What to pack

This is something I have to go through with Mrs Adhikari (to be in few years time), every time we plan a trip.

Sometimes I wonder if it is a girly thing, that they love asking questions or they are anything but a good packer. Recently in an all lads outing I realised there are some guys who are hopeless with packing as well. So I think it is a universal problem.

I hope this blog on what to pack will help you, your girlfriend, boyfriend, husband wife, parents to be a professional packer.

City breaks and short trips (less than a week)

Fill a bag (backpack, sling bag) with all the stuff that you can carry and walk for at least 3 kilometres (2 miles) without any difficulties. If you think it will be hard for you to carry that distance then you are packing too much. Things like 2 pairs of shoes, and 3 tops all depends on your personal needs and fitness level.

Also don’t have too many things that are dangling down your neck, shoulder, hand etc. eg: like your handbag, camera, ipods yada yada. If you need all of those make sure you can fit them in your hand-carry. It will save a lot of time going through the check-in and you look less clumsy.

If you look at all the great explorers, you see them carrying maybe a telescope, or a map or .. but no more than a thing.. Time might have changed but its still the same principle.

My carry items for 3/4 day trip

• 3-4 underwear ( 1 per day)
• 3-4 T-shirts / Shirts
• Small pack of toiletries (tooth brush, paste, all purpose cream, aftershave and all less than 50 ml etc)
• 1 Short and a Swimming trunk
  
  To wear
• 1 pair of jean (Wear it to save space – you can also replace it with a cotton trouser if you might be going to a nice place for food /drink)
• Top ( All weather)
• Shoes (Wear it to save space – something you can wear to a disco /or decent restaurant and also comfortable)
  
  Gadgets and gizmos:
• Power cables (I use the universal power-plug with USB that can charge most of my gadgets)
• Mobile
• Ipod
• Camera
  
  For cold locations:
• Jacket / Coat (wear it to save space)
• Inner layers
• Scarf
• Gloves

My carry items for few weeks off: ( 1- 3 months)
I usually follow the same principle but with a bigger bag. I usually carry enough for 10 days. So if I am going there for a month I will only have to visit the laundry twice.

Things not to take:

• Hair dryer (If you are staying in a hostel then the traveler surfy look is the in thing, if you are staying in a hotel then they will have one)

• More than 2 pairs of shoes: You don’t want to give the impression of that sex and the city girl, who has never been out of NY.
  
  
• Extra jacket / Coat: If you are worried that you might have the same coat in all your photos then maybe you want to remove the coat when you pose for a photo.
  

These days with the globalisation you can pretty much buy anything, anywhere in the world. You may not get the brand you want but there are always alternatives.

The rationale I have come up with is to carry as less as possible.. but then again I am a minimalist.