Wednesday, October 31, 2012

40 Litres (continued)

     You know those wonderful moments when you go to the pool, and when you get out and start to dry off you realize you forgot your underwear and now you're stuck going home uncomfortable in jeans?  Or when you finally go out with your friends on the weekend to a bar, only to find when you get to the front of the line to get in you left your ID on the kitchen counter by your keys?  It's the absolute worst, yet it's so common that most people actually think "I'm sure I forgot something" to themselves every time they go somewhere.  

     Now that I have a limit of what I can physically bring with me, it's time to start thinking about what exactly I need to ensure I have.  In order to avoid the awful feeling of, "I can't believe I forgot to pack that!".  I started my search for some good opinions and thoughts on what's the most important must have items in order to have a comfortable trip.  I stumbled upon a fantastic site called travel independent which really gave me a good idea of what i'll be filling my 40 litres of space with.

     It's suggested that you only bring two shirts, one that can get dirty and be slept in and one made with a moisture resistant material.  One long sleeved should be taken to protect the skin from sunburns and bug bites.  Even when going somewhere hot it is a good idea to bring one fleece zip up sweater in order to be comfortable in air conditioned places such as airports.

     When it comes to pants it's considered a good idea to bring two pairs, one should be a very light material such as cotton in order to dry easily and the other should be a more durable material.  Jeans should not be taken to places with hot climates since they're so heavy and are uncomfortable in the heat anyways.  It's a good idea for girls to bring a long skirt in order to look modest while still staying cool.

     If going somewhere hot it's a good idea to bring some sort of swim wear, make sure that it is a very light material so that it will be able to dry quickly.  Shorts are the most comfortable for the majority of people in the heat but in some countries they are not worn and will make you stick out as a tourist instantly.  There's nothing wrong with wearing them, it's just a thought when it comes to the amount of attention you're comfortable with receiving.

     With foot wear it really depends on what exactly you will be doing.  It is best to take the lightest shoes such as thong sandals in order to save space and have less weight in the bag.  But if you are planning on doing a lot of hiking, boots might be something to consider.

     A quick drying towel is always handy to have, as well as a micro umbrella instead of a raincoat.  A medical kit consisting of an array of medications should be considered as a necessity when packing up your bag.  Also bring shampoo, soap, toothbrush, and a razor.

     There are many things a person can become obsessed with the idea of "needing" it when going traveling.  I am known for always taking way more than I need for almost every situation I find myself in, but for this experience it's important to be careful.  Off of the travel independent website this saying caught my eye and will be in the back of my mind when packing up to leave, "Lay everything out that you really want to take, halve it and take twice as much money".


   

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