Packing Light

First I'm heading to Fuerteventura, one of the Canary Islands, for roughly 3 weeks. I've done a slightly shorter trip than this on hand-luggage before, so when I realised Easyjet would charge a fortune for other baggage I wasn't all that fussed. Plus it's quite liberating to go with the bare minimum. Although I feel quite a lot still fits in:

 Roughly anti-clockwise from bottom left:

• One pair of trainers for work
• White scarf 
• Work trousers
• Shorts
• Leggings should it become cold, or on flight
• Two tops, may become three as I've got a bamboo fabric one that dries really quickly
• Shorts and top for pyjamas
• 5 knickers, I will wash them! Alternating bra and bikini top. 
• One jumper
• One dress
• Two shirts to keep the sun off
• Swimming costume
• Microfibre towel
• Small day bag for water and camera
• One pair of flipflops
• Small deodorant, shower gel, shampoo and toothpaste (toothbrush will be here too!)
• Hairbrush so I don't come back with dreds. 
• Headtorch, 28 grams. That's right, 28 grams.
• Insect repellent I may or may not need
• Various pills
• Sunglasses
• Phone charger, adaptor 
• Ear plugs
• Sleeping bag liner
• Phone, with headphones for music
• Spanish dictionary
• Book to read, currently Cold Mountain
• Bags of sweets for the niños
• TinTin and Charlie and Lola as presents for the kids but also to help a little with English
• Camera (currently not in picture!) 
• Passport and euros
• Notebook/sketchbook + pen
• Buying sun-cream after security

I've read quite a lot on packing light in the past, so thought I'd contribute with what I think I need. I think this packing list would be just as suitable for backpacking as staying in one place. I can see a few differences between this and a longer trip, mostly that it's got to be handluggage. But there is not much I would change for Ecuador, other than climate meaning I'll need more layers i.e. a decent windproof/rainproof jacket and that I may buy more there as I'll be in the country a while. And more English snacks in case I get ill. (It makes such a difference to have normal crackers to recover from a tummy bug!)

I'm going to work with a family I found with the help of www.helpexchange.net, I can really recommend it. Teaching the children English and helping in the two cabins they have in the hills, as well as orchard (which I think may be figs, yum!).

Hasta pronto.