Some people pack in an organized fashion prepping shopping lists and to-do lists for weeks before take off. I am not one of those people. I leave in 2 days for a six-week trip covering 5,000 miles through four countries on two continents. I fly Cleveland to Boston to Lisbon to Dakar on multiple airlines and I want to carry-on my bags whenever possible to avoid the dreaded lost luggage where I stress for days in a foreign country while wearing only the clothes on my back. I know (as always) I’m bringing too much and won’t need everything. A fellow pilgrim on the Camino de Santiago in Spain told me that anything extra one packs is just the weight of the fear of the unknown and unpredictable.

Looking at any social media platform you’re bound to encounter Knolling or flat lays, the trend of photographing items from overhead lined up neatly in a grid. Photos range from musical instrument parts, tools, art materials, and lately, nearly arranged items to pack for a trip. Knolling was started by the janitor at Architect Frank Gehry’s furniture store, Andrew Kromelow. Kromelow lined up his tools in an easy-to-access grid reminiscent of the angles in designer Florence Knoll’s furniture styles. But how did we get from a tool organizational system to a photography trend? You can thank artist Tom Sachs who worked with Gehry, encountered Kromelow and started taking photos.

Not that anything having to do with Knolling is relevant to me and my system of “throw it on a floor then squish and roll it into the bag as compactly as possible” method I employ. There’s always next trip, right? Anyway, here’s what I’m bringing for 6 weeks in Senegal, Morocco and Egypt with a 3 day layover in Lisbon from late June to early August.

Packing List

Clothes

6 undies
3 long sleeve shirts
2 tanks
2 pants
3 skirts
1 dress
4 socks
1 pair of shorts
1 tee-shit
leggings
flip flops
loafers
sneakers
sunglasses
bathing suit and bikini
bandana
head scarfs
rain jacket and pants
sarong

Toiletries

ziplock bags
sunscreen
malaria meds
liquid detergent
soap
deodorant
first aid kit- pain killer, antiseptic cream, antihistamine, diahreeah
bug spray
sewing kit
dental floss
baby wipes
tooth brush and toothpaste
towel
ear plugs and face mask
electrolyte tablets
comb
lip balm
safety pins
nail clippers and tweezers
bandaids and tape
tissues/TP
moisture lotion

Electronics and other items

water bottle
fanny pack/wallet
plug adapters
headlamp
daypack
sleeping bag liner
travel pillow
microphone
battery bank
water filters
notebook
iPad
deck of cards
pens
copies of passport and itinerary and plane tickets
passport photos
yellow fever documentation
cutlery, Tupperware
cash
CamelBak bladder
luggage lock for train
headphones
travel yoga mat
phone and charger
extra duffel bag and reusable grocery bag

It seems like a short list and it is. I’m taking the least amount of stuff on this trip than I have in a long time. I’m not packing boots, cycling gear or cold weather clothes. I’m not packing camping equipment or any specialty items. I know if I really need something I can buy the local equivalent.