A hostel owner in Berlin told me I was packing wrong and it saved my back

I stayed at Generator Hostel in Berlin last year and the guy at the front desk saw my 50 liter pack and said I was carrying way too much. He showed me how to pack only 3 shirts and 2 pants for a 10 day trip by layering and washing in the sink. I switched to a 35 liter bag and now I don't even check luggage on flights. Has anyone else had advice from a local that made a huge difference?

3 comments

3 Comments

hollyc921mo ago

Second that sink washing trick, it feels weird at first but once you realize you can wear the same shirt 3 times without anyone noticing you never go back. Your back will thank you for ditching those extra jeans.

maryt621mo ago

You ever pack so bad that a kind stranger had to save you from yourself? Because same here. I once brought 4 pairs of jeans for a week long trip and my back hated me for months. Now I do that sink washing thing too and it sounds gross but honestly it works. I still overpack sometimes though, like I brought a portable fan to Rome in July and it was useless. But yeah that hostel guy was doing you a solid, that advice probably saved your spine.

grace_allen1mo ago

Wait, you brought a portable fan to Rome in July and thought it would help? That's hilarious, I've done similar stuff though. I totally get the sink washing thing, it sounds gross but it's such a lifesaver when you pack too much. Four pairs of jeans is a LOT, your poor back must have cried after that trip. Honestly, I think we all need a random stranger to call us out sometimes, it's the only way we learn.