Off A Cliff

I can honestly say that never in my life has packing for a journey represented such an undertaking as packing for this pilgrimage does. Complicating the process, of course, is the fact that I will not only be in the U.S. part of the time, but expect to cross numerous borders — with their accompanying hassles — before this is done. A second consideration is the possibility that I could lose my car before the journey is through. Not only is my vehicle old and subject to break down but — with the condition of roads being what they are — accidents are the major cause of death among travelers “south of the border.” And, because I am traveling alone in unfamiliar lands, weak on language skills to boot, it seems wise to prepare for any situation. Should my car fail where towns are few and far between, I intend to have all that I need to backpack out. If that occurs, however, my disability will be an issue. Generally, I consider five pounds a lot to carry on my back so, if I am to carry survival equipment, it has to be the most ultra-light, best quality things I can find, which equals “expensive.” Also, since I will be mostly out of doors for the next year or two, I’m placing a higher premium on quality attire for all kinds of weather, hence investing in high-tech clothes in which I would normally not indulge. Thus I find myself, for the first time in my entire life, actually spending a lot of money on preparations whereas, in the past, a couple of sweat pants — or pairs of shorts a tee — and my toothbrush would do. 🙂

So what exactly does a girl pack to be ready for anything? A lot! And yet not. It looks like more than it is actually, as some of it (like passport and visa) is preparatory in nature. But, still, for a light traveler like me, this list looks humongous! So, for all you folks out there who are curious about weird things like how to pack for a multinational journey, or may have something to donate, here’s the whole dang shebang. (The things I’ve already acquired have been crossed out.)

The Pilgrim’s Ultimate Packing List

1. Backpack – must have hip support to take weight off my back and outside compartments I can access without opening it. (Sz. 15″)
2. Day Pack – for wandering around with water, journal, camera, ID, etc.
3. Hydration system & H2O bottles — of some sort or nice canteen.
4. Lightweight tent
   
5. Sleeping bag and silk liner sheet — very light; good for warm weather, nothing  more
6. Sleeping pad — for protection from cold ground and some cushion
7. Swiss Army or other knife — with scissors and multiple functions
8. Collapsible trekking pole(s) – (Recommended for warding off dogs and unwelcome suitors — Right, like I’ll ever afford these! LOL Will probably settle for bamboo walking stick.)

Travel Documents

• Passport
• Plane or train tickets and passes
• Health insurance card
• International Travel Visas (if required)
• Extra photos for visas along the way
• Money, travelers checks, credit cards
• Certificate for international travel vaccinations, if required
• Guidebooks for Mexico, Central America, South America, & Peru
• Phrase book for Spanish
• Maps of Mexico, Central America, South America, including separate map for Peru, Ecuador and Brazil.
• International driver’s license
• Emergency phone numbers, including embassy contacts in each country, and next of kin contacts (I am creating a notebook with info. for every country)
• Photocopies and duplicates of all important papers
• Travel money belt
• Phone card
• First Aid supplies

Clothes

• 4 pair quick-drying underwear
• 2 breathable sports bras
• Bathing suit
• Wrinkle-free washable pants/trousers (with a zipper to turn them into shorts) and preferably with plenty of pockets)
• 1 or 2 lightweight pairs pants that to be used for either casual or nicer
• Wrinkle-free washable skirt, to blend in with locals (Macabi skirts that turn into pants – I have yet to try one but they sound great)
• 1-2  Coolmax or other breathable T-shirts
• 2 wrinkle-free washable blouses (one short and one long sleeves. Microfiber is great!)
• 1 long-sleeved UVP50 shirt
• 1 sun-protecting hat
• 4 pair socks (special hiking socks, not cotton! 1 pair should be heavy)
• 1 pair Teva type sandals (for beach, town and shower)
• 1 pair very cushioned hiking boots
• 1 pair very cushioned walking shoes
• Sarong
• Photographer’s vest with pockets
• Lightweight fleece jacket
• Large plastic poncho
• Headband or bandanna
• Thermal underwear

Personal items

• Reading book
• Nail clippers
• Dettol soap (for places with poor sanitation)
• Small bottle of antibacterial soap
• Moisturizing cream or lotion
• Comb
• Toothpaste, toothbrush
• Dental floss (you can slice soft food with it, sew with it, use it to lock things and many other uses)
• Viscose or microfiber travel towel
• Lip balm
• Hair clips, barrettes, and/or stretchy bands
• A few tampons or hygienic pads (kindling to start emergency fire)
• Organic shampoo and conditioner
• Inflatable sleeping pillow (for camping)
• Neck pillow (for driving)
• Eye mask and ear plugs (for loud nights in backpack hostels)
• Eyeglasses
• Sunscreen

