As I’m trying to figure out what to pack for the “eternal springtime” of Quito (what does that even mean?), the biggest challenge is finding the balance between packing light and packing to live somewhere for 3 months.

I’m a light packer by nature. Okay maybe not by nature, but by the nurture of lessons learned the hard way. Between losing, misplacing, or being robbed of my fair share of things while traveling, my load has been lightened in more ways than one. Thus when traveling through Latin America and Southeast Asia, all I carried was a gray Jansport backpack. Not the massive backpacker-style packs that are the size of a golden retriever.  A regular school backpack. When I had to carry my backpack for long distances (imagine, no taxis!) I was quite the happy camper compared to my aching, sweaty companions who were struggling under the weight of half their wardrobe.

Lesson #1: Pack only what you can carry on your back while running at a full sprint to catch the last (or only) bus of the day.

I’ve seen a lot of people bring things of sentimental value with them when they travel. Their favorite necklace, favorite pair of shoes, forty favorite shirts. Big mistake. When their vintage Pumas go missing after they’ve taken them off to step inside a temple, or they find themselves Tiffany heart-less after squeezing through a large crowd, they’re devastated. It may sound pessimistic, but as I’m packing I’m asking myself whether I’d be okay if these things didn’t make it home with me.

Lesson #2: Never pack anything you would be sad to lose.  In other words, pack only what you wouldn’t miss.

Half of the fun of living in a new place is integrating yourself into your adopted country. Not only does haggling for a hand-woven shirt in a nearby market help support local enterprise, but dressing like the locals do shows that you’re willing to adapt to their culture.

As a traveler, assimilating into the culture will open doors you can’t wait to walk through, such as being invited to meet someone’s family and seeing what local life really is.  And afterward, that embroidered belt or woven poncho will evoke more treasured memories than that glow-in-the-dark shotglass you were considering.

Lesson #3: Be ready to blend.