What would you bring on a weekend trip to a small island?

April 28, 2008 1:11 PM

What would you bring on a weekend trip to a small island?

Imagine you were going to spend the weekend at a friend's house on a little island off the coast of Maine. There are no shops on the island and you won't be able to leave while you're there. Also, you've never been to this house before, so you can't assume it will have more than any house might.

What, besides clothes and toiletries, do you make a point of packing?

(From Paul Graham's essay, "The Island Test")

posted by fjardt to Travel & Transportation (5 answers total)

I don't know if you count them as toiletries or not, but since they're not everyday things, and they're vitally important, I'm going to say them anyway: bug spray (mosquitoes & ticks), waterproof sunblock, and hydrocortisone cream (assuming you will spend lots of time outside).

Sunglasses, a novel, my camera, camera charger, cell phone, cell phone charger, and my own beach towel (or two). And a nice host(ess) gift, probably a bottle of wine and something I baked.
posted by tastybrains at 1:18 PM on April 28, 2008

Seconding a hostess gift since there is no last minute option on an island. Binoculars, iPod, journal, deck of cards.
posted by pixlboi at 1:24 PM on April 28, 2008

Is this a real question, or is it chatfilter?
posted by Forktine at 1:25 PM on April 28, 2008

(Link to the quoted essay.)
posted by Forktine at 1:27 PM on April 28, 2008

So this is just a thought exercise? Or a real question?

I'm going to say scrabble. Scrabble will always get you through.
posted by cashman at 1:29 PM on April 28, 2008