Backpacking 101-Packing part II

Sorry about the lack of updates for the past 2 weeks. As I have mentioned before, I have been quite busy with my self-imposed exile moving abroad business, as well as watching the entire series of Lost-which turned out to be a huge waste of time; I want my life back-and now with FIFA World Cup 2010, I can't find time to do a decent blog post.

Believe it or not, putting together posts for this blog takes time, anywhere from an hour to almost a day, to make something of a "quality." I'm not begging for your sympathy, I'm just ranting for your understanding. :)

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While I'm a huge bag lady, I'm not known for carrying a huge wardrobe, unlike some lady backpackers I've witnessed to be guilty of this charge. It's been easier for me to narrow down my wardrobe over the years without sacrificing much of the style, albeit I tend to dress much more conservatively than I do back in New York.

Although I had to resort to living in sweatpants during the last few months of my trip due to my small backpack due to my amazing dresses getting stolen & a broken hand, I usually love dressing somewhat nicely when I travel. Vanity issues aside, here is why: I don't know about your preference but I prefer to not walk around with a huge "Tourist" sign stamped on my forehead. There is no easier target than an obviously lost foreigner in a pair of expensive hiking boots and utilitarian cargo pants(or worse, the ubiquitous unofficial "backpacker pants" that awfully resemble clown pants) with his/her backpack worn in the front, a guidebook in hands.

Here are some tips:

-Pack layers of lightweight clothes rather than one bulky item.

It's much easier to travel with layers of lightweight clothes that weigh the same as one bulky item, especially if you are traveling across various climates. Not only is it more practical, but it also gives you a variety to choose from. It also helps to preserve heat better if you dress in layers than wearing one item. I usually pack a few light sweaters or cardigans and shirts and layer them. 

-Pack easily washable, wrinkle-free items.

If you are traveling for more than a week, you will probably have to do laundry while you are on the road. Try to pack clothes that are pretty easy-maintenance, meaning they can be hand/machine-washed, and better if they are wrinkle-free as well. 

I had these amazing jersey dresses purchased in Japan that could be rolled up into a small ball and still come out wrinkle-free. Since Japan is the master of layered-looks, they were great for layering; I could wear a different type of shirt + tights/leggings underneath to suit the climate. Unfortunately, they were stolen along with my backpack in Chile. ::shaking fist::

-Research local fashion/customs.

Some countries' strict dress codes are more (in)famous than others. A well-known example is the dress code for women in Muslim countries, where women are required to don hijab as well as to cover their bodies in more conservative regions. Some countries/regions' customs are not as well-known to outsiders, but still, they are expected to be obeyed. 

When I was preparing for my trip to India, I came across an unfamiliar dress code: sleeveless shirts are considered revealing. I had read this before leaving for India but unwisely chose to ignore this, because I thought it was an absolutely mad idea since the traditional Sari consists of midriff-baring choli. Different countries have different standards; while in some countries, sleeveless shirts maybe considered less revealing than midriff-baring shirts, in some countries, they are not. I foolishly packed mostly sleeveless shirts and ended up having to cover my shoulders with a shawl in scorching weather with a heat index of 110-120 degrees Fahrenheit(roughly 40-50 degrees Celsius). 

Also in Korea, a few Western girls told me that they have experienced random old ladies coming up and pulling their midriff-baring shirts down to cover the bellies. 

Do your research ahead about the countries/regions' unique customs and adhere to it. You may think it is oppressing your individuality and feel the urge to rebel, but following the local dress code shows a sign of respect towards the region's culture. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. 

-Have at least one comfortable outfit for long bus rides/flights/sail etc.

I know, I know.

Style always wins out in the end but, it's excruciatingly painful to sit through 12+ hrs of journey in a pair of skin-tight, blood-circulation-obstructing skinny jeans.(Kudos to you rare ladies who travel in skin-tight dresses and 5+ inch stilettos with perfect hair and makeup) Not saying you have to resort to wearing sweatsuits, as there are plenty of comfortable options which can be stylish at the same time. Even if you can endure suffering in the name of fashion, pack at least one comfortable outfit for your trip; your body will thank you. 

-Have one fancy outfit for going out. 

Although you might not expect to attend a fancy gala in uh, say, Himalayas, you never know what occassion/who you might run into. 

I'm a firm believer in "Good shoes bring you to good places," although in my case, it's more about the entire outfit than just the shoes. I'm not saying you should be anticipating an event-of-the-century in the middle of nowhere, but you should have at least one dressy outfit that can be easily maintained for going out to any place that requires a "fancy" dress code, such as theatres, galleries, restaurants etc. 

-Keep a basic sewing kit handy.
Sewing is one of the most necessary life skills on the road. Learn how to sew basic stitches-such as mending a hole, sewing a button etc-and pack a small sewing kit. Also, pack a few safety pins: they come in quite handy when you don't have time to sit down and sew or if you are too lazy to sew like myself.

-Go shopping and donate/leave behind or discard old clothes.

Update/upgrade your wardrobe by going clothes shopping when you are traveling. It doesn't have to be a guilty spending spree-there are plenty of affordable options available-check out local thrift stores, vintage stores as well as bargain outlets and sales racks.

Donate or discard clothes that you don't need anymore. The key is not to expand your luggage, so only do this when it's absolutely necessary(of course, a "necessity" can be defined very subjectively).

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P.S. How amazing are Argentina and Germany in FIFA World Cup? I usually love Brasil the most, but their performance against North Korea was a bit disappointing.(Ronaldo & Ronaldinho, you are both dearly missed) Argentina has been phenomenal (Messi-WHOA) + I was giggling the entire time Germany played against Australia because I was uh, charmed with their prowess haha.