What to Pack while Traveling

I am packing for my journey to Taiwan and Thailand. Packing is always nerve racking. What should I bring? Am I bringing too much stuff? Am I really going to need that? Is this all going to fit into my backpack?
As I travel more I get a better feel for what to bring and what not to bring. In my final days before my trip I usually whittle away at the stuff in my bag until I feel that it is acceptable to carry on my shoulders.
Here’s what is in my bag:
Clothing. Clothing is a hard one for me. I am a female. I like to look nice and or pretty. This is hard when traveling. Guys can wear any old thing and get away with it. Girls, not so much.
3 t-shirts
2 tank tops
1 long sleeve nice button down shirt
1 long sleeved “warm,” but light shirt
1 small little silk number to wear if I go out
2 pairs of pants
1 pair of Thai pants (for pajamas/ comfy pants)
1 short skirt and 1 long skirt
2 pairs of socks
5 pairs of underwear
1 scarf
1 sarong

This is more clothing than I normally bring, but this is what circumstances call for. I usually travel with less shirts and only 1 skirt. However, I will be going to school and visiting mosques and temples. This calls for a specific dress code. I can’t look like a vagabond. Also, while visiting mosques and temples I will need a long sleeved shirt to cover my arms and a long skirt to cover my legs. The scarf is good for cold weather and it can be added to outfits to look more funky/ sexy. The sarong is an absolute must. It has so many everyday uses that it becomes an essential part of my travel gear. I can use it as a towel, skirt, cover myself with it, use it on the beach, use it as a blanket, use it as a sheet, etc. I have a small water-proof, air tight bag which I shoved all of this into and scrunched down to make a small sort of owl pellet about 6 x 10 x 4 inches.

Shoes:
Shoes are also a hard one to decide on. Again, a girl can’t wear sneakers all the time. You need sturdy shoes to walk around in, but you also need shoes in case you have to dress up. But the dressy shoes have to be comfortable and casual enough to also wear them in other situation.
1 pair of sneakers
1 pair of cloth mary janes
1 pair of flip flops

The cloth mary janes can be squished down so they don’t take up much space. They are also really, really comfortable so I can walk around in them. The flip flops are good for communal showers, a sandal option, and they are comfortable to just throw on. The sneakers will probably be on my feet any time I am carrying my bag and are good for walking, hiking, bad weather conditions, etc.

Books:
Because I am in school I have to bring a ton of books with me. I am not too happy about this because it constitutes the majority of the weight in my pack. I have 6 books for school, Chinese/ English dictionary and 1 paperback for pleasure reading.

Miscellaneous/ Other Travel Necessities:
Laptop computer (I would like to get a smaller one, maybe an ASUS)
Camera (and camera attachment cords and batteries)
Toiletries: toothbrush, tooth paste, shampoo, soap, hair things, sunscreen, etc.
Water Filter (This really comes in handy in places where you can’t drink the water.)
Compass (So I know which way I am going on a map, and it has a compact mirror for the girls)
Journal (to write my thoughts, absolutely essential on any journey)
1 small backpack (To put my computer in and carry it in front when my other bag is on my back, or to use as a day pack. I suggest the smaller cloth ones, such as the basic jan sport model, so that it can be folded up and put into my bigger bag if necessary)
1 big cloth purse to carry all my junk in (Again, get something that is a light weight material that can be folded up small and stuffed in the big bag)
Small sewing kit: Needle, thread, scissors (This is important for repairs and scissors always come in handy)
Flashlight (Because electricity doesn’t always work everywhere you go)
Electrical Currency converter (So I can plug electronics in)
1 Swiss army knife (with bottle opener and corkscrew)
Address book (to write postcards!)
Pocket sized first aid kit with I. B. Profen
2 smalls locks to put on my backpacks to thwart robberies

It may seem like a lot, but compared to what I have seen other people traveling with, it isn’t too much. I have tried to strip my bag down to only the bare necessities. This all fits comfortably into my Kelty Red Wing 2500 with room to spare for gifts and souvenirs. This bag is small for a rucksack and incredibly comfortable.Only the necessities are necessary. A traveler must remember that wherever they are going other people are living there too. If you need anything that you didn’t bring or didn’t want to carry it will probably be readily available almost anywhere in the world.