Light Travel
Chapter 1 : Ten Pounds for Six
Weeks Overseas
The last time my wife and I went to Ecuador, I had 10 pounds
of luggage, all in one carry-on bag. Ana had just 8 pounds in
her carry-on bag. We spent six weeks in Ecuador, at times on
glacier-covered mountains, and at other times lounging on Pacific
coast beaches.
Why travel light? Simplicity. With only carry-on luggage,
we were in a restaurant in Quito, while others still waited for
their checked luggage. On busses our luggage was safely with
us, not in the hold below being cut open, as happened when I
was in Mexico.
Others struggled to their hotels carrying three heavy bags.
Meanwhile we were walking comfortably with our day packs. 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
Expect an extra question or two from the customs officials
at the airport (Six weeks with only this?). Also, a small bag
may not work if you plan to bring back many souvenirs. In this
case, you could plan to buy a second bag at some point, to carry
your acquisitions. As for not having enough clothes and other
things, it isn't as big a problem as you may think.
Silk shirts weigh three ounces, and travel well if rolled
up. Nylon dress socks weigh less than an ounce, and are cool
and comfortable. Poly-cotton blend t-shirts weigh 5 ounces. Supplex
or other lightweight travel slacks weigh 9 ounces, half of what
typical travel clothes weigh, and are sufficient for a fine restaurant
or a walk in the woods. There's no sacrifice involved here.
You don't necessarily have to buy new clothes. You don't have
to buy a scale and count ounces. Just choose lighter alternatives
whenever you can. Set aside your lightest jacket, socks and pants
for your next trip. Simplicity, not complicated planning, is
the goal.
More Light Travel Secrets
A little bit of money can replace a lot of weight. For example,
why carry two pounds of shampoo when you can buy small bottles
as you travel? It won't cost too much more to buy things after
you arrive at your destination, and as you travel from place
to place..
Also, you won't always know what you'll need to bring, particularly
on an overseas trip. You also won't know what you won't
need. Buy things as you need them, 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 a trip?
Gifts and souvenirs? If you buy bulky gifts for family or
friends, why carry them around for weeks? Put them in the mail.
What I Took for Six Seeks 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 rain suit (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. My wife's weighed 8 pounds. We
never felt deprived. I'm not suggesting you start counting ounces
(that comes from my backpacking days), or buy all new lightweight
things. Just start setting aside your lightest shirts, socks,
etc., and you can enjoy the benefits of light travel.
He who would travel happily must travel light. - Antoine
de St. Exupery
Continue with Chapter 2 here: Cheap
Travel
Note: This chapter on light travel was part of the
e-book Travel Secrets. Now all chapters are free on this
site. See the homepage (the link is at the bottom of this page)
for a list of all chapters and links to them.
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