The time has nearly come. I remember looking down at the counter that I have on my phone and seeing it say four-hundred and something days. Today it has the tiniest little “1” on there. Of course the digits are all the same size, but seeing “1” on there, makes it seem so small. Thinking about how long it seemed to take to get here, and as the numbers counted down, time seemed to speed up disproportionately.
I did a test pack last night to see how everything fit. I remember reading someone’s advice which said to arrange everything out on the floor that you feel you really need to take. Then only take half of it. I didn’t fare too far off that. No Leatherman (it was half a pound!), and instead only my trusty CRKT M16. No PN-60 GPS, only my phone and a compass if I get really lost. Lots of stuff didn’t make the cut.
The pic below shows what I’m taking, and it’s sitting on top of my pillow. The daypack is at the right. The stuff in there includes my phone, laptop, kindle, and camera (and assorted lenses, chargers, cables, and other electronic paraphernalia related to these). Taking technology costs a lot in weight. I was hoping to do the 6 weeks with a 25lb pack, but all said and done, the contents (mostly) including electronics come in about 37lb. But, that’s satisfactory to me, as most of the time I won’t be lugging my whole pack around; I’ll only be taking the daypack.
I’ve made sure the daypack fits inside the backpack for ease of carry, and with some newly sourced compression sacks (thanks, Kevin!) it should fit a bit more easily.
People have asked what I’m taking… Well, in addition to the electronics above, I’m taking a pair of pants, a pair of shorts, 2 t-shirts, and 3 pair of underwear and socks. Some toiletries, a super-absorbent towel, the mosquito net I mentioned in an earlier blog post, a sleeping sack (the Dreamie; got it on woot.com 2 for 9.95 including shipping!), and a partial roll of toilet paper for when I find myself so lucky.
Speaking of lucky… There are some logistical obstacles when “practicing” squat-style with a western toilet which I now know from experience. Feet need to be on top of the bowl, and even then there’s a precarious foot of vertical travel between the object’s origin and the water line. A gap this size lends itself to particle acceleration and a bit of splashing and possibly a curse word or two. Bracing with one hand on the window sill and the other on the vanity top proved helpful if awkward. And then came the finale.
The wipe.
But (forgive the pun), it isn’t really as much of a wipe as it is a grab. Over and over into the running faucet stream for the required cleanliness for a second pass, and then a third, etc. It is a bit laborious, but I imagine I will improve with time, and at least I have a bit of confidence on the procedure.
A bit of quality-time with some anti-bacterial soap, some nail clippers, and some industrial-strength floor stripper and I was ready to hand feed grapes to my wife again (Ok. I’m kidding about the floor stripper. And the grapes).
In other news, the third-guessing I wondered about in a previous post, came to fruition today for about 30 minutes, and it was done. I think it’s over for good; it feels “done.”
Thanks to everyone for the emails/calls/conversations/letters/cards and for the people from whom I have gotten such great information: especially Kim, Bob, and Tameem & Sejal. I could only hope that this blog will provide some of that same type of assistance to future travellers.
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