Light is right!

A long while ago I found lugging around a heavy bag compromised my comfort and put me in a bad mood. Now the most I bring, no matter what the duration of my trip, is clothing for 3 days (2 casual outfits and one a bit dressier, if desired), a sleeping shirt, sweater and outerwear.  I wash the basics every night and do a full wash when needed. My repetitive outfits are a small sacrifice for ease and convenience. And it markedly cuts down on my, “What will I wear today? ” time.  Mix and match keeps the boredom at bay.

For inclement weather a wind/waterproof jacket, a down vest, polar and rain pants are great. I also bring a hat, gloves and scarf. This way, with minimal bulk and weight, weather doesn’t deter me. Layering is best. Smartwool offers some outstanding options.

I generally bring one pair of shoes(preferably water resistant) or boots, a pair of flip-flops, sandals and/or slippers. If I need boots I wear them while traveling in between my destinations.

My toiletries are the 3.4 oz(100ml) carry-on size and they have lasted months. My personal kit has the necessities, plus lip salve, antibiotic cream, band aids, sunscreen, bug spray, a small soap, moisturizing creams, vitamins, Advil, and pepto-bismol chewable tablets. There is also the requisite book, writing material (I still crave paper although many people do without), head lamp, alarm clock, daypack, security belt, lock, camera, eyeshades, earplugs and sunglasses. In lieu of a bath towel I bring a kitchen towel. It dries more quickly than those, “quick dry” towels, weighs next to nothing, and does the job.

Unless you are planning a remote destination virtually everything, if needed, is readily available. You will even see familiar brands thousands of miles from home.

It seems that everyone travels today with an iphone and/or computer. That’s great as long as they are used as a tool and not as an ongoing distraction.

ATMs are likely to be in most airports and cities so I almost never arrive with the foreign currency. If you have doubts, the Lonely Planet, Rough Guide or Trip Advisor travel forums can assist you. I bring a few hundred dollars in cash for emergencies, a debit/bank card and a credit card that do not charge international fees. To avoid any denied transactions or problems, I notify my bank and credit card companies, in advance, of my destinations.

If in doubt, you can try using only what you packed a day prior to your departure. It’s a great way to see if you forgot something.

We all have our own personal, “cannot live without” item(s). But before you leave, go for a walk, climb some stairs, even try lifting the bag(carefully) for that overhead compartment. (A previous post discusses the advantages of a small traveling bag.) You will see for yourself, very quickly, if what you packed is more than what you need.

Thank you for taking the time to read my post! Welcome to the tales of a woman solo traveler and thoughts to make today the start of something new. I hope you find information and inspiration in the text and images and join me in my quest for growth, wonderment and self-improvement.