But in my (relative) youth and naiveté, there were many things that I would do over, or wish I’d known before I left. (Which, I guess, is now why I’m putting my advice, stories, and lessons into blog format! I want to pass that on to others! There’s the teacher in me talking…)
But if I were to try and put all my wisdomous lessons into one post, no one would ever make it to the end.
So starting at the beginning. Here are 7 things that I wish someone had told me to take out of my backpack, before I even left home.
First of all, make sure to read my ‘The Perfect Backpack‘ post (basically a love affair between myself and my Tortuga backpack, and why I’m willing to share him with you!) Because if you’re trying to pack for your trip in a 65L + hiking backpack (and you won’t be hiking the El Camino in Spain, or the Appalachian Trail in the US), then we have other problems to deal with first. Then come back here and read on.
- Hiking Shoes/Boots:
- See, unlike many travellers who put these in their bags, I was actually planning to hike the El Camino in Spain. But my plans fell through last minute and I ended up skipping it in favour of exploring Portugal (a good choice, considering the worst train crash in recent years happened right around the time I would have been headed there!)
- About a week into my trip, I was so frustrated with the extra weight they added that I sold them cheap to a new friend I met in a hostel and never looked back. Best. Decision. Ever.
- Don’t lose out on the money like I did. Invest in a good pair of running shoes with great arch support, and breathable fabric and you’ll never regret it.
Like this one below: (bonus benefit: if you are ok with keeping fit outside, these can double as exercise footwear!)
- also, in line with shoes and space-taking-up. I put in a pair of lightweight strappy black shoes to wear at the many orchestra concerts, operas and ballets I intended to attend. Bad idea. I actually forgot these at a hostel somewhere, but I never really needed them. I’ve upgraded to a pair of flip flops that can pass for dressy shoes, when I need them. But these days, people can and do wear just about anything to these previously ‘dress up’ occasions.
2. ‘Creature Comforts’:
While I will easily admit to bringing a few things from home that I just need with me in a foreign country, especially on long trips, this first time I packed an entire gallon zip-lock bag full of bath salts, lotions, scented candle, and tea. Not only did I only have 2 occasions to have a nice relaxing bath…but did I really think I couldn’t get that stuff overseas!? What a waste! Needless to say, most of this also got randomly left behind (in favour of bringing home one more bottle of wine!)
3. Converter:
I brought one because my dad told me I would need it. Did either of us check my few electronics to see if they would operate on dual-voltages? Nope. Did I use it once? Nope. Don’t bring one. Adaptors, definitely, but a converter is seriously not necessary for 99% of electronics.
4. Sleep Sheet (bed liner):
This really wasn’t necessary in Europe. I bought a silk-blend sleep sheet that rolled up very small, planning to use it in hostels where beds might be questionable. But heres the catch: most hostels are so concerned about bedbugs that they won’t even let you use your own bedding/sleep sheets/ sleeping bags. I will definitely bring this when I go to India. But it isn’t necessary for any developed destinations.
5. ‘Disposable Clothes’
I brought several outfits that I planned to wear a few times, and then would leave behind, to leave room for souvenirs. About a dozen t-shirts and sleeveless tops, at least a half a dozen pairs of shorts. Unfortunately, once on my trip, I felt compelled to keep these, and ultimately returned home with almost every item I had intended to throw away.
I can not stress this enough. Every. Single. Item. that takes up precious space in your backpack must be something that you a) love and wear at home b) is comfortable and travel-friendly – nothing too tight, short, see through (don’t be that tourist – or this one) c)matches or coordinates with every other thing you have brought. Ideally, you should be able to pull out any top, any bottom and have them work together. Think of the time getting ready that you’ll save! This is definitely what I ended up doing. I wore the same basic five outfits for seven months.
And in the same breath as disposable clothes:
6. One-Time Use Clothes
Like I said above: if its not a) comfortable and travel friendly b)something you love and wear at home and c) the same colour palate or matching (and by the way, those aren’t choose one or two. All three are essential), don’t bring it.
I brought a knee-length convertible dress. It was cute, easy to dress up or down, and in my colour area for the other clothing items I brought. But it took up nearly half my backpack. It wrinkled easy. The bottom was floaty and free (which at home, made me love the dress, but on windy days, it was borderline uncomfortable). I wore it once, and carried it through 8 countries before I finally realized I could ship it home for a fraction of the cost as it was costing me in stress and cursing the day it seemed like a good idea. It wasn’t.
7. Down-time Activities
I envisioned myself starting up random games of checkers or chess or cards with the many people I would meet on trains, in hostels, walking down the street. I packed small magnetic board games and at least two decks of card. Neither left my suitcase.
Instead, on trains, hostels, streets, I found new friends and we talked, we discussed travel plans, we helped each other and pointed out other things to do. We slept. We drank and ate together. Never was there a lull in our conversation or a time I thought ‘hey! I have a game of checkers – anyone want to play?’. Don’t do it.
There you have it. Read about my mistakes so you don’t have to make your own! The more quickly you are moving between hostels or cities or even countries, the more grateful you will be that your bag is light!
Think you’ve pared down your bag enough to be happy with your choices? Read seven things I wish I had brought my first long-term trip abroad.
Let me know what things you’ve brought that you really wish you hadn’t.
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