subject: Egypt Holidays - Light Travel: Carry-on Only [print this page] Light travel? The last time my wife and I went to Ecuador, I had 10 pounds of luggage, 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 just carry-on luggage, we were in a restaurant in Quito, while others still waited for their checked luggage. On busses, our luggage was safely with us, not in the hold below being cut open, like one time when I was in Mexico. Other people struggled down the street with three heavy bags, whilst we had our hands free and were walking comfortably 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 worry about.
Light Travel Issues
Expect an additional question or two from the customs officials at the airport (Six weeks with just this?). Furthermore, a small bag might not work if you plan to bring back several souvenirs. In this case, you could plan to buy a second bag eventually, to hold your purchases. As for not having sufficient clothes and other things, it isn't as big 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 5 ounces. Supplex or other lightweight travel slacks weigh 9 ounces, and are enough for a fine restaurant or a walk in the woods. Half of what typical travel clothing weigh, these take much less room, and function the same. There is no sacrifice engaged here.
You don't even have to purchase new clothes, if you do not want to. You don't need to buy a scale and count ounces. Simply select lighter alternatives whenever you can. Set aside your lightest jacket, socks and pants for your next trip. Simplicity, not complicated planning, is the objective.
Much more Light Travel Secrets
Money can replace weight. Why carry 2 pounds of shampoo when you can buy little bottles as you travel? It will not cost a lot more to buy things as you go. Also, you truly do not know what you'll require, especially on an overseas trip. Buy things when 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 used during a trip?
Gifts and souvenirs? Should you purchase bulky gifts for family or friends, why carry them around for weeks? Put them in the mail.
