Packing...

I was in Spain for two weeks and I packed for two weeks. Do not do that. If I were to go back and give myself good advice, it would be bring less clothes and more soap. In fact I did not even run out of soap.

 

While packing up to go back to UK, all the clothes that I did use fit in this bag. In fact just about more than half of it. I'm using it as measurement for clothes to pack from now on.

Anyway, at the end of the trip I was struggling to fit everything into my poor country road bag and I prayed very hard that it would not rip. Thankfully those bags are not highly priced for no reason, they are pretty sturdy bags. The other problem was lugging it around as I stuffed it so full it was so heavy. I am not big on the whole small suitcase thing, I like carrying a duffel bag much more. In this instance however, I would have been very thankful if my bag had wheels. I now need to reconsider my take on travel bags. I suspect I would stick to my beloved country road bag even though it might be harder in myself (build muscles I tell myself, but who am I kidding?). 

I used only thirty percent of the clothes that I brought, however I have to factor in the fact that I was in Barcelona volunteering for which we were given uniforms to wear. Even so, I have decided the next trip that I take I will take as little as possible. More space for shopping and souvenirs, of which I end up buying a few as I manage to not spend as much in daily necessities as I thought I would need to.

Here is my simple list if things that I will bring for the next time.

1. Three tops

2. Two t shirts and shorts) for sleeping, one if shorter than a week)

3. One pair of jeans

4. Two pairs of shorts 

5. Three pairs of underwear (four if more than five days)

6. Walking shoes 

7. Slippers

8. Shampoo and soap

9. Moisturiser (depending on skin condition)

10. Face wash and toothpaste

11. Detergent 

12. Two dresses (three max. One casual, one formal)

13. Outerwear if travelling to somewhere cool

That is all. And remember that the outfit you wear there count as well. Traveling light is not something you will regret. If you are only staying for a few days, chances of needing a very specific outfit is quite rare, unless of course you went there for a specific reason. However, if you are staying for a longer period of time and found that you need something you did not bring, buying could be an option. You provably would gained an idea where to get things that are not overpriced targeted especially to tourists. Plus, if you stayed in a place long enough, you are likely to buy things. You will be extremely thankful to your past self for bringing only the bare mininum leaving more space for new things. Something I did not manage to do.

I pride myself as a light traveller and compared to most of my friends I am. However, I learnt that I still have more brushing up to do on my packing skills. So for the next trip I will try to bring only the items that I have listed above. If it works I will inform you if it does not I will do was so too. My next trip should be quite a long while to go. It would most likely be during my Christmas break. I am considering Germany, Norway or France. I do not think that I will travel to more than two places at once. Somehow I prefer staying longer at one place rather then rushing through multiple cities, but that is just a personal preference.

Till the next time. Hope this has help you majorly edit out unnecessary items from your travel bag.

Thank you!