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