Travel is a big gift that keeps us on receiving. We are exposed to great scenery, cultures and people. It rewards us with beautiful photographs and memories.
Crazy shopping while travelling can be a kind of “retail therapy”. But, if this is how you fill most of your time and then carry many heavy bags back home for things which you do not really need, such compulsive behaviour can imply that you are emotionally in trouble.
I used to misconceive travelling as an activity of vanity. I tried to impress my friends in other countries that I had taste, got money to spend and could be a well-dressed person. The moment that I stopped caring is when an awakening emerged from myself. The truth is that simplicity is the vainest form of sophistication.
The expressionist painter Hans Hofmann said, “The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.” The new trend of travelling is “travel light” which means to travel with a minimum load or luggage. People regard backpackers as those who travel light. There are ironically many backpacker shops in Hong Kong which try to induce the wants rather than needs of backpackers. Goods are too abundant.
Thumbs up to the wise people who can “travel light”. I used to carry 3 or more suitcases, backpacks and shopping bags abroad. I even brought towels, hair dryer, hangers, shoetrees and teddy bear with me. I have made a pinky swear that I will not do such a stupid thing again. The recent fad within the travelling culture, out of the blue, is to be minimal. We want a hotel room to look neat and tidy so that we do not have to elbow our way to the bed, especially in a tiny Japanese cubicle. When taking a trip, you should look inward for spiritual happiness and not look outward for shopping jubilation.
How to travel right?
The simple answer to take just a few lightweight, quick-drying and adaptable clothing items. Also, Iimit yourself to one pair of shoes.
A said, “Remember to limit yourself to a small suitcase or backpack, and a sensible packing list! Then, you will not take a lot of things to travel! ”
B said, “I bring old or unwanted clothes with me. After use, I leave them in the hotel room.”
C said, “Why don’t you guys ask the hotel to do laundry for you?” We laughed, “Hotels charge a lot!”
D said, “I choose the hotels which have public washing machines. This is why I usually take only 3 sets of clothes for travel.”
E smiled, “I am hardworking. I hand wash clothes in hotel bathroom sink.” I asked, “Will it take many days for clothes to dry?”
F said, “Come on! You can buy disposable briefs or knickers! Now, shops like MINISO or Mannings sell disposable cotton underwear. They are comfortable and cheap.”
G said, “In many countries like Korea and Japan, you can rent clothes and such clothing rental companies will deliver clothes speedily to your hotel! Renting clothes is greener than buying them and this is a good habit when travelling overseas!”
H said, “Technology made it possible to have ‘quick dry’ clothes which can become dry within a few hours. I always pack clothes for 2 to 3 days and can repeat them!”
Finally, Mr I said, “My way to travel light is simple. I wear a pair of jeans for the whole journey. If the weather is cold, I shall wear one to three windbreakers and they can be as warm as a coat. A windbreaker can also protect you from the wind and rain. Windbreakers can be dried within an hour after hand wash!”
The world is getting smaller but people are richer. Travelling is no longer a big deal. People travel more and more frequently for many reasons, including for vacations, to visit family and friends, for business ,and to be alone for a few days in order to escape the stresses of daily life. There is no need to create “a home away from home”. The hotel room should be like an unadorned room in a monastery!
A journey outside Hong Kong can be very simple, but people like to make it complicated. I heard friends indulgently taking 5 meals a day when travelling. I guess their stomach would be heavier than their luggage. Hunger is a bottomless pit. Life is simple and “travel light” is simply a simple truth.
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