Travel Essentials

And what materials things does a zen minimalist need to accompany him on his international journeys? Those things which he cannot do without?

Well even the most esoteric traveler needs clothes, preferably clothes to suit the climate. One word: Layers.

Of course some form of readily negotiable medium of exchange: i.e., money or plastic.

And then there are what I consider my personal "five essentials":

A passport. Gotta have it. (Unless you are a spy?)

A plane ticket (Unless going to a bordering country. As a spy?)

A map. (Unless you've done it before.) (Maybe a CIA map?)

A recording device. Modern cameras take pictures, record sound and movies, some even read text! (A Spy camera.)

And good, dark, chocolate. It is nature's most perfect food, you know. When stuck in an unpleasant airport (*cough, cough, Boston Logan, cough*), trying to sleep at 2 a.m., it helps to have something else besides a Dunkin' Donut to nibble on. Why not have the best?

That's all I need (well maybe a toothbrush and deodorant could be considered a necessity for some people.)

What's on your "must have" list?