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Travel Light: The How And Why
by: Steve Gillman
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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