Flashpacking through Thailand

Description

Diana and Gary Van Middlesworth spent six weeks traveling through Thailand with only a backpack and carry-on bag, without hotel reservations and only using public transportation. Join them at the Jesup Memorial Library on Friday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. as they talk about this type of traveling, called flashpacking, and their trip through Thailand.
 
The Van Middlesworths have traveled extensively with just a backpack bringing along only the essentials. They have been to almost every state in the US, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Panama, Mexico, France, Spain, Cambodia and Thailand. They do extensive research before each trip and then plan from there allowing for flexibility. Diana says they only bring clothing are practical and comfortable and research the customs in each country. In Thailand, to visit temples you must wear pants that cover your knees and shirts that cover your elbows. Because of this, they each brought two pairs of long pants, two t-shirts and two three-quarter length sleeve shirts, along with a few other pieces of clothing. They also make sure that the clothing can be used in different circumstances and can be dressed up and down. She brings along laundry soap in a small bottle so she can wash out the items each night. In addition to clothes, they each only brought a small toiletry bag, with all items under three ounces, a cell phone, which they used as a camera as well, and a Kindle preloaded with books. If they needed something they did not have, like a phone to call home, they purchased it in Thailand.
 
They will have on hand Massaman curry for attendees to get a taste of some of the things they ate in Vietnam. They will also have a list of items they bring with them on their trip.
 
For more information on this talk, contact the Jesup at 207-288-4245.