll always be able to brag about that now.

I’ve met friends in one part of the country, only to meet them again a few weeks later! Case in point, I met Kylie first in my Farmhand class in Tamworth, again two months later in Darwin, and again several weeks later in Sydne.Pretty much, I’d say that I rather enjoyed my try at backpacking Australia!