My "Just In Case" Packing List -part 1

Sewing set - Not much, just a few threads and needles. Imagine you have a meeting tomorrow and one of the buttons of your best shirt is hanging loose. It will only take you 2 minutes to sew it back together so why not be prepared. I'm not taking any knitting utensils but you can do that if that's a hobby of yours. 

 

Mini tool box -  You won't be running around in a new city or country looking for a hardware store to buy a screwdriver. Can you even tell how a screwdriver is called in your new language? I'm taking one screwdriver with several screw heads, pliers, a Swiss knife, scotch-tape (including double sided scotch).

 
Medicine - By this I mean over the counter medicine that I know will have a good effect for me.  Remember that it might take some time to get medical insurance and to find a good physician who speaks a common language with you. Make sure you have emergency medicine for headache, toothache, digestive problems and allergies. Also make sure that you don't need to declare that medicine at the customs or that you have a valid prescription for it in case you do.  Nobody cares if you're carrying aspirin in your purse, but they will want you to declare opiate-based medicine, for example. Check for this type of information on the embassy or consulate website if you're traveling abroad.
 
To be continued

* picture from Amazon