I just did the Mt. Everest Base Camp trek and took it as a great opportunity to leave behind everything except ONE camera. It’s was great, time to interact with my family and friends and also fellow travelers on the trek. I was horrified to see someone at 4500m above sea level take out their e-book reader. I felt like he ruined the moment for everyone.

But anyways, I think it’s worth leaving all the gadgets at home at least once a year (if you travel that much). Or at least just try it once ever!

When I went to Europe for six weeks in 2005, I brought nothing electronic, not even a digital camera or a phone. It was wonderful. My then-boyfriend and I got lost a lot and probably missed some sights or whatever, but we had an amazing trip, during which no time was spent staring at a screen or worrying about staying in touch with anyone. I have the most amazing memories of stumbling upon a little town or a great restaurant with no help from a gadget.

After that trip I went to West Africa for five months and brought a cell phone, laptop, DSLR camera and an ipod. It was too much. I found that most of the time I didn’t carry my camera because it would change the way people interacted with me. I didn’t have reliable electricity or internet access so the computer was wasted space, and I couldn’t talk to my fellow tro-tro (local bus) riders if I was listening to my ipod, so I left it off most of the time.

For subsequent trips I downsized and have been really happy so far. I carry a cell phone for emergencies (used after a motorcycle accident in Indonesia and after I fell off a roof in Argentina), an ipod shuffle which I try to use only on long flights, and my grandfather’s Pentax K1000. I found that switching to film helped me really enjoy the process of photography more and also take less photos. During most of my three months in Asia and two months in South America and Antarctica, I left the house/boat/tent carrying nothing.

To be honest I feel that getting lost (like film photography) is a lost art. Just a few weeks ago I got lost in Brooklyn with a few friends and instead of enjoying an afternoon expedition, three people whipped out iphones and argued about whose map application was the most accurate. My friends spent the whole afternoon staring down at tiny screens instead of enjoying the atmosphere of each neighborhood we walked through.

It’s the same abroad. What ever happened to interacting with locals?

Eh, this could go on. I still have days here in the US when I leave my apartment and purposely forget my cell phone. Thank you for the post!

Jackie Rose

It’s that time of year…the time of year where the beach towns slow down and the summer sun can only be felt through your flikr slideshow. It’s the time of year when our tight group of long-term staff gradually spread our wings and exp…

I went to the UK a few years ago and even though I took my computer, I significantly pared down my camera gear to one digital camera. I used it to shoot video and my stills. The computer helped me to not be so homesick as I could chat with my partner and friends.

Last year I went to Spain and Italy and I took my computer, my iTouch, my camera, and my phone. I’m an avid travel blogger now and I like the ability to upload pictures and share my travels with my followers as they are happening. My friends and family also enjoy “traveling” and “visiting” new places with me. my iTouch has some great apps plus all my music and I love how I can use my music and podcasts to help me pass the time. I’ll probably leave the phone at home next time unless my mom (who gets very nervous when I travel) guilts me into taking it.

All said, I like my gadgets and I’ll probably continue to pack them and schlep them along with me, not just for me, but for everyone who always travels along with me.

Nice post!

I will be taking a laptop, an iphone, a dslr, and a compact camera on my travels. I don’t have a problem with that. But I know that carrying all that weight is a bit of a pain considering how much I will actually use all the gear (not often).

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts.

But my personal situation means I have to try to be contactable at all times, and then I got an iPhone … and next big trip I take I will be taking my laptop with me to update my blog! So while part of me wants to be as lightweight, gadget free and disconnected as a traveller in the past, the reality is I am going to be as wired as every other tech-head out there on the road. And it is not worse, just different.