Travel with a maximum of three bags. Use a larger backpack for all for your clothing, shoes and toiletries that cannot be in your carry-on luggage. Take with you a second smaller backpack just large enough to hold your carry-on essentials. Place your laptop, camera, book and other items in this bag to keep with you during flight. Insert a large, seal-able plastic bag inside the larger backpack to place any wet items so they will not get all of your other packed items wet while in transit.
Apply two words when thinking about what to pack while traveling as a minimalist: pairs and neutral. Pack at least two of everything clothes wise including shoes, socks, pants and shirts in neutral colors. Use pairs of everything so you can wash one set while wearing the other. Pack neutral colored items, which ensures that you can mix and match everything you take with you. Include two to fout pairs of underwear. Take a pair of sarongs, which are versatile and can be used for everything from a bag to a towel or even a blanket.
Pack one bar or bottle of multi-purpose soap. Use this soap for washing your clothes and your body. Invest in a sturdy travel-sized clothes line to dry your clothes on after washing. Pack one extra absorbency towel. Use this towel to help dry your clothes after washing by wrapping them up in the towel to wick away remaining moisture from the washing process.
Take pictures with your digital camera of places you visit instead of buying souvenirs. Make memories by writing them down in postcards, e-mails, blogs or journals instead of purchasing anything from souvenir stands and thus having to carry it around with you for the rest of the journey. Give the money you would have spent on souvenirs to a family that hosts you for a meal or a local church.
Travel by plane may be necessary to get to your dream destination, but walk, bus, bike or boat when ever possible. Ask locals how they get around and what they would suggest you to see before your departure. Carry a map if you are in a large city and always write down the address of the place you are staying in your native language as well as in the local language. Use this address if you get lost to get back to your accommodations.
