Eclectic Packing

So I just recently read a 10 page article on how to pack light.
Thank you Brad!

There is a lot of philosophy and reasons to pack light and so I moved past the irony of the length of the article to revisit again what I was packing.
Though I went upstairs and took out four items from my back pack it also sent me shopping..... Again.....
And it also sent me into a bit of spiral of second guessing.

Packing light requires a lot of thought and effort.
So I guess I can see why such a long article was required.

I could easily go for the linen and white on white look, which I actually have, but my guess is that wouldn't be to practical in the hill country of Laos.

I could go very practical with that SPF 60 coverage fabric with snaps and secret pockets galore. But fear I might end up looking like a tilley safari advertisement and I just can NOT go there.  One must have something that makes them smile when they put it on, shouldn't they?

And, I couldn't quite bring myself to pay for a complete high end fancy roll in a 2" ball quick dry  travel dream wardrobe.   I figure I will be tired of it after 3 months and so didn't want to overly invest.  Save it for a new outfit (or two) when I come home.

So in the end, I am finding myself having a little of this and little of that.  Value village joins forces with quick dry Patagonia.  Hand me downs meet boutique beauties.

Eclectic!  Thought that was for interior decorating!
But that's us.  The Klassen eclectic look that will hopefully sustain me for three months of trekking, biking, boating, diving, walking and most importantly fit on my back.

Yikes!!!! Six more sleeps!

Back to the packing and checking my lists! Or maybe just read the article again and take another thing or two out!

Why travel for 3 months?

The number one question we have gotten about this trip is:
3 months!? Wow! Why travel for 3 months?
We've asked that question ourselves and come at it in two parts.
Part 1:  Why travel?
In reading blogs, books and travel sites you see that some people travel to lose themselves, some to find themselves, some for adventure, some because they just can't sit still, some because they want to change the world, some to learn more about the world.  I know this is not an exhaustive list.
But, no matter the starting point, I think when you travel you are changed.
Your perspective on life changes.  You learn to walk in a tension that comes with the reality of the vast differences in our world, how that makes you feel and what you want your role to be.  You become more thankful.  You become more interesting.  You become more informed.  You have an opportunity to experience how others live, think and see what they value.  You push yourself to have adventures, be uncomfortable, not have all the answers, take risks and come out empowered because you did it.  A goal I have for this trip is to say yes to the scary, to the unknown, to the uncomfortable and also to listen and observe and learn from the people and the world around me.  I travel for adventure and new experiences knowing that I will learn more about myself, and in that be changed. And change is good.
Part 2:  Why three months?
To put it simply.  Our daughter asked!
And how can you say no for a chance to learn more about your child and build into your relationship?  How can you say no to the opportunity of watching them discover more about themselves and the world around them?  How can you say no to creating a memory that will last a lifetime?  How can you say to no to your 16 year old when they are asking and willing to put up with you for 3 months straight?
We couldn't say no.