I would recommend not taking your iPod, Digital camera, or laptop. Take a decent analog camera of some kind, so you don't have to worry about off-loading images, or at least take enough digital storage so you won't have to off-load the memory.
Take as few things that will distract from experiencing your trip as possible. Even the common ambient noises in another country are different and new, so using an iPod will detract from your experience. I would take a pen and paper journal, and a couple of books to read, and your necessaries. That's it.
Slashdot Mirror
I would recommend not taking your iPod, Digital camera, or laptop. Take a decent analog camera of some kind, so you don't have to worry about off-loading images, or at least take enough digital storage so you won't have to off-load the memory. Take as few things that will distract from experiencing your trip as possible. Even the common ambient noises in another country are different and new, so using an iPod will detract from your experience. I would take a pen and paper journal, and a couple of books to read, and your necessaries. That's it.