The Packs
Packing, in my opinion, can either be a stressful pain in the ass (when you are constantly thinking "what am I forgetting?" or "I'll probably need this..." and there is no real end to the process) or it can be extremely simple ("passport- check, cash- check, credit card- check. The rest is arbitrary, lets hit the road"). I prefer the latter, with a tiny bit more effort of course.
Seeing as I don't actually have a destination for this journey nor do I expect to be visiting either of my parents' homes (AKA my storage units) anytime soon, I had to fit everything I could forsee myself needing into a backpack small enough to lug around wherever I go.
So, if you're interested, here is a list of all my things!
Backpacks:
REI pack that I've owned and LOVED for about 4 years.
Osprey Mira 18 day pack I got this past year and LOVE.
Essentials:
US Passport
"Macgyver wallet" containing string, rubberbands, bobby pins, a bottle opener, and a pen, as well as
2 Credit Cards
2 Debit Cards
PADI License (for diving)
Driver's License
US Currency
Local Currency
Toiletries:
Bar of body soap
Bar of face soap
Bar of shampoo
Facial moisturizer (SPF 15)
Earrings, barrettes, bobby pins, hair ties
Nail clipper, nail file, tweezers
Razor and refills
Tooth brush, toothpaste, floss
Small mirror
Basic med supplies- Athletes foot cream, moleskin, bandaids, Ibuprofin, etc.
Cloths:
5 Tank tops
3 T-shirts
2 Shorts
1 Skirt
1 Dress
1 Pair pants
1 Long sleeve (serves as rash guard as well)
1 Sweatshirt
1 Rain jacket
2 Pairs socks
3 Bras
2 Sports bras
10 Pairs undies
Footwear:
Flipflops
Strappy sandals
Trail running shoes
Electronics:
Macbook Pro Retina
iPhone 5
GoPro Hero 4 Black edition
Canon S110
Kindle
Universal adapter
Various chargers, extra batteries, external hard drive, straps...
Portable "pocket" charger (good for 1.5 iPhone charges)
Dive gear:
Fins/Booties
Mask
Dive Computer
Underwater housing for Canon S110
PADI Diver's Log
Miscellaneous:
Yoga mat
Travel towel
Water bottle (which doubles as a sticker collection)
2 pairs Sunglasses
Bandana
Journal
Pens
Lip Balm
Sunscreen
Mosquito repellent
Head lamp
Deck of cards
Small string backpack
Last but not least- my essential of all non-essentials, the jack of all trades, I never leave home without: My sarong, which I like to refer to as a my "Sa-right" because it is good for so many things! Skirt, shirt, cover up, scarf, sheet, pillow, ground cover, temporary umbrella, laundry bag, towel, tourniquet (hopefully not!), floor mat, curtain, you name it!
One last note on packing: anytime I repack to move to a new destination, I ALWAYS double and triple check that I have my passport, wallet w/ credit and debit cards, iPhone, camera, computer, and chargers.
