#2615 memories of Costa Rica: I pack too much stuff

October is said to be the rainiest of the rainy months during Costa Rica's green season. Most travel blogs I read recommended not planning a visit to visit the country in October. Lizzie and I made our peace with knowing we would be wet all the time and packed lots and lots of rain gear. All of our clothes were quick-dry materials. We had waterproof rain jackets, hats, and little travel umbrellas. We had long pants because rain and forest means bugs, so we wanted to be protected from bites, too. Bug protection also included bracelets, bug spray for me, and balm for Lizzie. 

Our reality was quite different from our expectations. We were NOT wet all the time from rain. We did get sweaty because it was humid. If I were to go back, I'd take fewer long pants. I was very glad to have them the two times I went into the rainforest. The other times we were out and about, I could have worn shorts and been comfortable with my bug spray. I used my rain jacket one time, walking from the hotel room to the car. By the time we got to the car, the rain had stopped, so I ended up just carrying my jacket. I used my hat nearly every day, not so much for rain protection as for sun protection.  I used the umbrella once. 

What I learned about myself, or re-learned about myself, is that I pack a lot of stuff, mostly items that I call "detritus'. Do you know what I mean? It's the little stuff from toiletries to mini-binoculars to pens and books, and just stuff! It's necessary, but there's just so much of it! All of it gets used and is necessary, but the detritus was a packing dilemma for me. 

My most favorite thing I took was a waterproof string bag that I bought on Amazon for less than $15. I took that bag out every day, used it on every tour, and for toting our stuff to the pool, too.

On the coffee tour while squeezing sugar cane

While gazing at La Fortuna waterfall

On the hanging bridges tour

Going to find sloths

I don't have a picture of the bag at the pool, so you'll just have to trust me on this one. 

Another thing to consider when packing is souvenir purchases. I didn't buy many bulky things, but I did come back with more stuff than I took. I hope that in the future, I will remember that lesson. As a general rule, I can almost always pack less stuff than I do. I usually stay at places that have a laundry service; I don't know why I don't take advantage of that fact and pack less clothing.  Even when I go visit my mom and sister, I tend to overpack. Gotta learn to pare it down and simplify. It's a constant learning process.