What to pack?-- travel packing list

    

         Your bag is your life. The smaller it is the
             less it sticks outs and the less vulnerable
 you feel. The closer you can stick to it and
                less cumbersome it is the happier you will be.

Taking a cell phone has many advantages and is highly recommended, but several disadvantages worth noting. Firstly if roaming on your home network, call costs (made or received) will be significant (but SMS costs are manageable). Make sure the phone you take is of the correct type for your destination/use (i.e. 'unlocked' if you want to use local SIMs and the correct band (here's good link for those in US and elsewhere). For a 'catch all' international SIM card recommended are Cellular Abroad.

 Clothes may be light, but they are also bulky, so it is advisable to take a minimum and what you do take should be of decent quality and fit for as many purposes as possible. It is best to buy a good part of the following items in a developed country, i.e. your home country or when on a trip in developed hubs. At least a few sturdy/quality items from either specialist outdoor/travel clothing company or decent clothing bands will ensure durability, functionality and that you feel good in what you wear. The below ideas of quantity (they are only ideas, each individual has to travel with what he/she feels comfortable with) include what you would wear to initially (leave) travel in.

A camera: to what extent are you into photography? And how much time and effort do you want to spend on it? Point and shoot (compact cameras) aren't perfect for amazing photos but with a good eye for composition you can take reasonable pictures. However they are perfect to carry around carefree, light, less expensive, reasonable zoom and excellent for a record of people and places. For those serous about photography will want an SLRs, which will take better pictures, but (with lenses) might be considered too big/bulky for ultra-lightweight travel. If going the SLR route get good lens(es) including one with a long (300mm) zoom which makes all the difference for wildlife and shooting people discreetly from a distance (you might consider a teleconvertor).