Well, now we face the test: How much can we reduce our luggage for this trip? Given that we will be carrying it around for 18 weeks, the less we have the better. Generally, this is a difficult area for me. I have a kind of Boy Scout “Be Prepared for any Eventuality” mentality and it often ends up that I’m carrying a much heavier bag than is necessary. After all, it’s possible to find the essentials almost anywhere in the world.

I remember reading that when Mother Teresa traveled, she never took ANY luggage! Of course, I don’t expect Cynthia and I will have anywhere near the retinue that followed Mother Teresa, but still, it’s a good lesson to remember about feeling sufficient and letting the universe provide. My more modest goal is to pack everything into a 44-liter Lookout daypack from REI.

Tempting as it was to bring along a telescope for the solar eclipse, I resisted that and settled for a pair of binoculars and a #14 welder’s glass. Also, no scuba diving equipment on this trip. See? I really have made progress toward traveling with less.