6 month trip to the USA....

[Roadie]

Hello

Haven't been very active on here recently, mainly due to my work load, but also trying to sort out next year and what i would be doing!

Well as the title says, I will be spending 6 months in the US from Jan till June touring as the sound tech for the Mwangaza Childrens Choir http://mwangazachoir.org/ going through Texas, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Colorado. I'll be doing a few shows a week and spending the rest of the time acting as a 'chaperone' for the kids. Two of my friends are also going to be helping out so that's good

Hopefully get to do some sightseeing and some other cool stuff while I am there, should be a great opportunity and experience for me

But guess what....I am once again not getting paid for it!! I just can't seem to say no to these things

So....
Any advice on what to take for a 6month trip, gonna have to limit it to what i can carry in one rucksack (about 60L) and keep it under the weight limit for luggage! Never really had to pack for a trip of this length, and i'm asking everyone i know to come up with suggestions!!

Hopefully i'll have a netbook for internet and camera dumps. So expect to see plenty of pics

Ryan!

[Gareth]

Sounds fantastic Ryan.

As to what to take....

I'd go light on clothes; they'll take up a lot of room in a 60L rucksack and can be had cheaply over there (I know you said you're not getting paid but do you have any kind of spending budget)?

Even if not clothes you'll still want to buy one or two things over there so leave yourself a good bit of packing space in your bag for any extras you might pick up.

[Roadie]

Sounds fantastic Ryan.

As to what to take....

I'd go light on clothes; they'll take up a lot of room in a 60L rucksack and can be had cheaply over there (I know you said you're not getting paid but do you have any kind of spending budget)?

Even if not clothes you'll still want to buy one or two things over there so leave yourself a good bit of packing space in your bag for any extras you might pick up.

Thanks for that, especially the last point Will be drawing up a rough list in the next couple of days and will post it to be scrutinised!

[Mr. Whippy]

Along those lines, pack only enough socks and underwear for a couple days.  There's a Walmart in every town.  Buy a 3 pack of each and wear and discard.  For toiletries etc same advice.  Tiny packages.  Replace as needed.  The UK pound will make American goods seem incredibly cheap.  It is hard to get money changed in the US, so either get dollars ahead of time or have debit/credit card for transactions.

There are laundromats all over the place.  But more importantly, young American women LOVE British accents.  You could easily go the entire 6 months and have people/women offering you home cooked meals and use of their laundry/shower etc.  I am totally serious.  If you're going to be in the West Virginia/Maryland/Virginia area, let me know.

 

[ducktapehero]

Sounds awesome. If you travel through the Ozarks(South Missouri or North Arkansas) gimme a PM or email. Tool wise, if I were doing it I'd carry a Kick. Simple, cheap and no locks so no matter what you'll be legal. Plus if you lose you it can get another at any Wal-Mart.

[nuphoria]

Great stuff dude, you'll have a whale of a time 

I'd definitely pack light and do some shopping, especially if the exchange rate is still good. As for throwing away underwear, I have to disagree with that as it's a horrible waste of resources 
You only need a weeks worth anyway and get to a laundrette regularly to chat up the birds

I'll be in NYC and NC in April myself... just booked a little trip for us 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Yay, we're getting rid off you for a whole half a year

So let me get this straight, the British Transport Police have got you down as a terrorist, so you thought you'd go somewhere where every bugger has a gun, and a desire to ''pot'' a terrorist

I'd be just taking the barest essentials, and stuff to keep you and your kit in good repair

Other than that, I believe there fairly well stocked over the pond

[nuphoria]

 

[Pacu]

If your down around Houston Texas look me up. I'll point you in the direction of some good bbq, some excellent mountain biking, and world class catfishing.

As for packing  bring some shorts and a fleece. Standard Texas wear.  

As for tools ..pretty much any kind of blade is kosher here. Aside from butterfly knives, switchblades ......i can show you where to get those but good luck getting them home.

[Benner]

Dude that sounds awesome. 

[DaveK]

I've heard it's not safe to drink the water, and you'd better pack some teabags 

Sounds like fun mate - have a great time

[Pacu]

Tennessee and Colorado are true "Gods" country. I've spent alot of time backpacking thru the Rockies in Scouts in and around Colorado. Tennesee has some fine distilleries to get your flask filled.

[WhichDawg]

Congrats! (now he's gonna buy all our MTs! )

that's winter time buddy! Expect blizzard snows in Colorado (and cold) but you should be fine in the other states.
if your company is not going to pay you try to get them to buy you clothes "IF" you need them here (winter stuff)
and if you don't need it, everyone will be happy, but get something! you can't pack for all that time and weather
conditions.

always ask the locals or hotel people where the best food places are (and the reasonable ones) they usually
are very helpful with that.

I agree with Mr Whippy, talk to any females you like, your accent will open doors! (wink wink)
I wouldn't worry about crime much (similar to you) but make sure to lock everything and not
leave stuff unattended, times are tough all over.

your gonna have a blast! (I mean gerber) and we'll help you out as much as possible mate 

[Zack]

Feel free to ship some clothes here.  I will hold them for ya and ship them to you at certain intervals.

[Mr. Whippy]

Feel free to ship some clothes here.  I will hold them for ya and ship them to you at certain intervals.

Great idea.  Anything you want shipped ahead, I'll help out and ship to wherever you want, whenever you want.

[Gareth]

I've heard it's not safe to drink the water, and you'd better pack some teabags 

Sounds like fun mate - have a great time

And Marmite!  Don't forget to pack your own Marmite.

[J-sews]

Sounds like a fun trip Roadie! Hopefully you will have some time off to get out and do a little sight seeing.   Do you have a laptop computer you can take along to stay in contact with us?

