Thanks to Travellai @ Flickr
After travelling for a year with a cheap backpack through the Middle East and S.E. Asia my back was starting to feel the strain. I had previously bought a cheap $60 backpack for a short eight day trip to NYC in 2006 but when I left the UK after trying out more expensive packs it still felt the most comfortable. I tried out a beautiful Vaude pack with detachable wash bag however at only 50 liters it wasn’t big enough. I then tried out a $220 Berghaus pack which pulled me back into a wall when I put it on! Even with the minimum amount of gear that I needed packed, as I walked I could feel myself being pulled from side to side, this is after it had been professionally adjusted to fit me.
So I stuck with my cheap but highly durable $60 backpack that I could fit everything in and fitted snugly. However, after arriving in Las Vegas, having been on the road for nearly a year, my back was starting to feel the strain, so I bought a durable Samsonite suitcase, figuring this would suit the next phase of our travels perfectly, as we would be travelling slower and staying in each place longer. Also, not having to pull everything out to find one item was great.
I travelled with this for a few weeks but soon found myself the convenience of having my bag on my back, especially when climbing steps was necessary. Also, as our travel plans have changed now, I require a backpack again, so I found the perfect compromise in REI. I bought their backpack specially for women that is a top loader but also has a huge opening panel on the front so it can be accessed in the same way as a suitcase.
I also got rid of our horrible travel towels a few months ago that felt like shammy leather and left us feeling as grubby as before we got in to the shower! But in EMS I found some great microfiber towels that pack a little bit bigger but are the same weight as our previous ones.
I know all the advice says to leave jeans behind at home however I have really missed mine, being a real t-shirt and jeans type of girl, so I am indulging in bringing a pair with me this time, at least until we leave Mexico City.
I also bought us some fast drying light shorts and I will keep hold of some trousers I bought from GAP when first arriving in the States that I inadvertantly found dry within a couple of hours.
I also have a couple of vests but think I will leave those behind with a friend and get another t-shirt or two.
I also bought some new Keen sandals having had my previous Berghaus pair stolen from the Malaysian postal system. I only just managed to stop myself from buying a new pair of Merrell walking boots!
