One of my longest relationships has been with my Osprey backpack. We’re approaching our 10 year anniversary. It’s been with me since my first solo trip (Italy in Summer of 2016) and nearly every trip since then. It is accompanied by my small Osprey day trip, which has definitely seen better days. Don’t get a light grey backpack, folks. However, you can pry them both out of my cold dead hands. I’m hoping to have many happy decades and trips with them yet.

Traveling with one bag (plus the daypack) has been a constant in my life, besides my time studying abroad. For that, I took a large suitcase, and greatly regretted it. There is nothing quite like the freedom I find traveling with my 40L. I’m agile, adventurous, I can kick and punch! It fills my romantic notion of a girl on the run, hands free and ready for anything.

The limiting factor is I do wear the same clothes on repeat for about a week and a half (I bring 10 pairs of underwear), before finally hearing their cries of ‘wash me’, Sometimes that wash is a classic hostel sink + Dr. Bronner’s soap combo. Eventually, it has to be a full laundry run. Make sure to include laundry in your budget - it adds up fast.

I do bring a few creature comforts (this iPad for writing, my Kindle, eye mask, pillow, and earplugs). I find it’s important to have one nicer outfit that makes you forget that you are looking a bit scruffy. A power bank is essential, travel converter a must. Meds + first aid kit, quick dry towel, a good toiletry bag. Leave a little space, enough for the daypack. Items seem to magically expand over time (maybe it’s the dirt?). You can lighten the load by moving some things to the daypack.

This is my first trip bringing my binoculars. They take up way too much space, but I’m excited to experience travel for the first time as a baby birder. Every trip I discover something new (birding was from my trip to Argentina). I’m excited to see what I come away with on this one.

I’ve included some pictures of my pack. I believe Andrew will show his beautifully organized pack as well. He is the first person with whom I’ve travelled more long-term, and is really exposing my type B travel nature. I have lots to learn from him. I’ll link to his pack. But, you can buy most things in the country so don’t sweat it!