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I learned how to travel light from lightweight backpacking,
then found it was just as useful to keep it light on trips overseas
or driving across the country. The last time my wife and I went
to Ecuador, I had 10 pounds of luggage, all in one carry-on
bag, and Ana had just 8 pounds in her carry-on bag. This wasn't
a short trip. We spent six weeks in Ecuador, at times on glacier-covered
mountains, and at other times lounging on Pacific coast beaches.
Travel Simplicity
Why travel light? Travel simplicity. Everything is simpler
when you travel light. With only carry-on luggage, we were on
our way to a restaurant in Quito, while others were still waiting
for their checked luggage. When we took busses our luggage was
safely with us, not on the roof or in the hold below being cut
open, like one time when I was in Mexico. While others struggled
down the street with three heavy bags, we had our hands free
and were walking comfortably because we use daypacks or small
backpacks. We had less to lose, less to be stolen, less to wait
for, less to pack and unpack in hotels, and less to worry about.
Light Travel Issues
There are a couple minor problems when you travel light. First,
expect an extra question or two from the customs officials at
the airport (Six weeks with only this?). Second, a small bag
won't work if you plan to bring back many souvenirs. In this
case, you can still go light. Just plan to buy a second bag
at some point during the trip, to carry your acquisitions. As
for the seemingly obvious issue of not having enough clothes
and other things all in one or two small bags, I'll explain
below why that isn't as big a problem as you may think.
How To Travel Light
Silk shirts weigh 3 ounces, and travel well if rolled up. Nylon
dress socks weigh less than an ounce, and they are cool and
comfortable. Poly-cotton blend t-shirts weigh 5 ounces. Supplex
or other lightweight travel slacks weigh 9 ounces, and are sufficient
for a fine restaurant or a walk in the woods. All of these weigh
less than half of the typical travel choices, and take less
space, yet function the same. There is no sacrifice involved
here. For this exercise in travel simplicity, you even get to
go shopping for new clothes.
You don't have to buy new clothes, however. You don't have
to buy a scale and count ounces to travel light. Just choose
the lighter alternative whenever you can. Set aside your lightest
jacket, socks and pants for your next trip. Travel simplicity
is the goal, not more complicated planning.
More Ways To Travel Light
Money replaces weight, especially in the form of a debit or
credit card. Why carry two pounds of your favorite shampoo when
you can simply buy small bottles as you travel. It really won't
cost much more to buy things wherever you go, instead of carrying
your bathroom and wardrobe with you. Also, you really don't
know exactly what you'll need, particularly on an overseas trip.
Buy what you need as you need it, and you won't have a pile
of useless things in your luggage. Don't we all regularly unpack
things at home that we never once used during the trip?
Take a lesson from long-trail hikers (backpackers who travel
a trail for months). They send things, such as new shoes, to
a post office on their route, ahead of time, so they'll be waiting
for them. They also send home things they no longer need, such
as a winter coat. The latter may be a useful practice for other
travelers. If you buy bulky gifts for family or friends, why
carry them around for weeks? Put them in the mail.
A Light Travel Example
What I Took For Six weeks in Ecuador:
- 8 pairs of thin nylon socks (less than an ounce per pair)
- 2 silk shirts for restaurants and discos (3 ounces each)
- 4 poly/cotton blend t-shirts (5-6 ounces each)
- 5 pair of light underwear (2-3 ounces each)
- 1 extra pair of lightweight slacks (9 ounces)
- Single layer nylon shorts for hiking or swimming (2 ounces)
- Thin gloves (1 ounce)
- Thin hat (1 ounce - honestly)
- Thin wool sweater (11 ounces)
- Waterproof/breathable rainsuit (14 ounces for the set)
- Light plastic camera (3 ounces)
- Sunglasses (1 ounce)
- Small chess set (3 ounces)
- Bathroom kit (5 ounces)
- Maps, notebook and various small things (3 or 4 pounds)
My pack weighed ten pounds, and my wife's weighed 8 pounds.
We never felt deprived. I'm not suggesting that you start counting
the ounces (that comes from my backpacking days), or that you
buy all new lightweight things. Without spending money or thinking
about it too much, you can just start setting aside your lightest
shirts, socks, etc., so you can travel light on your next vacation.
About The Author
Steve Gillman first hit the road on his own when at sixteen,
and traveled alone across the United States and Mexico at 17.
Now 40, he continues to travel and backpack with his wife Ana,
whom he met in Ecuador. Many of his stories, plus tips and information
on travel and lightweight backpacking, can be found on his websites,
http://www.EverythingAboutTravel.com,
and http://www.TheUltralightBackpackingSite.com.
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