Mr. Kraft does life

So, as per the request of all of you out there, I am posting what I’m bringing on this trip.

Here we go:

I’ll be wearing one of the two outfits.  Those clothes are on the top left.  On top of the clothes is a money belt which also has my passport and some spare cash.  The bag is a chrome waterproof bike messenger backpack which is very sturdy although not designed for hiking, it kicks serious ass.  Atop the bag you can see the curl of a 100 oz water bladder, some money I’ll be hiding, along with a stainless steel water bottle, full of water.  I have another outfit, in layers with a t-shirt polypropylene base layer, a polypro long sleeve and a collared shirt.  These were thought through with help of the man like Dijon.  I’ve also got swim shorts / running shorts, loose fitting pants for relaxing and meditating, yoga, etc.  And of course some underwear and socks, two extra t-shirts.  Lastly for clothing is a tully sunproof hat and sunglass attachments for my glasses.  On the far right is a shitty sleeping bag in its sac with a waterproof tarp strapped to it.  I’ve got on the left some pink nylon string which is great for everything including DIY laundry lines in random places.  Toiletry bag.  Empty (full before the flight) reusable plastic container for food.  So key.  A waterproof, packable rainshell, A Course in Miracles, and a daybag that will carry a change wallet, chopsticks and titanium sport, bandana and handkerchief, iPhone, and the camera with which I took this picture.  There is also a plastic bag you can’t see within the large bag that has a whistle, lint, strong nylon string,  more earplugs, and a firestarting rod.  Oh, and one of those eye covers for when there is light and you want to go to sleep.

Toiletries.

Toiletry bag has been significantly reduced over the years.  This is my latest and greatest, and most proud reduction, yet.  Especially for trips of this length I’m proud.  Baking soda is the largest container.  It is my deoderant when I use any, it combines with the soap to be laundry detergent, and it’s just so damned useful.  Dr. Bronner’s almond scented castille soap.  I kept just the top  of the razor and ditched the handle since I use it so rarely and I can grip the razor itself no problem.  A few cotton swabs so I don’t get wax in my headphones.  Tweezers and nail clippers.  Vaseline.  Antibacterial ointment.  Rubbers.  Band-aids.  Herbal toothpaste made in NY State – so excellent.  Retainers!  Gum massager, toongue scraper, toothbrush, and floss.  This package actually packed up takes up very, very little space.

Gadgets include an iPhone which will be my phone in every country (jailbroken and unlocked with a number of goodies).  Charger for iPhone and euro power adapter.  Earplugs.  Panasonic Lumix LX-3 digicam with charger and 14gb memory, extra battery and data cable.  Shure e3-c earbuds.  Headlamp and spare batteries.  Not too shabby, if I do say so myself.  I’ve done long trips without music, but why starve if it’s already on the phone?

So, if I find out anything here was useless and I need to drop it, I’ll write about it.  Conversely if I need more I’ll tell you if I got anything along the way.   I’m almost positive I’ll need sandals.

I’m on a plane in about 12 hours.  Peace, love and floatation.

_S