Chasing Amy-Lou

Now, I’m far from a globetrotting-pro, and I don’t claim to be experienced in navigating my way across rough terrain, remote desert land or arctic tundra with only 7kgs on my back and a tattered old atlas for company, but I do happen to know a few things, and what essentials to take with you and what to leave behind may just be some of them. Here’s my list of items I think you should omit when setting out on a journey that may last as long as two years; when backpacking becomes serious business:

• Heels. Just. Don’t. There’s absolutely no need and you’ll never wear them. Fact.For one, they weigh down and take up too much space in your bag; and no-one, and I mean, NO-ONE will actually be bothered whether you wear flats on a night out or not. Heels can be picked up for next to nothing in some countries so if you do feel the need to elevate yourself on a night out, then a cheap pair that you can leave in a hostel/give to a charity shop after you’ve worn them will more than suffice.

• A hairdryer. Unless you plan on going to several high profile job interviews and have a mop of unruly hair that stays wet, for like, forever, then yeah, it’s acceptable. Otherwise, as with point one – there’s just no need.

• Fifteen pairs of shorts. You will NEVER wear fifteen pairs of shorts, opting instead to recycle the same three pairs over and over and over again. Trust me.

• More than three bikinis/pairs of swimmers – anyone who takes more than this clearly hasn’t grasped the concept of ‘backpacking’. In fact, if you take more than two bikinis for a two week beach holiday then there’s something wrong with you.

• A jewellery collection that could effectively assist in the opening of a new Accessorize store. Why? Just, why? One ring. Two necklaces. One watch. Two pairs of earrings. At most. Keep it simple.

• More than two towels. I took ONE towel with me for a ten month trip and did not require more. I used it for everything. If you’re reading this and thinking that my method of bathroom-to-beach etiquette is pretty minging and unhygienic then yeah, it probably is, but hey…I didn’t get sick, I’m not infected, and me and the towel survived. Just.

• More than two paper-back books. If you are lucky enough to own a kindle/tablet then you’ll already know that taking books backpacking is unnecessary, if only for how much they weigh and how much space they take up. However, it genuinely is nice to have a real, proper book in your hands; to turn those crisp dog-eared pages, AND, to help other travellers out by leaving them in hostels or passing them to roommates once you’ve finished with them.

• A selection of lenses, flash attachments and tripods that could sink a very large battleship. An iPhone or GoPro, or small digital camera are more than adequate and it’s surprising what beautiful images you can capture using the smallest of devices. As well as being a target for thieves, larger equipment is a pain to carry around. Leave the Canons and photography paraphernalia to the professionals and, if you MUST (although I don’t advocate them myself), a selfie-stick (spews into shoe and sells-out) can help a solo-traveller when wanting to take beautiful yet difficult shots.

• Unless completely necessary, you will not need a laptop. A tablet or decent smart phone can do most things laptops can and you’ll be less devastated should you lose/damage them, or worse, have them stolen. Also, most local libraries and hostels have actual computers, and if you happen to find yourself in a remote area, with no libraries or phone signal…then why would you need a laptop anyway? Enjoy the scenery and bask in the magic of getting lost.

• An on-trend hat or this season’s must have coat that prove difficult to pack and take up unnecessary room in your bag due to strategic placement so as not to ruin them. If you simply must take the latest head accessories and insist on channelling your inner Coachella/floppy-hat-wearing-hippy then go ahead but I feel experienced enough to tell you that travelling is NOT a fashion show. Contrary to popular belief, no-one will really care about whether you look fashionable or not, and in all honesty, neither should you – travelling is about experiencing new places, taking in the sights and sounds, enhancing your world knowledge and meeting new and interesting people. And this, in my opinion, is how it should remain.

Happy backpacking you beautiful humans! Travel light, travel safe, travel smart.