Not your average backpacker

So. Am nearly finished with the re-packing of my backpack. Even with the absence of my laptop (sorry Edith) on this part of the journey, my bags are lighter than they were before. However, the main backpack is still quite full. This: a problem. I've already mentioned that I intend to shop while in Europe. While I know that some clothes will wear out (this happened to four pairs of pants in Argentina), I know I need room for additions -- and what about when the weather finally warms up and I'm not wearing a sweater??

So. Today. I will try and lighten my backpack. If for no other reason than I will regularly be hiking it up stairs and such...those wheels are only good for so long.

Which brings me to: I do not pack like the average backpacker. I have more than one nice outfit, I have more than five pairs of underwear, I have clothes I am not immediately wearing [for reasons other than weather], I have heels. I do not have fleece (though in reality, I own one), I do not have hiking shoes, I do not have khaki or cargo pants.

I just need a little variety in clothing. And yes, I know that I can buy as I go. However, while I intend on shopping in Europe (how can I *not*??), I do need to conserve money. I do want to return to Argentina in August (I know, it's foolish -- it'll be winter there...), and to do that I need money and I need to properly fit a certain skirt I have. We all make deals with ourselves, and returning to Argentina means wearing this skirt.

But anyway. I do not pack this way because I am an unexperienced traveller. I have travelled several times and am, in reality, a light packer. As in, I use everything I pack -- 98% of the time. I know it is a luxury to be able to swap out clothes at this point of a long trip, and I relish this luxury. There are just certain options that I wish to remain open, and being able to wear more than four outfits is one of them. Of course, I know that some of the clothes in my bag now will not make it back to the US. Clothes die, clothes are shed, clothes are lost by laundry services. All three of these things occurred in Argentina.

Also: there are some people would rather spend all their time marvelling at architecture, going on nature daytrips, going hiking. I am not one of these people. While I enjoy architecture, I am not Nature Girl. Occasional nature daytrips are interesting and quite enjoyable for me (such as all the excursions in Patagonia). However, I am happier just walking through a city, checking out the museums, checking out the open-air markets, and well, scouting out affordable shopping. I would rather take a tram and sit in a park on the top of the hill, and read a book, than rush to see eight sights of a city in one day. I believe in leisurely travel. I believe in trying to get a feel for a city. This doesn't always mean that I spend lots of time in a city, as there are cities in Europe that I will spend much less than a week in. However, my schedule is such that if I want to stay longer somewhere, I can. I do not "do" cities or locations, and I cringe when I hear someone (especially anyone I know) use that term.

So, dear reader, while I have a backpack, I'm not quite a backpacker. The bag does not define this traveller.