Before I move to Guatemala, I need to put all my valuable possessions into one suitcase, and one carry-on luggage. A task that is not much different to packing for a 2 weeks holiday, since in this case I will be able to wash my clothes on site. Still, I don’t plan on coming back for at least six months, so I have to be prepared for all kinds of climates and occasions, and packing appropriately is a must.

I am cutting the fat here about the first tries, and all that I had initially selected and then removed, to make it short I tried to be

Circumstance appropriate : I am off to a rural area, to build a house and transform an old ranch. Do I really need three pairs of heels and twelve dresses? With little clothing, I need sturdy items, that are also classics and can be adapted to many occasions.

Weather appropriate : I am going to live under the sun, two sweaters in case I go somewhere cold and one jacket should be enough.

Personality appropriate : I live in flip flops most of the year, I don’t need 12 pairs of socks.

Cost appropriate: I can buy cheap t-shirts if I need to over there, for $4 or $5, whereas buying a new jacket would cost me $200. It is worth bringing the jacket.

This was tough because after almost two years traveling on a motorcycle, I wanted to bring clothes that I didn’t get to wear during that time. Once again I have to limit myself, although I also realize that I really don’t need much. However, there should be wedding and parties invitations, unlike during the bike trip, when I will have to dress formal.

I took my favorite items because I have few things and want to enjoy them. I know I will use them heavily and my favorite pair of jeans will probably be unwearable after three months. But I want to be comfortable in things that fit and flatter my body shape.

What made the cut and is going to Guatemala?

One small handbag with

My passort. Duh.

My wallet with credit cards, a few Euros, my driving license.

A few checks in case I need to bring Euros over.

Some stamps. You never know when you need to send an urgent letter home and there is just someone taking the next flight who can post it.

ID pictures. To ask for a visa, renew a lost passport, it saves time.

Carry-on backpack with

1 laptop

1 USB stick

1 Ipod and earphones

1 ”dumbphone” (will buy a SIM card there)

1 USB 3G modem (will buy another SIM for internet access)

1 portable hard drive.

1 digital camera

Their respective chargers and an international adapter.

One pair of flip flops for the plane

1 tshirt and underwear for the long trip through Mexico

1 toothbrush, toothpaste and floss

Some facial wipes

1 pair of sunglasses

Enough space left to put the small purse inside that backpack and not offend the flight attendants with one piece of luggage policy.

Anything valuable, breakable, and that I can’t simply afford to lose because ”we are sorry, we can’t seem to find your bag” is in there. The rest is in my suitcase that I check-in.

1 suitcase with

CLOTHES

9 tshirt (plus 1 on me), of various shapes and colors

4 nicer tops

2 formal shirts

4 tank tops

2 sweaters 1 hoodie

1 formal skirt, 2 formal dresses

1 summer skirt, 3 summer dresses

1 pair of jeans

1 pair of sweat pants

1 pair of khaki short pants

1 legging

1 pair of light pants to serve as pajamas

5 bras (1 strapless, 1 sports)

5 pairs of socks, 1 pair of tights

10 panties.

2 swimming shorts, 1 one piece swimming suite, 1 two piece suite.

SHOES

one pair of sneakers

one pair of heels

one pair of Moroccan babouches (kind of slippers) for inside the house

second pair of flip flops. I basically live in them

wearing one pair black boots because they would take a lot of space

MISC

1 scarf

1 sarong

1 Swiss army knife

1 bottle opener

a little jewelery, one necklace and a few earrings, don’t want to attract too much attention.

HYGIENE

Just the good stuff 🙂 that I know will be either complicated or expensive to buy.

One perfume

One expensive day face cream

Girl stuff such as make-up, Mooncup (if you use tampons know that you won’t find them everywhere), hairbrush, etc.

will buy shampoo, shower gel, soap and toothpaste over there.

WHAT I AM WEARING ON THE PLANE

I try to be comfortable when I fly, so I put on my ample jeans, ample tshirt and a hoodie, plus a jacket. They are all part of the list above, and everything fits in my suitcase, so when I travel through Mexico and wear less clothes because it is hot, I can repack accordingly.

1/4 of my suitcase is still empty, so I can put something at the last minute and won’t break my back carrying it. I also have a duffel bag inside because the suitcase it BF’s.

Are you packing lighter or heavier with the years? Ever come back from a holiday with things you didn’t use?



