Thursday, 15 December 2011

Egypt Holidays - Light Travel: Carry-On Only

By Mikelo Vunjektu


Light travel? The last time my wife and I travelled to Ecuador, I had ten pounds of baggage, all in one carry-on bag. Ana had only eight pounds in her carry-on bag. We spent six weeks in Ecuador, sometimes on glacier-covered mountains, and at other times, lounging on Pacific coast beaches.

Why travel lightweight? Simplicity. With just carry-on luggage, we were in a restaurant in Quito, while other people still waited for their checked luggage. On busses, our baggage was safely with us, not in the hold below being cut open, like one time when I was in Mexico. Others struggled down the street with 3 heavy bags, whilst we had our hands free and were walking easily with our daypacks. We had less to lose, less to be stolen, less to wait for, less to pack and unpack in hotels, and less to be worried 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 might 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 hold your acquisitions. As for not having enough clothes and other things, it isn't as large a problem as you may think.

My silk shirts weigh 3 ounces, and travel nicely if rolled up. Nylon dress socks weigh less than an ounce, and are cool and comfortable. Poly-cotton blend t-shirts weigh five ounces. Supplex or other lightweight travel slacks weigh 9 ounces, and are sufficient for a fine restaurant or a walk in the woods. Half of what typical travel clothing weigh, these take less space, and work the same. There's no sacrifice involved here.

You do not even have to buy new clothing, if you do not want to. You do not need to buy a scale and count ounces. Just select lighter alternatives when you can. Set aside your lightest jacket, socks and pants for your next trip. Simplicity, not complex planning, is the goal.

Much more Light Travel Secrets

Money can replace weight. Why carry two pounds of shampoo when you can purchase small bottles when you travel? It won't cost a lot more to purchase things as you go. Furthermore, you truly don't know what you will need, especially on an overseas trip. Purchase things as you need them, and you won't have a pile of pointless things in your baggage. Don't we all frequently unpack things in our homes that we never once utilized during a trip?

Gifts and souvenirs? Should you buy bulky gifts for family or friends, why carry them around for weeks? Put them in the mail.






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