Backpacking

I have learned a lot about backpacking the hard way. Not knowing many people who've done it at all much less Central America made my experience a crash-test. I am going to update this list until I finish my trip:

• take your own towel....and buy a quick dry one at that.
• buy a poncho even if its the end of the raining season
• every country wants assurances that you are leaving when you enter..so if you are just travelling around with no dates of when you are leaving make sure you at least have an internet print out of that flight you are taking home from whatever country weeks later. i bought a bus ticket i didn't need and then when i was informed the internet print out was an option, i had to pay for a $3 print out...
• every place has a place to wash clothes so don't bring enough for the whole trip...bring enough for the week...saves room in your bag which will get heavier during the trip.
• i am glad i brought my netbook.
• Get book suggestions from foreigners you meet.