Travel Light: The How And WhyWritten by Steve Gillman
I learned how to travel light from lightweight backpacking, then found it was just as useful to keep it light on trips overseas or driving across country. The last time my wife and I went to Ecuador, I had 10 pounds of luggage, all in one carry-on bag, and Ana had just 8 pounds in her carry-on bag. This wasn't a short trip. We spent six weeks in Ecuador, at times on glacier-covered mountains, and at other times lounging on Pacific coast beaches. Travel SimplicityWhy travel light? Travel simplicity. Everything is simpler when you travel light. With only carry-on luggage, we were on our way to a restaurant in Quito, while others were still waiting for their checked luggage. When we took busses our luggage was safely with us, not on roof or in hold below being cut open, like one time when I was in Mexico. While others struggled down street with three heavy bags, we had our hands free and were walking comfortably because we use daypacks or small backpacks. We had less to lose, less to be stolen, less to wait for, less to pack and unpack in hotels, and less to worry about. Light Travel IssuesThere are a couple minor problems when you travel light. First, expect an extra question or two from customs officials at airport (Six weeks with only this?). Second, a small bag won't work if you plan to bring back many souvenirs. In this case, you can still go light. Just plan to buy a second bag at some point during trip, to carry your acquisitions. As for seemingly obvious issue of not having enough clothes and other things all in one or two small bags, I'll explain below why that isn't as big a problem as you may think. How To Travel LightSilk shirts weigh 3 ounces, and travel well if rolled up. Nylon dress socks weigh less than an ounce, and they are cool and comfortable. Poly-cotton blend t-shirts weigh 5 ounces. Supplex or other lightweight travel slacks weigh 9 ounces, and are sufficient for a fine restaurant or a walk in woods. All of these weigh less than half of typical travel choices, and take less space, yet function same. There is no sacrifice involved here. For this exercise in travel simplicity, you even get to go shopping for new clothes. You don't have to buy new clothes, however. You don't have to buy a scale and count ounces to travel light. Just choose lighter alternative whenever you can. Set aside your lightest jacket, socks and pants for your next trip. Travel simplicity is goal, not more complicated planning.
| | The Power Converter - Sometimes it's Just Not Enough! Written by Tara Pearce
Just because you have packed your handy power converter don’t get too confident that all your electrical problems are solved. Electronic appliances (CD players, stereos, VCRs) require a transformer instead of a voltage converter. Single Volt products with electronic circuitry need a specific sine wave to operate. An AC transformer will maintain quality of sine wave where as an AC power converter won’t, and therefore damage electronic circuitry. Fortunately many dual voltage converters include a built in transformer. Another thing that you will want to factor in is difference in Hertz (50 and 60Hz). Even with a travel converter, AC motors brought from North America (60Hz) to Europe (50Hz) will run slower. In some cases, like a hair dryer or electric razor, difference won’t be noticeable and as long as you used correct AC voltage converter you should be ok. However, other devices, like tape and CD players or electric clocks, even with use of your travel voltage converter, will not operate correctly. These devices, operating at 5/6 normal speed will be noticeably slower (i.e. Music will be played slower and clocks will lose time). When purchasing your voltage converters you I suggest purchasing a battery operated travel clock.
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