The Whales of Washington - The climbing shoes, hat & yogamat

Late in the afternoon and my room is a total mess… Yep, it is that time… that time when you have to decide what you should pack for your trip. The never-ending struggle to find a balance between bringing to much stuff that you will not use and missing vital things from home. I don’t know if it is the music playing (José Gonzales) or just my pre-travel busy mind, but I am getting a bit philosophical from packing. How you pack says a lot about you as a person. Are you organized? Structured? And how well do you know yourself? If you pack a lot of things that you end up not using at all, does that mean you have no idea what you actually like to wear, do or enjoy? For years I loved to think I would draw when I am away from home. Because during normal days, I don’t really find the time. But when push comes to shove I would rather go on a hike, read a book, or just watch people walking by. So maybe that artistic part of me is not as big as I would like to think. This time I have the intention to take with me only stuff that I will really use. Not trying to live up to my self-made perfect visions or forcing myself into unrealistic plans.

Luckily there are a three things I know I will definitely use, and would not want to miss. The first is a nice warm hat, even though recently scientist published a paper busting the myth that 45% of body heat leaves through the head, it gives me a cosy feeling and that is just one of those ordinary little pleasures. The second is my yoga mat. It is said that yoga is the poetry of movement. My mind and my body are feeling better with yoga and denying myself yoga would be a bit cruel. And the final thing are my climbing shoes. Because three months without climbing is just not an option.

At the moment I see that half of my suitcase is packed with sports-stuff, that might not be in proportion with the amount of time I will spend doing sports there (stop laughing Jimmy!). Choices… not something I am particular good at. Small choices that is. The more important things I know. Like that I wanted to do a thesis involving cetaceans, even if that was ‘extremely hard to get’ ‘not something that the University does’ and ‘probably not possible’. The choice to rather take some more time instead of giving up on my dream or giving in on other people’s doubts. Only 3 days before I fly! In my stomach the butterflies are already lifted off ;)