Key Investments

Every time I leave the country I learn how to pack more efficiently. This year was my best packing year by far. I was efficient and compact. I attribute this to a few key investments:

1. My Osprey hiking backpack—probably the best investment by far. No more rolling luggage!
2. My North Face hiking pants—quick drying and not the zip away kind.
3. My compact, super absorbent travel towel.

This ends up looking for a plug for certain brands of clothing/gear, but it’s not. I am a nerd for how much I love my pack. I think I will travel more just to use it.

I survived 6 weeks of work, travel and running this year with just a hiking pack and day pack. My groups are usually shocked when they see how little I carry with me. It’s amazing how much they pack for 2 weeks of travel—one girl brought a 70 pound bag for two weeks. I made that mistake once with a 50 pound bag for 6 weeks, and I will never make that error in judgment again (although my dad did try to warn me before I even left that it would be too much).

5 year travel packing recap:
Peru (2 weeks): 36 pounds, 3 medium bags
Spain/Europe (6 weeks): 50 pounds, 1 large bag, 1 small carry on, backpack
Costa Rica 2008 (4 weeks): 47 pounds, 1 large rolling bag, backpack
Costa Rica 2009 (10 weeks): 42 pounds, 1 large rolling bag, backpack, computer case

My total weight year: 26 pounds. 1 hiking backpack. 1 daypack.

Success. My big determining factor for buying a pack this year was my bus fiasco last year where I spent 12 hours hauling around my luggage trying to get to the coast for work via the public bus. I decided then that if I were to ever travel for long periods of time again I would find a better way to pack for it. I am also very nomadic in the summer, traveling somewhere new almost every five days. A backpack is a necessity for this sort of lifestyle.

It just occurred to me I’ve spent a whole blog talking about my backpack and travel habits. Pura vida. : )

Time for breakfast and the Café Britt Coffee Tour!

Café y caffeine,
Jessica Lynn