What’s in my bag…

A look inside the kit I carry in the field

1: US Passport, with two sets of additional pages for visas. Cover by Art Lebedev Studio, modern Russia’s premier design firm.

2. Wallet, made of baseball glove leather.

3. Post-it markers, for highlighting important quotes and moments in otherwise chaotic notebooks.

4. Extra batteries for tape recorder, flashlight, gadgets.

5. Pin from Turkey, a reminder of good times with friends. Also doubles as a device for changing SIM cards on my iPhone.

6. Pens, at least two. Nothing more embarssing than being a journalist without a pen.

7–9. Notebooks, three. First is for interviews, news, facts. Second for impressions, thoughts, random observations. Third is extra.

10. Cheap sunglasses. Cheap because I will inevitably lose or break them. The pair photographed here, purchased in Slovyansk in mid-May, is already long gone, lying somewhere near Donetsk.

11. Back up phone, a simple Nokia. Good to have a second number to call from in case an uncooperative source is dodging your calls. Also helpful if you work between countries, as I do – I can leave keep my US or Russian SIM card active in this phone while in the field in Ukraine.

12. iPhone 4S.

13. Charger for iPhone & case with built in battery pack. Long days make quick work of iPhone batteries. Having a charger or extra battery on hand can get you through the last few hours of field work.

14. Handheld video camera, rarely used, but good to have for documentary purposes.

15. Dictaphone. A simple Olympus, w/ USB connection and a 16GB memory stick.

16. Headphones, for listening to interviews when working and music when traveling.

17. Family photos. So as not to forget. Also a great way to connect with unfriendly folks of all stripes (gun-toting rebels, angry locals, puffed-up politicians) — the photos make you a human, rather than an intruder. Harder to be violent toward someone when you’ve seen their family. (Credit to Chris Chivers for this tip.)

18. Accreditations. A laminated plastic card from the news organization I’m currently working for + whatever document the local authorities demand.

19. Headlamp.

20. European adapter.

21. Headband, for my hair, which is now quite long.

22. Crimean referendum accreditation, a good conversation piece in eastern Ukraine.

23. Gum. Yum.

24. A nasty habit that I need to quit. (Also a good way to make friends with unfriendlies.)

25. The bag itself, bought from two friendly Japanese guys at a market in Thailand several years ago. Been through a lot together, this bag and I.