It's Bangkok, Bitches!: Packed

We are officially packed and ready to go. Save for a few things I need to stuff into my carry on, everything has been purchased and packed for both of us. It is a frightening thing to realize that everything I own will be contained in a 65L backpack that I will carry around day in and day out for an entire month. The thought is also liberating though and I think we will either come back realizing that we don't need as much as we think we need OR we will gain an appreciation for all the things we do have.

That being said... I'm still bringing a hell of a lot of stuff! When I laid out all of the things I felt I needed (and I was being very sparing), I put them all into my bag and it was comfortably full. The problem is, you should never travel anywhere with a full pack. I took it all out and hummed and hawed over every little thing - I ended up getting rid of one pair of shorts. Yup, really slimming it down. Thankfully, B suggested we roll all of our clothing and then put them in large ziplock bags with the air squeezed out of them. I was surprised at how much room could be saved just by rolling everything. I went from having zero extra room to having nearly a foot of space. Just the right amount of room to pack an adorable cat.

The most terrifying issue, and this is where men and women likely differ, is that we are not bringing a flat iron or a blow dryer. THIS is a very big deal. It is due to be raining and 36 degrees when we arrive in Bangkok. Do I need to repeat that? That level of humidity will turn my hair into a tumbleweed. I hope there isn't a strong wind - but then again, it might save me the cost of a train ticket up north.

I delegated the task of making a first aid kit to B. She has worked in a clinic and has the knowledge and access to many things we might need. The average first aid kit for travel is about 20-30$ and weighs no more than 1lb generally. B has spent 120$ and was at one point including a tracheotomy straw (I talked her out of this.) I kid you not, if I needed a liver transplant we could do it on the ferry ride to Koh Tao. We also have the equipment to do sutures, some artificial tear eye drops and vagisil, because, "Try explaining 'itchy vagina' to a pharmacist in Thailand."

I've included a picture of B's belongings as well as mine - yes, that small amount of stuff (or does it look like a lot?) is everything we'll own for an entire month. I refuse to weigh mine because I think that will only make it feel heavier. I know for a fact that while I'm hunched over in a train station in Bangkok the last thing I need to know is how much my bag weighs, "Well I am carrying 35 lbs you know."

Mine: