The Packing Post

Alright, as alluded to previously, here is a post about what I'm taking with me. Or not.

Several folks have been surprised, and even a bit skeptical, when I tell them that one of my objectives for this trip is to travel with just one carry-on worth of stuff.

That's it.

For three months.

I do totally get the reasons behind the disbelief. One is that folks have a hard time imagining themselves doing this - three months, one carry-on bag, does not compute. Another is that people who know me rather well are familiar with my always prepared just-in-case-itis that has contributed to ballooning suitcases throughout most of my travel history. As I frantically rifle through my dresser, closet, and bathroom the day before I leave I have conversations with myself along the lines of: Hmmm...I know it's December, but maybe one of my friends' new acquaintances will have a hot tub. Better take a swimsuit just in case. Oh dear...which swimsuit to take? Better pack both of these so I can decide which pattern I feel like wearing when I get there. What if they live in an apartment complex that has a no street-shoes rule? Better pack my flip-flops, even though the temperature forecast is low 30's. Crap. What if I get swimmer's ear? I should pack a little bottle of rubbing alcohol to dry my ears out after the soak....and so on until I have an entire beach bag's worth of water-themed accoutrements packed for a trip in the middle of winter.

To date, none of my friends' acquaintances have ever indicated that they have a hot tub.

In addition to the repeated experience of being overly prepared for all eventualities and encountering none of them, there are several other influencing factors that led me to take on the personal challenge of traveling light for this trip.

The groundwork was laid through the time I spent hanging out with Brett, aka The Amtrekker, in 2007 on his quest to complete a 50-item list traveling around the U.S. without paying for lodging. This meant he spent a lot of time relying on the kindness of strangers and making lots of new friends in the process. Brett and I spent our time crossing number 47 off of his list, which was to tour the Crayola Factory.

A lot of things about Brett and his travels impressed me but one was definitely how lightly he traveled. Everything he traveled with for over a year fit either onto his person or into his standard school-sized green backpack. Everything. Spare tshirt, toothbrush, camera, computer, power cables, reading material, water bottle. He explained that traveling light was a bit of a necessity when you're trying to convince the random stranger you met on the subway that they should let you come crash on their couch. Or when you're hitching a last-minute ride to six flags and are going to be squishing into an already full car - people are more hesitant to let you come along if you've got two giant suitcases in tow. His experiences gave me pause to think about just what we really need to get by in life. Even without pondering deep philosophical implications the conclusion I came to was almost certainly a lot less than we think we need.

So, when I started researching what to pack for this trip, and I came across travel blogs and little corners of the internet where a traveling light and one-bag traveling philosophy resided, a lot of what I read made sense. Take aways started to sink into my mind such as:

• Traveling with one bag means you only have one bag to keep track of, which is easier than multiple bags, and reduces the chances that it will get misplaced or stolen. It also means you can devote less energy to keeping track of your luggage and more energy focusing on the cool places you are traveling to.
• Traveling with a small bag that you can carry-on means the airlines can't loose it for you, and you don't have to wait in baggage claim. (when they don't make you check it, that is)
• Generally, people travel to places where other people live. Places where people live tend to have all of the amenities necessary for living in that place. For example, people living in a cold place typically have stores that sell warm clothing. So you maybe don't need to pack a big heavy sweater.
• Along the same line, laundry is a chore that's just about as certain as death and taxes. Odds are good that anywhere you go in the world where there are people, you'll be able to find methods for keeping you and your clothes clean.

With this new mindset, I approached my packing in a much more methodical way than I normally do.  My "less is more" mantra was helped by the input of a friend's sister who is currently living in Xela. She informed me that, yes, I could obtain deet-laden bug spray in town if I needed to equip myself for excursions to places that have mosquitoes. Ditto for things like umbrellas, galoshes, and sweaters - coincidentally just the supplies you'd most want in a climate with a rainy season and cool evenings.

She also revealed that there is a Wal-mart there.

Now, I am not by any means a Wal-mart fan. It is, however, a lot harder to convince yourself that you must bring every permutation of first aid remedy, sock color, and pant length when you know a giant corporate box-store awaits at your destination.

So it went as I whittled my packing list down bit by bit. Look, I took a picture for you! Here's everything laid out:

 

Fluffy cat not included.

I'm still working on jettisoning a few more items, but the good news is, thus far, it does all fit. Here it is packed away in my super awesome travel pack (the entire internet recommends it; it converts to a backpack). Also, it came in purple! It's my favorite color :)

also pictured: day-pack and money belt.

Drake tried to stowaway amongst my socks:

helper cat is so helpful.