Well, in my humble opinion, anyone can travel... it's just a matter of how. If you are anything like me, I definitely recommend travelling a little rough. Some people don't enjoy it, but with only 40 pounds on my back I was able to travel through Europe and into Africa and Asia for six months on only $5500... and that includes transportation from the west coast of the US and two weeks of Italian language school!
How did I do it? Read my journal for my adventures, and you'll get a good idea of how I managed and if you could survive something like that. I wouldn't trade it for the world.
When I figured it all out, I actually only spent $21/day when there (that doesn't include tickets and extras, just basic travel)
Here's a list of what I took and what I got rid of on the way:
Towel - lost it twice, used old clothes to dry off
Small Victornox knife with scissors - indispensable fingernail clippers
Large Victornox knife with corkscrew
3 Yds. Duct tape wrapped on a pencil - used to repair tent
Bandanna - handy
Earplugs - lost quickly, but wished for at times
Padlock - way too heavy, I never used it... dumped in Tunisia
Flashlight (4 extra bulbs) - mini-Maglite... indispensable
Watch - analog watch broke, bought a cheap digital in Florence
Small battery-powered alarm clock - dumped for a watch with an alarm
40ft. Nylon Cord - I bought another 100ft. along the way
Small Binoculars - heavy but handy
Emergency space-blanket - don't want to have to use this one
Paperback - I went through at least 6 books
Journal - recorded my life daily, sketched, and kept my budget to the cent
Bible - God... don't leave home without Him!
Rubber bands - transformed into hairties... always in use
Sewing kit - a bit of fishing line in this kit kept my pack together... the thread kept my clothes together. Much more useful than expected
Waterproof lightweight jacket - folded into it's own pocket... invaluable
3900 cubic inch Jansport internal frame backpack - came apart at the strap attach points. A lifetime warranty doesn't help on the road. I recently saw a beautiful Kelty with a top-load as well as a side zipper and it's own detachable day-pack for $60 at Costco. 3900 Inches was perfect though... Invaluable
30-degree synthetic North Face sleeping bag - synthetic kept warm when damp and took abuse. A bit large, but good.
Tent groundcloth - don't have a tent without one
Tiny one-man summer tent - and I mean TINY... only weighed 2.2lbs. Perfect for summer
ECCO boots - super-comfy and waterproof, but worn out after the trip
Teva sandals - not used much
2x Cargo pants with button pockets - I sewed my own huge (book-size) pockets with numerous buttons on. Maps on one side, passport on the other. Worn out when I got home, but more comfortable than my own skin.
2x T-shirts - I accquired 2 more
Long-sleeve wrinkleproof oxford - not used much... the wool sweater and flannel I accquired in the cool regions were necessary in December
3x Boxer shorts - take new ones... I ended up with only one returning
4x Socks (2pr. Thorlo, 2pr. Smartwool) - Smartwool far outperformed Thorlo... don't go without good socks (they're worth the hefty price!)
Sleep sheet - nearly useless, tossed in Tunisia
Ziplock bags - valuable for a multitude of uses (keep soap in one)
Eyeglasses - my contact lenses wouldn't work in Switzerland, I had to have them
3 Extra pair Contact lenses - be prepared
Contact lens case
Saline - for lenses and washing cuts
4 Spare AA batteries - used 1 spare set for flashlight
Large Garbage bag - used for dirty/wet clothes and as a raincover, take at least 2
Soap bar - get more as you go
Toothbrush and case - don't forget!
Toothpaste - get more as you go
Water purifying tablets - make the water taste so bad I had to throw out the container! Useful in an emergency
Razor - I like to be clean... resupplied on the way
Passport - you'll need this one
ATM Card - I withdrew fairly large sums of money when entering a country. The charge is considerable, but the utility is worth it
Credit Card - hidden for emergencies
Money Belt - I never used this (my pickpocket-proof pockets worked fine)... but it is said to be invaluable by many travellers. I was, perhaps, lucky.
Family Photos - show the world, they love it!
International Driver's Permit - didn't need this one
ISIC Card - used rarely
Bug Repellent - handy
Sunscreen - I got tan enough that I only needed it in the Sahara
Razor Cartriges - spares
Tiny pack of toilet paper - emergency only. Get a big roll for some places!
Shorts - used rarely, but I envied people with the zipper-short pants
Thermal undershirt - for cold, nothing is like layers
Antidiahhreal tablets (Immodium) - don't go to Africa without them
Foot cream - unused
Immunization card - just in case
Oakley M-frame sunglasses - thank God for Oakley. I love these glasses. THE eye protection
Country guidebooks - Let's Go, Hostelling guide, and Rick Steve's torn into their component countries and stapelled together
Mini Lonely-Planet phrasebook - an impulse-buy I would have died without!
Ditty bags - necessary as a pack
Laundry detergent powder - how else will it get clean?
Flat rubber drain plug - for clothes washing, a must-have
Driver's license - unused
Inflatable Thermarest sleeping pad - worth every cent!!! Sleep anywhere comfortably. I considered not taking one, and am glad I changed my mind!
Spoon - take a fork too if you have room. I bought a small Campingaz stove, a pot, and a salt & pepper shaker along the way. Also found an ultra-light plastic cup. Get one with a handle. I wished I'd taken my Sierra-cup. All very useful
Cigarette lighter - you'd be a fool to travel without
Fishing line - used nearly all of it to repair my pack. Handy.
Fishing hook - you never know!
Small daypack - for forays away from "home"
Airline tickets - it was a long walk
Miniature combination padlocks (3) - used to close zippers... a pickpocket deterrent only
Art pencils - to draw in my journal, check out my sketches
Eraser
Comb - smaller than a brush (I DO have long hair)
Deoderant - you WILL stink without it. Worth the weight
YOU CAN DO IT! You might need more or less than I had (I hated every ounce!) but you can go! So from here, read my journal, check out my links to other pages... Art of Travel is especially useful. Look at my pictures to get inspired... And BUY YOUR TICKETS!!!
Return to my Homepage HERE
|