This author-cum-traveller used only one (and the same) hand luggage to visit 91 countries!

Is packing the only thing that puts you off about travelling? It’s not like you can’t do anything about it — wait till you read to the end. It’s the story of a solo female traveller who has travelled to 91 countries with only one carry-on luggage to bank on!

And no, Jill Paider doesn’t always go for elite travel involving business class flights and high end stays. The author’s decade-long travelling had to do with putting herself out there, because only then would she be able to manifest her thoughts into photographs and stories for her book. She also feels every place is constantly changing and it calls for a more concrete way of documenting them instead of just social media — the thought that inspired her to write her only travel-related book “Carry-On Only: Confessions from 100 Countries”.

When asked why Jill chose to travel only with a carry-on, she says it’s absolutely necessary to be able to carry all your luggage by yourself especially while travelling alone—and we can’t agree more. Also, think of all the time you’ll save by not having to wait in the baggage carousels at the airports. And here’s a compilation of Jill’s suggestions on packing—

Top hacks on how to pack light while not depriving you of basic comforts:

1. Two pair of jeans, a jacket, a comfortable sneaker and a sneaker for occasions, basic medicines for jet lag and allergy, scarves, coolers and a camera—these should suffice to survive any holiday.
2. Choose the right bag. Don’t compromise on the quality as they’re more subject to wear and tear than your daily use bags.
3. Get a hard-wearing trolley and a tote. Minimalizing comes not with owning fewer things but owning things which are multifunctional.
4. Start with a master packing checklist, from medicines and cosmetics to shoes. Now cross out the items you can do without. You’ll be surprised that there are so many!
5. Be strict on yourself. Is it summer? Don’t pack that Turkish pashmina even if it’s your most favourite buy. Is it rainy over there? Well, you get the idea.
6. Pack durable, easy wash clothes that also don’t require ironing. That’ll help you wash your clothes in the hotels you stay on the go.
7. Focus on packing clothes that go with all types of layers. You can change your look easily just by switching the outer layer.
8. Always, always roll your clothes instead of folding. It’s one of those wide-known hacks that actually work.
9. Think before shopping. Remember, you will have to make space for it.
10. Unpack every now and then so that you’ll get an idea of what to lose or add for your next trip.

---

Where are you packing away to, now? Craft your next holiday, your way with Pickyourtrail!

---

Image courtesy: Jill Paider.official