I get beautiful comments about my traveling style even though people think I didn't pack the necessary things at first. I can't even remember what inspired my style, but I have influenced a few people with my traveling pack style, which doesn't seem right initially. I travel a lot, but mostly on short trips to see my family and friends in different parts of Nigeria, and there is this common reaction I get often.
The pictures were captured by me
"Is that all your luggage?" That's the first question I get many times, and when I say yes, everyone sees me as an unserious person.
"I won't let you use my things. I hope you are not depending on my clothes because we aren't the same size. I also get teased about sharing hairbrush." These funny responses are what I always get, but in the end, I leave my host wondering how I survived on that small backpack for sometimes a month.
Seeing this week's prompt, I told myself that a suitcase is too much for me because a small backpack is enough for me to travel a whole year. Whenever I am going on a trip, I go with a few things because why do I have to travel with things that I can easily get or replace at my destination or during the trip?
My deciding factor would be my destination, the weather, and probably the purpose of the trip. These things would determine what I am packing for a whole, but still, it wouldn't be many items.
My most essential items for a whole year trip would be two pairs of tops, a sweater, two trousers, a skirt, a gown, two hijabs, a small towel, a few undies, deodorant, toothpaste, a toothbrush, body cream, a slipper, a sandal, and my hair kit. These are exactly the same things I packed when coming for my NYSC program but I got two extra gowns here because just one wouldn't do for work, jummat and a few events I have attended here so far.
Looking at the list critically, I don't need more than these because I can always replace them when there is a need to do that. These sets of clothes will be colors that can blend well whichever way I wear them, so expect black, blue, and vintage tone does the job.
Another thing I do is that every morning, I wash my previous day's clothes and underwear, which means I can't run out of clothes except when the weather is bad, making it impossible to dry them. I might not even need to buy clothes, and if it's a must, I can easily look for a thrift store to get something good at affordable prices.
Replacing my deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush, and a few other things won't be a problem since I can get them at local stores around me.
Having everything in a small backpack makes my trip awesome. I don't worry about losing my things on the bus since my only backpack is always sitting on my lap. I get to capture beautiful moments, watch a movie, listen to music, or read a book because I am free to do these things; it would be a different experience if I had too many bags to protect.