Luggage And Bags: Bring a bag that zips closed and doesn't just have a single snap in the middle, leaving the rest of the bag open. There ARE cases of pickpockets so keep it under your arm and don't be a floozy. Also, a roller suitcase that you KNOW you can carry up and down stairs (metro stairs...assuming you take the metro from Heathrow airport) If you take a rollersuitcase, make sure your bag either slings over your body so your hands are free to carry your bag.
Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Wear comfortable shoes, ladies. I seriously grew up wearing heels (wearing sneakers everywhere was a no-no with my lady-like mother) and I brought all heels with me. However, heels and COBBLESTONES do not mix. (Horrid memories of trips to D.C. in heels...heels and gravel...::shudder:) Bring lady-like flats (from JCrew or otherwise). They go with pants, skirts and you still look cute. Make sure you get arch support ot padding from Boots or something because you will be doing a lot of walking on hard cement/cobblestones/the very bumpy non-skid area which is found on every corner in London. Flats all the way!
Toiletries & Medical Supplies: Bring your own deodorant. They don't make a lot of American deodorants here and I know of too many cases where people have to study here for 6 months or so and only have one thing of deodorant. Bring it and you will feel right at home. Also, any make-up, lotions, and medicines that you don't think are available in London. The medicines here (ie. cough syrups or tylenol) are called different things here, so come prepared with things you know that work on you (like your favorite cough drop) because you never know if you can find it here. I was sick when I first arrived and thank god my mother made me bring tons of tylenol, cough drops, and vitamin C candies with me.
Photo Equipment: Some digital camera battery chargers do not have flexible voltage. You need to get a voltage CONVERTER (or TRANSFORMER) for this. YOU CANNNOT USE AN ADAPTOR (which you might use on a laptop comptuer) because your appliance will BLOW UP. Make sure it transforms the voltage to the appropriate settings.
Miscellaneous: If you're going to be here awhile, bring your favorite foods because they will most likely not be available here (ie Goldfish crackers and PEANUT BUTTER). Also, they don't have Hershey's chocolate here, so bring a couple bags of Hershey's chocolate kisses or something and you can use it to give as presents to locals or to bribe airport officials. It's a very rare commodity here and has helped me in more ways than one...plus, it's always great to snack on during that "time of the month." Tee Hee! Sorry! TMI! :-P
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