Baby's First Backpacking Trip

A classic What's in my Backpack list and other thoughts on my spine.

My mind and my heart have been so wrapped up in the Los Angeles wildfires. If you are looking for assistance or volunteer opportunities, Mutual Aid Los Angeles Network has an active Google doc with resources. 

Since quitting my job in October, I’ve gone through a variety of phases: domestic travel with lifelong friends, moving out of LA, and time with my parents in Asia. But by the time you are reading this, I’ll be on my next leg of adventuring - the backpacking era! From now until April, I’ll be bopping around Southeast Asia and Oceania, starting with Vietnam. 

I am not doing the typical travel style that most people do for this region. For one, I have a home base in Manila that I plan to come back to between specific destinations. I am also an avid one bag traveller (while somehow still being an overpacker), but this is my first time only using an actual backpack! If it doesn’t go well, I am fully prepared to bail and switch back to my trusty Monos carry on. This will also be my first time truly budget traveling - I’d usually classify myself as midrange. So almost all of this leg (hostels, land borders, night train, etc) is new to me. Yes, I’m nervous. But yes, I’m so so so excited.

“You look like a camel” - my dad

There was a stretch of time before leaving where I struggled with the decision - a salty attitude over the fact that I’m doing this at thirty years old. Why didn’t I do this at 18 or 22? When my standards were lower, when I wasn’t so prickly, when my wrist didn’t ache on my surgery line. The usual refrain of a life well lived only started to resound when I explored alone, my itinerary filled with things I know I love. No temptations of cheap clothing or hard lessons to avoid loneliness. This trip had to happen now - when I know myself so deeply.

Personally, I love reading packing lists, so I had the urge to write mine up. I tried to go as light as possible, leaving a little bit of room in my bags for any purchases.

Other things to note:

• This packing list is for warm, humid climates. 

• I am a paranoid survivalist, which explains some of the supplies. 

• Things I linked/named are not ads, only things I really love. I just like sharing since I’ve overly researched most items! I am uninterested in selling you anything LOL 

• I originally thought I would do cute photos of everything but yeah scratch that, sorry!

The Main Gear

Backpack - A North Face dupe that I got from Greenhills, the counterfeit market in Manila. I had no intention of investing in an expensive one since I honestly don’t plan on doing this again! If you’re looking for a backpack, I’d recommend one that opens all the way wide, has a VERY sturdy zipper, and has straps that feel supportive. (Mine has… none of those.)

Daypack - my 11 year old Patagonia 22L that has been with me everywhere. It’s been discontinued but this would be a similar alternative. It’s been so sweaty on my back, but I’d rather be over prepared on my person than not at all.

Fanny pack - REI brand, this was the last thing I bought before I left the states and my favorite purchase by far. I have a blue hat that matches and love pairing them up!

The only cubes in my main backpack

Clothes

• 3 pairs of shorts (1 denim - immediate regret go for loose bottoms, 1 workout, 1 tan stolen from Wi Spa) 

• 4 pairs of light weight pants (1 hiking, 1 black, 1 navy, 1 brown) 

• 1 button down shirt 

• 1 dress 

• 2 Girlfriend Collective Dylan sports bras (can work as tops) 

• 5 shirts 

• 2 pairs of PJs (I initially only brought one and bought another in HCMC)

• 1 sweatshirt (I run cold always) 

• 1 pair of On sneakers (similar, I have the 3 and love them)

• 1 pair of Teva Hurricane XLT2 sandals (get black, basil/maple gets dirty easily - also every foreigner has these LOL)

• 1 pair of shower flip flops 

• 2 swimsuits 

• 2 baseball hats 

• Socks, underwear, bras

Toiletries - all in one hanging bag, separated into smaller baggies by categories that make sense to me  

• Bag 1 - SPF moisturizer, toothbrush, toothpaste, face wash, floss, lotion, retainer, night cream

• Bag 2 - Shampoo, conditioner, second face wash, razor, body soap 

• Bag 3 - Nasal spray, hydrocortisone cream, mosquito lotion, sunscreen

• Misc - Q-tips, Carmex, nail clipper set, deodorant, Tylenol, Advil, Loperamide, detergent pack, shower cap, pads, hair ties, tissue packs, hair brush

Other items

• Folder with visas, tickets, confirmations, etc

• Passport, wallet, emergency USD, and copies of all important info 

• Tech: Kindle, laptop, Beats earbuds (similar model), Nimble portable charger, universal charger, all cords, wrist strap for phone

• Eye mask, ear plugs, Sleepy Ride (I’m short!)

• Quick dry towel, umbrella, plastic poncho, bag for dirty clothes

• Locks, including one with a built in tracker

And that’s it! I’m planning to move somewhat slowly so I get time to rest, write, savor, and learn. 

Meanwhile IRL…

So (obviously) I am on the road, but have pressed forward with DSTM on the assumption that my internet may be crappy. I already have a batch of posts scheduled, but if this section is not updated with what I’m doing, it’s because I wasn’t able to add onto it for the week. If you are someone trying to contact me, try my phone number on WhatsApp or my Instagram - @yzzygonzalez :) 

BGC Street Art - 2019 vs 2025

I spent my last weekend in Manila in the neighborhood of BGC with a friend of my sister-in-law! We had a wonderful run of delicious food at Eesome Coffee and Kodawari, and drinks at an amazing spot Uma Nota. Highly recommend all if you are in the city and feel like splurging! 

But I honestly spent most of the week inside, enjoying my unregulated TikTok time, and finishing Conclave by Robert Harris (haven’t done a movie to book reverse read in awhile, what a great adaptation).

Now, I am in Ho Chi Minh City! My dad is with me, but we will split up shortly since he has no interest in fulfilling my Amazing Race fantasy. I love writing little travel stories/guides so you’ll hear more later, but I am not sure how to do it on my newsletter just yet. Do I send them out whenever I finish, as normal? Or would that be annoying to any readers that aren’t travelers? Should I have a separate landing page? What are some useful things that you’d like to read? Let me know, you know I love to chat :)

Written to: silver spoon demo by Erin LeCount
Category: Schemes