Leaving Tomorrow!!?!

Whoa. We leave tomorrow for the first destination of our round the world journey: NYC to visit some friends. Unbelievable!

It's funny because many weeks ago I decided we should have this week off of work in order to wrap things up and get ready. However, as the trip got closer I was afraid a week would be too long and we'd wished we left sooner. Nope! We've been busy every day this week, and it's been pretty constant. Between making more accommodation reservations, compiling a detailed itinerary of the things we have booked, and visiting with friends and family, we haven't had too many free moments.

We finished up our week off today with cleaning our house, finishing packing our bags, and getting a couple last minute things we needed. I also had a nice lunch with my mom, and just finished painting my toes. Can't bare my tootsies in Miami and Ecuador without my favorite hot pink toenails!! ;-)

We're looking forward to this weekend in NY with our friends, followed by a few days in the Miami sunshine where we will get to meet up with a couple more friends, share a meal with my aunt and uncle, and do a couple scuba dives to prepare for the week of diving we have ahead in the Galapagos!

My bag is officially packed (all 32.8 pounds of it!); let the adventure begin!!!

My new home and life possessions for four months!
I think she needs a nickname...any suggestions?

RTW Packing List

In the travel blogging community it seems to be sort of a rite of passage to post a packing list and photos. It is quite a daunting task to pack one backpack and one day pack for four months of travel to different climates and for different scenarios. Since we are only a few days from departure and preparing our bags, I suppose now is the time!

So this is what my packed bag looks like:

JUST KIDDING! (This was my mom's bag before she went on vacation last year - and my parents' adorable puppy Maggie!) I just had to put that in here cause she's so stinkin' cute!

OK, so here's the real breakdown of what is going into my backpack.

Footwear:
Merrell hiking boots
Keens Newport sandals
Havianas flip flops
Sidekicks Foldable flats (cheetah print)
3 pairs of hiking socks (lightweight)
2 pairs crew socks
1 pair black dress socks



Clothes:
Columbia Arcadia rain jacket
North face 1/4 zip fleece
3 cotton tees
1 long sleeve tee
5 tanks
2 dry wick tees
1 long sleeve dry wick 1/4 zip
Zip up yoga jacket
3/4 sleeve cardigan
1 short sleeve tee dress
2 quick dry tank dresses (one black and one colorful print to double as cover-ups)
Charcoal leggings
Black yoga pants
Columbia black water repelling pants
Kuhl Bandita knaki convertible pants
Jeans (dark wash, lightweight)
Black shorts
3 bikinis
Underwear (10)
Sports bra
Strapless bra
Regular bra (2)

Accessories:
2 scarves - 1 pink, 1 black
Colorful sarong
Hat with brim
Winter beanie
Cheapie gloves
Sunnies
Jewelry (2 necklaces, 2 earrings, extra belly button ring)

Hair accessories (hairbands, clips, bobby pins, headbands)

Extras:

Silksak sleeping bag liner

Pillowcase

XL travel towel

Minimal makeup (travel size Bare Minerals, mascara, eyeliner)

Airborne

Toiletries (travel size everything, plus my awesome foldable toothbrush!)

Cards

Headlamp

Travel alarm clock

Multipurpose tool (screwdriver, flashlight, bottle opener, etc)

Clothesline

Detergent packets

Waterproof pack cover

Duffel for checking pack at airport

Sunscreen

Bug repellent

Extra batteries

Luggage locks
Plastic zip ties for locking luggage
Safety pins
water bottle

Dive gear:

Computer

Mask

Snorkel

Hood

Gloves

Socks

Carry on/Day pack:
Wallet
Passports
Prescriptions
Paperwork
Cameras (Canon Power Shot Elph and Canon Digital Rebel XSi)
Extra memory cards
Power adaptors for other countries (Drew's bag)
Cords for electronics
Laptop (Drew will be carrying)

Kindle
iPhone
Eye mask
Journal and pen

Whew...now hopefully I'm not forgetting anything...

Dressing for Four Months of Life in One Backpack

My home office/art space has quickly become the catchall for all of the things I plan to carry in a 3,000 cubic inch pack on my back for four months.

Over the weekend, I played with my potential wardrobe. I mixed and matched separates and created weather and situational scenarios in my head. For example: 

"If I am wearing this outfit in Cuzco and it starts cooling off and raining what will I throw on?" 

"If it's going to be 50 degrees in the morning and 80 degrees by four PM, but I can't change and only have my small day bag, what would I wear that day?"

"If we have a little extra cash and want to splurge on dinner in Barcelona, what would I wear to a nice restaurant?"

"If we're in Rome and the Pope wants to meet us, what would be appropriate?"

You get the idea. ;-)

When I told my husband that I was a bit stressed about taking the right wardrobe so I was playing dress up, he responded with, "Yeah, that's definitely a girl thing."  What can I say? Male wardrobes are so much simpler (and although my packing situation is more complicated, it's also much more fun!)!!

So what clothing items am I taking?  This is my pile: 

I will be adding a pair of jeans, a pair of khaki convertible pants that are waiting to be washed, and some socks, but I may be stripping out a couple items as well.

It may not seem like much - and it's really not - but there are so many other essentials (toiletries, cameras, diving gear, paperwork, journal, Kindle, footwear, laptop!) to take and only so much room in my pack!

Before we leave I will be sure to post a picture and list of the items that made the final cut, as well a picture of my bag packed and ready to go.

But for now...I continue to add and subtract items and contemplate the value of each and every addition.

Any advice or must have items?