Lessons from Packing Light

Two and a half months into our 3-month journey through South-East Asia, my wife Anja and I found ourselves in Siem Reap, Cambodia, facing scorching heat and intense humidity. Surviving on nothing but rice and broth for three meals a day, we eagerly looked forward to our next stop at Ko Chang, Thailand, where we planned to indulge in cocktails on the famous picturesque beaches seen all over social media.

Usually minimalistic in our packing, this time Anja decided to bring along a hefty 50 lbs suitcase. The journey from Siem Reap to Ko Chang involved multiple modes of transportation, including three flights, one ferry ride, and two ridiculously cramped taxi rides with 12 people and all their baggage crammed into a truck meant for only eight passengers. Despite the challenges, we eventually arrived at our destination, only to be met with three consecutive days of heavy rain. Thankfully, the weather cleared up, and we managed to enjoy a few days of relaxation at a beautiful hotel, making the most of the beaches and pool.

I realized we had packed too much baggage during the first of the two taxi rides. Until then, we had only been on flights, where checking baggage was convenient. However, getting off the first taxi, we had to navigate through cars and trucks before reaching the ferry, and then I struggled to carry my backpack and Anja's 50 lbs. suitcase up a very steep flight of stairs to the ferry's second deck. Upon arrival, we had to haul our luggage downstairs while avoiding more vehicles as we disembarked.

As we set out on this journey, I had no idea what awaited us because Anja did all of the planning. All I heard was, "Do you want to go to a tropical island?" If I had known, I would have strongly urged Anja to reconsider her packing choices, especially since I was the one carrying her suitcase. The message here is clear - when starting a new journey, we have no idea what lies ahead. We cannot take everything with us; we must leave behind unnecessary baggage from the past season. The journey may be rough, and for the sake of ourselves and everyone around us, we must be selective about what we carry from the old season into the new one. Our baggage impacts not only us but also those traveling with us. What do you need to leave behind as you enter the new?