I'm also thinking as far as bribery. If you need to bribe an "official" they likely will have access to food and water. But perhaps 'luxury goods' would be scarce - tobacco, alcohol, porn, etc
Hadn't thought of that.
I don't plan to barter but realize that even the best plans I currently have are untested. You just never know. I may need to barter for a service. Or it might be good to be set up at the designated bartering place just to gather some info. Also, in a small town, if you never show up looking like you are in need then people might wonder just what you've got at home.