my frozen chicago butt will still be frozen...in iceland!

i can't believe it's right around the corner...i've been planning this trip since, when, last october? september?

i'm juuuust about ready to go. all i need to do is get a big suitcase and maybe a new pair of drinkin' shoes, and i'm ret ta go.

anyone have any good advice for a first-timer traveling overseas? any good luggage packing checklists?

you gonna get me a souvenir?

oh, and no advice, but have a great time and post many pics.

have so much fun, Anx!!! I'll see you in ChiTown in 9

please come back and tell us all what it was like!!! it sounds amazing...

have fun

fantasyislander said:

want an icelandic horse?

Natisse said:

thank you! and what are you going to do in chicago? do you have a night out planned?

Anx said:

I thought I'd organise a dinner for us all on the Sunday night... nothing huge just a nice meal. what do you think?

Anx said:

This is amazing...I can't believe it's finally here!
My suggestion is to keep in mind that your electric applicances (hair dryer, etc) won't work unless you have an adapter to plug into.
Also, be careful of polar bears trying to cop a feel...



I can't wait to hear all about your experiences!

I heard they drink a lot there and the woman are freaky..lol

Anx said:

it's what i've always wanted!!

Bjork is so fucking sexy. Yes, I said that.

I'm sooooo jealous of you guys. Darin's about off the walls, he SO needs this vacation. You're gonna have a BALL!

As for tips - make a copy of your passport, state ID and birth certificate (if you have it) and keep one with you (in a separate place then where you carry your real stuff) and leave one at home with someone. That way you've got all the numbers and info should anything be stolen/go missing.
Lay out everything you want to pack and take a third of it away. At least that's what I have to do. And make sure to leave room to bring home stuff.

oh - And I'm taking a day off work when you swing through on your way there so we can all go to Transmission.

CarrieMpls said:

Darin's going too?

applekisses said:

Darin and his bf, Denton.

I can't believe they're leaving me!

applekisses said:

thanks luv!

i got my adapters last week...i'll probably only need it for charging my mp3 player and using my laptop - i haven't been much for hairdryers the past few months.

and other than getting drunk in reykjavik over the weekend and detoxing it all out at the blue lagoon mud spa that sunday, i have no idea what's in store!

omg almost didn't answer your question!!!

with regard to packing - roll your clothes tight and reaallly cut down on what you take. the rolling will cut down on room obviously but also save on creasing your clothes so you don't have to iron and it's a lot lighter.

also, take natural fabrics

CarrieMpls said:

yeah...i heard that it's to my advantage if i'm a little knackered for my flight the next day. i don't know if i quite BUY that advice but i wanna go to transmission!

Natisse said:

co-sign. I'm a roll-packer too!

Anx said:

It actually is. I do my best to be tired or I never sleep on the plane. Even sleeping pills will just make me loopy.

CarrieMpls said:

i'm glad you're coming out with us that night - though we're going to be SO obnoxiously hyped up!

Anx said:

yeah, I imagine.

CarrieMpls said:

Geez, Carrie.....
you should know better than to use such a term like that on a site like this.
It can so easily be misconscrewed.

Illustrator said:

and Carrie!

Natisse said:

sounds like a plan. anywhere in particular you're thinking of doing the dinner thing? there's a chain of restaurants out here called LEONA'S that is kind of a crowdpleaser...they have a bit of everything.

Anx said:

yeah? cool!!! well, without hijacking your Iceland thread... we'll organise it real soon YAY!

Anx said:

I like to do non-itinerary vacations too. Why constrain yourself when there is so much out there to see and do?

applekisses said:

i want to do at least ONE silly bus tour type thing and i want at least ONE hardcore nature day. that's all i'm asking, other than a drunken weekend in reykjavik!

CarrieMpls said:

Definitely do the copies, definitely don't overpack. Good advice.

Find an ATM when you get there rather than using a $ exchange; your bank will generally give you the best rate.



Check with your cell phone company in advance to see what the story is gonna be if you have some need/desire to use your phone while you're there, just so you know, 'cause it's annoying to want to use it and not be sure whether it's going to cost you $1 or $5 or $1,000,000 per minute. Ditto if you use text messaging.



And don't forget to pack your sense of humor. It will serve you well when random shit comes up.


Have fun!

buy me some Sigur Ros albums!

HereToRockYourWorld said:

i already turned all my iceland spending money into travelers cheques!

what's the story on converting money, anyway? do i do it here in chicago, at the airport, in iceland....? i guess if i have trav chex, i might as well do it over there, right?

the idea w/ making copies of ID is a good one. thanks ladies!