T-Minus 3 Days

So I'm leaving on Saturday (almost a week late) and I'm only a couple loose ends from being completely packed up. Most of my gear is in order, I've checked off most of the items on my packing list and it's almost time to fill up my pack. So, without further ado here is my packing list for this trip.

3 T shirts
2 pairs of cut off pants
1 pairs of shorts
1 pair of board shorts
4 pairs of boxers
4 pairs of socks
1 fleece jacket
1 waterproof light shell
2 bandanas
1 visor
1 belt (doubles as a strap for tying things down)
1 pair of chacos
1 pair of Salomon trail runners
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1 silk sleeping bag liner
1 knife, 1 leatherman
1 padlock with some cable
1 frisbee/plate
1 squishable bowl and cup
some rope
1 door stop
1 universal sink plug
1 headlamp
1 pack towel
1 sewing kit
1 camping spoon and fork
1 pair of tweezers
1 compass
1 neck pouch (thanks Alyce)
1 nalgene bottle wrapped in duct tape
1 bottle of iodine for water
asst. zip ties and ziplock bags
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Toothbrush and toothpaste
shaving razors and handle
a stick of deodorant
bandaids
travel size shampoo & soap (to start me off)
1 course of Cipro
70 some odd pills of Doxycycline
a bottle of Lomatil
Some Benadryl and EmergenC
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Nikon D40 w/ 15-55mm & 55-200mm lenses
Casio Exilim EX-S600 (not pictured)
3 2Gb SD memory cards
Gorilla pod
Nintendo DS w/ an M3 DS Simply flash cart
4th Gen Ipod (not pictured)
a voltage converter
1 Gb U3 thumb drive to keep all my bookmarks, passwords, etc...
asst. cords and chargers for all this crap
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Books: The Mole People (thanks Erin and Jesse), Nikon D40 manual, Lonely Planet Thailand, journal (thanks Alyce)
1 rubber ducky keychain flash light that also quacks (thanks mom)
a bunch of "Dont Mess With Texas" stickers for trading and gifts
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Gregory Baltoro 70L backpack
a 70L REI duffel bag for the backpack
Mountainsmith Day pack (800 cu in)
Tamrac camera bag for the Nikon

Well I think I have most of the bases covered so that's it for now. I still have quite a bit to do before I'm completely ready to go but this will be my last post from the states.

I'm trying to update this thing on a weekly or at least bi-weekly basis so check back soon and feel free to leave a comment below.

So what are my plans?

It's almost 2 1/2 months from when I leave D.C. and roughly 3 until I board that plane for Thailand. It occurred to me that few people actually know what my plans are, so I'll try to give a rough explanation.

I should start out by saying that I'm really trying not to plan very much. I read something that seemed to describe exactly how I am approaching this trip...

"Preparation is not in knowing exactly where you are going but being able to get there none the less"

So, at this point, I know which countries and when but I am leaving it at that. I've been reading a lot about most of the places in the first half of the trip so I have a good idea what there is to do and can just wing it as effectively as possible.

So here is my itinerary (all of which is subject to change):
Jan. 28 - Mar. 4: Exploring Thailand with my friend Pat who is flying in a week after I am and staying for 3 weeks.
Mar. - April: the classic South East Asia circuit (Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos) although I don't know if I will go clockwise or counterclockwise yet.
May: Myanmar (Burma) if the political climate is conducive to travel.
June 1 - June 15: Japan
June 15 - August 15: Exploring China ending with travel to Tibet and Kathmandu overland.
August 15 - September 15: Turkey
September 15 - ... : Eastern Europe? not really sure at this point.

And here is a handy map I made...


View Larger Map

Financially, I think I should be in great shape by the time I leave. I'm trying to put away $15,000 before I leave my job and I'm getting real close with a couple months left to go. All the research I have done has told me that that should be enough as long as I stay on budget (which shouldn't be tough since DC was the ultimate test of that). After buy medical insurance, vaccinations and some last minute gear, I hope to leave with ~$14,000 in my bank account.

So there you have it. Expect more detailed breakdowns of the logistics and exactly what I'm packing as this trip gets nearer.

I'm planning on spending the next few weeks freaking out because this trip is actually going to happen and I probably have no idea what I'm getting myself into.