Too Much Stuff Syndrome!

He who would travel happily must travel light

- Antoine de Sait Exupery

When Dorte and I packed for our round the world trip, we both fell victim to Too Much Stuff Syndrome (TMSS). So, in France, we shipped some clothes/shoes to Dorte's sister in Denmark. Me, the big and heavy items I shipped were runners and a pair of jeans. My hiking shoes would have to be enough and who needs jeans when it is 30+ everyday, and they take ages to try. Six months later, I ended up buying a pair of jeans and sandals in New Zealand. Sure beats carrying something on your shoulders for six months that you don't use! Besides, my hiking pants could double for jeans.

I still had TMSS; my knapsack would barely close, which was an improvement from sitting on it! So, for awhile, at each hotel along the way, I would examine my luggage and try to leave one thing behind at each location. This strategy worked quite well because it made me think of what was really important. Often, these were things that I thought someone could use, and I was happy to leave it for them.

Finally, in Turkey, about a month and a half later, I sent more stuff back to Denmark with Dorte's daughter Stephanie, who happened to be living in Denmark at that time. A pair of dress pants and a dress belt, a Kobo reader, and one of 3 pairs of hiking socks further lightened my load. All of this I did despite the well-intentioned warnings of good friends and world travellers Sharen and Keith (Yes, you may take a bow now!). They only travel with carry on packs! How does this work?They buy what they need along the way (e.g.. warm clothing in Nepal), and give it away with satisfaction when they are done with it. Also, think of the benefits of no waiting for luggage and no lost luggage!

First flight, and the only time we lost luggage!

Why do we travel with so much stuff? Europe, with 400 million people, surely has everything we need. Every other country has brand stores where you don't have to worry about buying cheap knock-offs! I think it is a combination of a little bit of insecurity and the hassles when you are on holidays to look for something you need. It is a lot more difficult to find something and much more time consuming, when you don't have a car and you need to rely on public transportation. Also the prices for clothes and hard goods are often 2-3 more expensive in Europe as opposed to North America. 

We both felt the Sharen and Keith's option was too extreme for us as we are avid hikers. We both use expensive hiking poles which would not be allowed on planes, and have Goretex rain wear which would be prohibitively expensive to buy. As we like to climb mountains, we felt we need that extra change of clothes, it can be much chillier at higher elevations. We need specialized quick dry clothes and thermal underwear for the nights in the Himalayas with no heat. Even though we only to used them for 5 weeks in Nepal and 1 week in northern Vietnam, we both felt it was worth it to carry them for the whole trip. Turns out we were smarter than we thought, because we changed our plans and went to New Zealand. 

Tongariro Crossing

We felt that some things we carried were essential, i.e. malaria medication, high altitude and diarrhea pills, antibiotic swaps and a complete hiking safety kit were things we didn't scrimp on. We had a bad experience once north of Whistler when snow shoeing in the winter with -30C conditions, and we decided from then on we would be self sufficient. I did regret buying two bottles of DEET in Vancouver. I am sure I could have got them in Kathmandu. If I had my time back I would have taken far less clothes, washing more often in hotel sinks and laundromats when/where possible as mentioned in the previous blog post.

Final Pieces of Advice

Bring less stuff and twice as much money
Once you have done your final packing , empty it all on the bed, and discard at least half of it
Plan to purchase what you need locally

Most of the luxuries and many of the so-called comforts of life are not
only indispensable, but positive hindrances to the elevation of mankind

- Henry David Thoreau