Losing luggage.

After a good long while on the road it's safe to say that I know out of the many things that I brought with me from home what I actually use. The truth is, really not that much. Living day to day on the road, what you need in terms of possessions to live is minimal. But the simple worldly goods you own to have a life like this is more than made richer and fuller by the countless experiences, smiles, people, landscapes, ideas... the list goes on and on. It's a good trade!
 I thought I was vigilant when I packed before I left home but I over prepared and I brought way too much stuff. What you really need for life on the road is very basic; A tent, sleeping mat, sleeping bag. Cooking equipment. One set of riding clothes, one set of day clothes. Bag of medicines, some sanitaries, some tools and spares, a torch and for my sanity, my e-reader and ipod - these inventions are amazing for a traveller wanting to save space! That's about it for what you need really. Other things can be useful but in the end they just become unnecessary bulk most of the time.
 A water filter for instance... not that heavy but very bulky for a pannier. I drink the local water anyway and it's fine. I've even drank from a lake and its been okay (looks like all those years of purposely exposing my stomach to bacteria has paid off!). A few packets of water purification tablets are a better substitute. Clothes are another thing which I think many people on trips like this take too much of. In the end whatever you wear gets dirty for most of the time so it doesn't make sense to carry around lots of dirty clothes when you can just wear the same ones. Yes, bush living has made my standards drop. Simplifying things works too; one bar of soap can be my shower gel, shampoo and washing up liquid.
 There are some things that you don't need but are really great to have. My camera, net-book, chargers, paint supplies - although I have minimised these. In the end I decided to be ruthless, go through all my things and box up everything that I don't use on a day to day basis or things I'd be fucked without and send them home. Will has been very kind and let me use the US delivery system, which means my belongings will go back to England via America!
 I think it's definitely worth it. All together I've shed 14 kg/30 lbs of weight and bulk. When I finally get my passport it's going to be like riding a new bike. Can't bloody wait!