A Bit of Everything

• Ziplock bags
• Water purifier/filter
• Whistle
• Bungie cord and hooks
• 3 meters of paracord
• 2 carabiners (one small, one large)
• 2 safety pins
• Small mirror (can also be used to attract attention)
• Mini-sewing kit (with needle large enough to thread through dental floss)
• Rubber bands
• Lightweight mosquito net
• Small plastic magnifying glass or magnifying plastic sheet (credit card size)
• Mosquito repellent (slow release type for longer protection)
• Flashlight and headlamp (headlamp is particularly useful when walking outside to go to the bathroom at night or fixing a flat)
• Deck of cards for border crossings
• Tin mug (prefer lightweight titanium but not in budget. Haaa!)
• Small organic candles, preferable in tins (for ceremony and for bug-repellant
• Sheet of tin or aluminum foil, folded
• Waterproof matches/fire steel/lighter
• Roll of densely packed toilet paper (or a small pack of tissues)
• Space or emergency blanket
• Universal sink plug
• Compass
• A length of duct/duck tape (rolled up tightly)
• Eating utensils: 2 sporks will work, titanium plate or bowl

Technical Stuff

• Plug adapter
• Power converter for lighter plug in car
• Pens
• GSM cell phone (for south of the border)
• 2 USB flash drives (to keep copies of important papers and journal)
• Magic marker
• Travel journal or notebook
• Glue stick (to stick cards and other interesting things into your journal or notebook)
• Digital camera and spare batteries
• AA/AAA battery charger (my nearly new one doesn’t seem to be working right)
• Spare memory cards (want an 8GB for camera)
• MP3 player – for occasional music and also dictating experiences

Optional

• Plug adapter
• Lightweight computer

Medicine Kit

• Antibiotic cream
• Band-aids of different sizes
• Immodium A-D
• Gauze wrap
• Ankle/wrist wrap
• Liquid bandage

Believe it or not, that’s it! Like I said, “a lot, but not.” If I’ve missed something important you want to add from your own experience, or if you have any questions, please feel free to comment. I look forward to hearing from ya!

“…Warriors go about the process of destructuring the ego harmoniously. Their normality disappears at the same time their energy, control, and sobriety are increasing.” V. Sanchez

I don’t think I’ve ever been normal. What’s held me back and tripped me up most of my life is that I’ve tried so desperately to BE normal. I could have done so much more, been so much more had I not so coveted normality, wanting so deeply to fit in and be loved. I was taught by psychology that this was normal, that even monkeys will cling to the mannequin that’s soft and cuddly, preferring it even over the one that offers milk. And so the brainwashing began…

I spent many, many years studying everything I could find in this field. I delved deep, discovering and exploring branches as diverse as Behavioralism, somatic psychology, poetry therapy and Sufi psychology. I studied process-oriented psychology, Buddhist psychology, ecopsychology, and movement therapy. Art therapy, drama therapy…the list goes on and on.

I probably have as good a handle on psychotherapy and transpersonal psychology as most anyone out there¹, in spite of the fact that I sabotaged myself repeatedly by never conforming to licensure. But it wasn’t until I came upon the Toltec path that I learned there was an entirely different way of thinking and being in the world: a way that is obsessed, not with the ego, but with the destructuring of it. A way that cares not about personal history but the erasing of it. In Toltequity, I found a path of ruthlessness: a deeply grounding, aware way of being that neither coddled the fragile so-called “self,” which is really the illusory ego, nor encouraged the description of reality we are taught to cling to so tenaciously. In Toltequity, I found a path where the real mystery of the Self, the real magic of the world, is open to those with the courage, discipline, and fortitude to find it. And so it is that I became a Toltec.

I have continued to study many things over the years, developed other skills as a shaman and lightworker, but nothing has ever come close to being as revolutionary to me as the way of the Warrior. Hence, in spite of becoming a lightworker and holder of the Inca lineage, I remain always a Toltec at heart. And so it is that, whenever I find myself falling out of balance — feeling ensnared by my description of the world, my personal history, and my identification with “I” – I return to my Toltec “roots.” Now is one of those times. I will write more (hopefully) later about the challenges and shifts occurring in preparation for this pilgrimage. For now, I include this background in my travel journal for this reason: I go as a Warrior. To succeed, and to do so with joy and lightness, I must do so with energy, control, and sobriety. The “I” of the past must be vanquished. It cannot handle this challenge. Only the Warrior I am and am becoming can manage this feat.

Today, I release the need to be normal. Today, I surrender my perceived or imagined need to be understood, loved or accepted. Today I choose to walk the path of the Warrior, choosing instead to create new ways of being; flexible and Free.

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1. I say this, not with any ego attachment, but through the freedom to acknowledge matter-of-factly the substantial experiential and knowledge base I have managed to acquire. As I progress toward and within elder status, I deem it as good and correct to assess and understand what gifts and skills I hold for the community. Thank you Spirit. Ho.