The Essentials

Constantly changing where I lay my head makes excess a burden. Anyone who feels they need to eliminate things from their life should travel . . . it teaches me what really is of value and what just ends up taking up to much space. From bus to taxi, walking to tiny hostels, I am forced to bring fewer and fewer things along the way.
I divised a list of things I have with me for future reference and to give you an idea of my daily life:
-EagleCreek Travel Backpack with detachable daypack. It zips all the way open like a suitcase and has 2 compartments. The main one for all my clothes and random things, the smaller one for dirty clothes.
-6 pair of boardshorts. I´m sending back 2 pair with Toby, but it is the main thing I wear so variety is nice.
-5 pair socks. I don´t wear shoes often, but it´s nice to have a clean pair when I do because laundry service is hard to find.
-6 pair breifs. Use mostly when traveling from place to place, more comfortable than boardies on the bus or plane.
-1 pair of shoes. I brought a pair that I took camping only to find that they smelled horrible. I desposed of those and bought a new pair of loafer style in Rio. Anyone who knows me, knows I love shoes, so having only one pair is hard to do.
-Stickers. To pass out to friends and kids along the way
-Notebook for recording contact information and places I want to remember the name of
-Books. I brought 8 books to start which made my pack very heavy, but this also makes me inspired to read more so I can pass them on as I finish. Aaron (a friend I am traveling with who is into his digital items commented that I pack light, with only clothes and a library).
-1 pair of black slimfit jeans. Good for going out or if the weather is cold at night, which is rare
-3 pair of sunglasses. I figure I will lose, break or have at least one pair stolen at some point in the trip.
-iPod with 2 pair of headphones. By far the most valueble thing I have on my trip. I´m gone for 7 months and it has all my important music and mixes I´ve created on it. To lose it would be tragic because I can´t buy a new one and load up my music because that is back in the States. Bus travel would be impossible without it.
-Canon Rebel Digital Camera with Pelicon case. Too bulky and flashy. Gonna send this back with Toby and replace with a smaller waterproof camera.
-3 pair of shorts
-5 T-shirts. Wish I had more for variety. They cost too much in Brasil, so hopefully I can find cheaper one´s in other countries.
-1 dress shirt. I haven´t used it yet
-Games. Dominos, cards, and dice are great way to pass rainy days or interact with new or old friends.
-Contacts. I might do laser surgery when I get back because contacts are such a burden to bring and wear while traveling.
-Toiletries. Soap, razor, shaving cream, deodorant, nail clippers, scissors, small mirror, lotion, sunscreen (need more), travel toothbrush, toothpaste, sonic care tooth brush, floss, tweezers, bengay (savior for pain in my knee), and hand sanitizer.
-Knee brace. Bulky expensive item, dam you knee.
-Flip Video camera. Haven´t used it much yet, but it will come in handy at some point.
-Hat. Gave it away, wish I haden´t because it was great for protection from the sun.
-Volleyball. This is kind of a tease because I can only pepper at this point, cannot wait to be able to play again.
-2 small sweaters. Crucial for AC bus rides and airplanes.
    That´s all I can think of for now, less is more