We spent our first night together in Peru, at the amazing and newly opened Miraflores Home Hostel. The hosts, brothers Andrés and Ernesto, welcomed us warmly with beautiful, homemade cupcakes and took us up to our rooms. This hostel is beautiful (and if you're in Lima, I highly recommend it) and it's a hostel...9 of us sharing 2 toilets and 2 showers in a fairly small space. Good thing I like my fellow travelers!
All of us did a really good job of packing lightly for our 10 day trip. But what I did find fascinating was what everyone prioritized bringing. I don't usually have difficulty packing but for some reason, this time around I really didn't know what I should bring so I had been asking around.
Even so I was surprised that first night as people opened their bags.
Patterson brought his CPAP machine, which I am grateful for because he'll get sleep, not be grouchy and not snore - essentially a gift for everyone.
Jen brought 20 pairs of hoop earrings, hope she has time to wear them all!
Cheyenne made sure to being a dress (in case we go somewhere fancy?!) but she also came through with the 8 sided plug - key in the hostel life.
Marcy brought a bag of medication. Need After Bite? What about Pepto? Headache stuff? How about toilet seat covers? Marcy's got it! And a sleep cocoon (google it, the camping kind).
Flo went old school with the big Polaroid insta-camera.
Jamie brought a card game called The Game (I hope we get to play it)... and some pineapple lumps and New Zealand chocolate to share. The snacks made her a bit popular.
Marisa brought the basics but she did NOT bring her engagement ring - because she didn't want to lose it. That's a smart travel tip - sometimes you leave back the most important stuff. Oh, she also brought a TSA lock and then lost the key and we had to get hella foster smart and took turns sorting out how to pick her lock. (Ultimately we ended up taking off the zipper pull and not the lock at all - it was a funny group moment.)
But Miguel really blew me away with the power strip and the box of dominoes!
Ironically, I may have brought the least amount of stuff, (tho I did include my very cool handmade million dollar scarf --the one I knitted from llama wool but never have a reason to wear because it is really heavy and warm --not needed for my new location in Los Angeles!)
Everyone has a reason for why they brought what they brought...to be more comfortable, to be prepared, to bond with their fellow travelers. Over the next few days, as we keep traveling together and have those conversations, I get the opportunity to learn more about what helps to make people empowered and feel good. And I will benefit from borrowing their stuff too!
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