Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Egypt Holidays - Light Travel: Carry-On Only

By Mikelo Vunjektu

Light travel? The last time my wife and I went to Ecuador, I had 10 pounds of baggage, all in one carry-on bag. Ana had just eight pounds in her carry-on bag. We spent 6 weeks in Ecuador, sometimes on glacier-covered mountains, and at other times, lounging on Pacific coast beaches.

Why travel lightweight? Simplicity. With only carry-on luggage, we were in a restaurant in Quito, whilst 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 three heavy bags, while 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 may not work if you plan to bring back several souvenirs. In this case, you could plan to purchase a second bag eventually, to hold your purchases. As for not having enough clothes and other things, it isn't as big a problem as you may think.

My silk shirts weigh three ounces, and travel well if rolled up. Nylon dress socks weigh less than an ounce, and are cool and comfortable. Poly-cotton blend t-shirts weigh 5 ounces. Supplex or other lightweight travel slacks weigh nine ounces, and are sufficient for a fine restaurant or a walk in the woods. Half of what usual travel clothes weigh, these take much less space, and function the same. There is no sacrifice engaged here.

You do not even have to purchase new clothes, if you do not want to. You don't have to buy a scale and count ounces. Simply choose lighter alternatives when you can. Put aside your lightest jacket, socks and pants for your next trip. Simplicity, not complicated planning, is the goal.

Much more Light Travel Secrets

Money can replace weight. Why carry two pounds of shampoo when you can buy small bottles when you travel? It will not cost a lot more to purchase things as you go. Furthermore, you truly do not know what you will need, particularly on an overseas trip. Buy things when you need them, and you won't have a pile of useless things in your luggage. Do not we all frequently unpack things at home that we never once used throughout 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.


About the Author:

No comments:

Post a Comment