When traveling abroad there are some things you should always carry around with you. Some of these essentials are taken for granted in the United States. It’s not until you spend a few days in another country that you realize the luxury of these seemingly necessary items. After spending two weeks in Thailand, here is what I now carry around with me.

1. Hand sanitizer
Most bathrooms in Thailand do not have hand soap. When you are out and about it is important to keep your hands clean.

2. Toilet paper
Most bathrooms also don’t have toilet paper. Carry around tissues, wet wipes, or toilet paper just in case toilet paper is not provided within the bathrooms.

3. Water bottle with ice cold water
I cannot stress this enough; it is HOT in Thailand. Bring around a water bottle to stay hydrated to help you better tolerate the weather.

4. Fan
The descriptive language we have used to portray the heat is actually quite impressive. The ACT & SAT vocabulary words have resurfaced from the depths of our brains. Thankfully the time and money we spent on taking those standardized exams did not all go to waste! Bring a fan to cool off.

5. Camera or anything you use to take pictures with
You will want to capture the moment to send to your parents and even to remember for yourself. If you are anything like myself, you will want to post pictures on Instagram to share your experience with friends and family. Bringing your phone or an actual camera around with you is a must. Also be sure to follow @psutakesthailand on instagram to stay updated on our adventures!

6. Bug spray
They weren’t lying about the bugs. The bugs in Thailand are EVERYWHERE. There is no escape. But bug spray helps to mitigate the situation slightly.

7. Anti-itch cream
The bugs will attack you legs and arms. Strong will and determination to avoid scratching your bug bites will only take you so far. Save yourself from scratching all your skin off and buy yourself some anti-itch cream instead.

8. Sunscreen
The sun is relentless. You pretty much always need sunscreen if you are going to be outdoors here in Thailand. It’s important to protect your skin so always pack a small bottle in your bag.

9. Sunglasses & hat
There are some days when I have walked outside and have a hard time opening my eyes. Bring the sunglasses so you can actually see. And if you are having an especially bad hair day, a stylish hat may be the best solution.

10. Elephant Pants & Silk Scarves
You never know when we are going to stop at a temple along the way 555!