[WhichDawg]

Hopefully i'll have a netbook for internet and camera dumps. So expect to see plenty of pics

Ryan!

poor Bob, the cold musta really got to him

[Benner]

Hehehe! 

[J-sews]

Or here's another idea; perhaps you could take along a netbook and post plenty of pics for us.







 

[AHB]

Or here's another idea; perhaps you could take along a netbook and post plenty of pics for us.
 

That's such a great idea, Bob... 

 

[Roadie]

Hey Bob, maybe I could take some sort of computer with me and connect it to that thing called the internet and maybe I could then take some pics on a camera of some description then sort of put them on the internet for people to look at.....well it's an idea....

Thanks for all the ideas guys

Laundry won't be a problem as we will be staying with host families for most of it so will have plenty of access to washing machines, i'm with Nuph on the throwing away underwear though, thats just wrong! Plus i like my boxers and socks (infact i'm quite picky about my socks, so will be taking my own )

As for Mike

[J-sews]

Hey Bob, maybe I could take some sort of computer with me and connect it to that thing called the internet and maybe I could then take some pics on a camera of some description then sort of put them on the internet for people to look at.....well it's an idea....

Thanks for all the ideas guys

Laundry won't be a problem as we will be staying with host families for most of it so will have plenty of access to washing machines, i'm with Nuph on the throwing away underwear though, thats just wrong! Plus i like my boxers and socks (infact i'm quite picky about my socks, so will be taking my own )

As for Mike

Well sure, I suppose you could do that too if you wanted. But I still like my idea better.


And as regards Nuph and the underwear; she suggested only taking a week's worth. Hell, doesn't she realize you're a guy? That would only be one pair!

[Roadie]

Hey Bob, maybe I could take some sort of computer with me and connect it to that thing called the internet and maybe I could then take some pics on a camera of some description then sort of put them on the internet for people to look at.....well it's an idea....

Thanks for all the ideas guys

Laundry won't be a problem as we will be staying with host families for most of it so will have plenty of access to washing machines, i'm with Nuph on the throwing away underwear though, thats just wrong! Plus i like my boxers and socks (infact i'm quite picky about my socks, so will be taking my own )

As for Mike

Well sure, I suppose you could do that too if you wanted. But I still like my idea better.

Don't get me wrong your idea has some merits but i just think my idea has the edge on it

And as regards Nuph and the underwear; she suggested only taking a week's worth. Hell, doesn't she realize you're a guy? That would only be one pair!

I thought that was what she meant....

[Sazabi]

Hey Bob, maybe I could take some sort of computer with me and connect it to that thing called the internet and maybe I could then take some pics on a camera of some description then sort of put them on the internet for people to look at.....well it's an idea....

Thanks for all the ideas guys

Laundry won't be a problem as we will be staying with host families for most of it so will have plenty of access to washing machines, i'm with Nuph on the throwing away underwear though, thats just wrong! Plus i like my boxers and socks (infact i'm quite picky about my socks, so will be taking my own )

As for Mike

Well sure, I suppose you could do that too if you wanted. But I still like my idea better.

Don't get me wrong your idea has some merits but i just think my idea has the edge on it

And as regards Nuph and the underwear; she suggested only taking a week's worth. Hell, doesn't she realize you're a guy? That would only be one pair!

I thought that was what she meant....

Ewwww.  *shudders* 

[J-sews]

Hey Bob, maybe I could take some sort of computer with me and connect it to that thing called the internet and maybe I could then take some pics on a camera of some description then sort of put them on the internet for people to look at.....well it's an idea....

Thanks for all the ideas guys

Laundry won't be a problem as we will be staying with host families for most of it so will have plenty of access to washing machines, i'm with Nuph on the throwing away underwear though, thats just wrong! Plus i like my boxers and socks (infact i'm quite picky about my socks, so will be taking my own )

As for Mike

Well sure, I suppose you could do that too if you wanted. But I still like my idea better.

Don't get me wrong your idea has some merits but i just think my idea has the edge on it

And as regards Nuph and the underwear; she suggested only taking a week's worth. Hell, doesn't she realize you're a guy? That would only be one pair!

I thought that was what she meant....

Ewwww.  *shudders*  

What? I suppose you're some sort of nancy-boy that changes your shorts twice a week?

[Sazabi]

Hey Bob, maybe I could take some sort of computer with me and connect it to that thing called the internet and maybe I could then take some pics on a camera of some description then sort of put them on the internet for people to look at.....well it's an idea....

Thanks for all the ideas guys

Laundry won't be a problem as we will be staying with host families for most of it so will have plenty of access to washing machines, i'm with Nuph on the throwing away underwear though, thats just wrong! Plus i like my boxers and socks (infact i'm quite picky about my socks, so will be taking my own )

As for Mike

Well sure, I suppose you could do that too if you wanted. But I still like my idea better.

Don't get me wrong your idea has some merits but i just think my idea has the edge on it

And as regards Nuph and the underwear; she suggested only taking a week's worth. Hell, doesn't she realize you're a guy? That would only be one pair!

I thought that was what she meant....

Ewwww.  *shudders*  

What? I suppose you're some sort of nancy-boy that changes your shorts twice a week?

  I change boxers at the same rate as my socks and shirts; every day, thank you very much. 

[nuphoria]

The way I figure it, you chaps get 4 days out of one pair right?

YOU DIRTY BUGGERS 

[Sazabi]

The way I figure it, you chaps get 4 days out of one pair right?

YOU DIRTY BUGGERS  (Image removed from quote.)

Hey, better than them going commando.   Where's that commando emoticon? XD

[J-sews]

The way I figure it, you chaps get 4 days out of one pair right?

YOU DIRTY BUGGERS  (Image removed from quote.)

Hey, better than them going commando.   Where's that commando emoticon? XD

(I'm scared that there might actually be one)