The Great Traveling Light Discussion

-
Some people have managed to backpack with one bag the size of a carry-on. There are obvious advantages to ultralight travel:
  • Greater security: you can stay with your bag at all times.
  • Saves time: no need to check-in or wait for your bag at airport carousels.
  • A lighter load: increases your mobility for running after a bus that's just pulling away from the curb... or escape muggers and dodge sniper bullets better.
  • You will still look like a tourist, but at least not as obvious as the person with a 70L pack next to you.

There are disadvantages too:
  • Regular clothes washing: ultra-light travel relies on only having a few sets of outfits.
  • Sacrificing "luxury": half your toiletries, heels, and your favorite pair of jeans may not be conducive to light packing.
  • There's some risk of leaving something behind that you end up needing.
  • No multi-tool or pocket-knifes are allowed in airplane cabins.

Here are some things to consider when you're deciding what to pack on a trip:
  • Can you get it there? Chances are they sell toothpaste, shampoo and clothes where you're going. Do you need to pack your bulky sweater, or can you buy a cheap one overseas and then donate it to someone needy when you reach warmer destinations? 
  • Do you really need it? You're not really going to bring your hair dryer, are you?
  • Are there miniature or compact versions you can bring instead? Many things come in travel sizes, are inflatable or fold down.
  • Bring multi-purpose things like a multi-tool instead of a pair of scissors, a knife, tweezers, bottle opener, spectacle screwdriver... Use baby oil to serve as moisturizer, shaving oil, hair conditioner... Bring a sarong to use as clothing, table cloth, beach towel, privacy curtain, modesty scarf...

How much you leave behind will depend on how willing you are to compromise on comfort for light travel. Remove yourself from the comfortable mindset and remember that when you're backpacking, you're roughing it a little! You can make-do, and always remind yourself of the advantages of light travel.

There is quite a bit written about packing light. Here are some sites to get you started:

Comments

Post a Comment

Thanks for taking the time to comment. Don't forget to choose Name/URL from the drop down menu if you are not logged in.

Popular posts from this blog

A Bus Ticket Is Not Enough

-
The bus terminal of Guayaquil is much like an airport, with three storeys, shops and a boarding pass system that gave me trouble. I found my way to the boleterias to buy my ticket and had no problems there, though the boletero told me to hurry as the bus to Salinas was soon to leave. Thinking that one of the two pieces of paper that was given to me was only a receipt, I binned it and proceeded to the platform on the top level. Unfortunately, the "receipt" turned out to be my boarding ticket and the woman at the gates said I had to return to the boleteria and get another. Honestly, why doesn't simply having a bus ticket grant me access to the bus? What is so wrong with flashing your ticket to the driver at the bus door? Do we really have to clog things with extra useless procedural steps? Sheesh. Irritated, I hurried back down to the boleteria and the boletero looked at me with a " What the hell are you doing back here? The bus is leaving!!" I cursed my poo
Read more

Beware Of Conmen, Thieves And Daydreams

-
I was warned by everything and everyone about safety in Latin America. Websites, guide books, my family, friends, even total strangers would warn me not to trust anyone, to set cab prices before getting in, to watch my luggage at all times, to keep my valuables within sight... all of the sensible things one should do when traveling. So I was well informed about various scams, guarded about pick-pockets and bag snatchers. It was inevitable that I would encounter at least one loss due to unscrupulous human activities. I had heard many stories, but have been lucky so far. But no one warned me about that which I would end up losing my things to. My forgetfulness. I have a terrible memory. If I just met you, I won't remember your name, even if we've been hanging out for the last four days. I don't remember birthdays unless you're direct family, nor do I remember anniversaries, long weekends and other important dates. I have a terrible sense of direction which is mostly due t
Read more

So You Want To Start A Travel Blog

-
Travel blogs may be  informative ,  entertaining, or introspective like a diary , but perhaps more importantly, they can  serve as a key communication tool between the travelers and the ones that were left behind. Why travel blogs are better than email: People can choose to read about your adventures when they want. Comments and feedback are in one place rather than several individual emails that you may have to respond to.  Better navigation system More appealing aesthetics and readability Customisable Built-in features such as maps and albums There are many free travel blog services. Some are basic and easy to use, while others allow customisation if you are familiar with  HTML and CSS.  I've had a look at several of the popular ones and review them briefly here to help you decide. GetJealous : For absolute novices. The most basic travel blog site I've come across. It has some major limitations in that there is no design freedom and a maximum upload of 40
Read more