I travel to a lot of places far from home for work so off the top of my head this is the special gear I take.

If flying:
Photographers vest containing
1. bright orange poncho (shelter/signalling)
2. 20' of white paracord
3. pea-less whistle
4. wallet-sized fresnel lens
5. small Maglite flashlight
6. dogtags for IDing my body <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />
7. Sharpie marker
8. small notepad
9. pen with built-in laser
10. playing cards
11. P-38 can opener
12. travel pack of antibactirial Handiwipes
13. bright orange bandana
14. spare socks/underware in ziploc bag
15. gum
16. travel spool of dental floss
17. Earplugs/sleeping mask
18. headphones compatible with airline sound system
19. Digital camera
20. Tiny mp3 player-FM radio thingy
21. If possible, maps of area I'll be flying over (USA, Canada, Mexico, Russia, China, etc...)
22. Zipties for "locking" luggage
23. Toenail clippers for cutting zipties
24. compass (2)
25. polymer signal mirror (Starflash?)
26. small 1st aid kit
27. small travel-roll of toilet paper (need your own in a lot of countries)
28. Chapstick
29. flat-pack of duct tape

In carry-on bag:
1. 1 liter of water purchased after security checkpoint
2. Trailmix snack food
3. small super-absorbent towel
4. cell phone
5. small shortwave radio
6. travel alarm clock
7. camera battery charger
8. double "AA"-sized Maglight
9. Paksafe steel-lined travel safe
10. Army survival guide
11. Purell hand sanatizer
12. toiletries

In checked bag:
1. Leatherman tool (if legal in location) fastened to inner bag strut via zipties.
2. "Hobo" style knife (if legal in location) ziptied to inner bag strut.
3. Work safety gear: Nomex jumpsuit, steeltoed boots, etc.

I pick up matches and a lighter as soon as I can after landing.

The stuff in my vest is there mainly in case the plane goes down. I want to be able to signal to searchers and stay protected from the elements.

Once I'm at my destination I keep abreast of local and world events with the FM and shortwave radios.

-Blast