It depends on who you ask…
There’s a trip in my future. Though not a travel newbie, I’m always looking for ways to improve my experience, especially in packing. For this post, I have assembled a team of experts to help alleviate my suitcase insecurity. Here’s what they have to say:
Expert #1
RS is widely known for his travel books and videos. In the videos, we see RS sprinting all around Europe with a carry-on sized backpack. With this slung across his shoulders, there is no need to check luggage, and he nimbly hops on and off planes, busses, trains and taxis. In one episode, he dumped the contents on the bed in his hotel room and showed the audience what he packs: 2 pairs of slacks (jeans and a lighter khaki pair…. one he wears and one he packs) 3 shirts, a light sweater, a rain jacket, socks and underwear, and a small bag of toiletries. He wears his only pair of shoes. He describes methods for washing your clothes in the hotel room, including using a 2-gallon zip-lock bag and a squirt of laundry detergent or the hotel shampoo to create a mini washing machine. That explains how he gets by on such a limited wardrobe. I like the idea of traveling light and picutured myself squishing socks and undies around in a sudsy ziplock bag in the hotel bathroom, rinsing, then hanging them on the towel racks and shower curtain rod. Hmmm…
Inspired by RS, I spread my proposed travel wardrobe out on my bed. At last count I had 9 tops (because you need sleeveless, short sleeves, long sleeves) 4 pairs of slacks (yoga pants for the plane, joggers, cropped pants in black and khaki) a sweater, a jacket, an umbrella, socks and underwear, 3 small clear bags of toiletries ( 3 oz. or less) a pair of sandals. a swimsuit, and a packable sun hat. Sorry RS. It will not fit in a backpack. I need some further advice.
Expert #2
My friend EB and I were having lunch the other day. She prefers a minimalistic approach to packing. When I described my wardrobe she shook her head. “Just bring a couple of pairs of black pants and various tops. Don’t check your bag. Carry everything with you and you won’t have to worry about lost luggage.” I do seem to have collected a black-pants wardrobe and I have various tops. This could work, but…
Expert #3
Contrary to EB, my friend KA hates to wear black and doesn’t like to carry her bags on because she has difficulty putting them in the overhead bin. She advises to “be sure to save room in your luggage for things you might want to bring back with you, like wine or a paella pan.” When I raised my eybrows she explained that her husband is a chef and found the preferct pan on one of their trips abroad. I prefer my souvenirs on the smaller side, but you never know what oversized treasures and libations await.
Expert#4
Daughter KH thinks I should prepare myself for travel in a post-pandemic world. “Bring a mini-pharmacy with you,” she suggests, so I ran out and bought some things. However, in his travel tips video, RS advises against using valuable space for these items. “You can find places to buy OTC pharmaceuticals–just not the brands you are used to,” he says as he holds up something that looks like a bottle of aspirin, or is it Rolaids, or Pepto, or who knows what it is???
Expert #5
You met my granddaughter LV in a previous post when we took her on a cross-country National Park trip this summer. http://seamslikeastory.com/travel-tips-from-a-ten-year-old/ LV is a savvy traveler. Her packing advice is to “make outfits, including shorts, tee shirts, socks and underwear, and roll them up into little bundles. If you are in a hurry in the morning, just grab a bundle and you are good to go. Also, glitter and cheetah prints are always in style and go with anything.” I don’t currently own any glittery clothing, but I do have a touch of Cheetah print on my walking shoes. LV is sure to approve.
In conclusion
As the trip nears, it’s time to make some decisions. My friend and travel buddy LL has one last suggestion. “Lets look at our pictures and make sure we are not taking the same things we wore on previous trips.” She has a point. RS may be a world renowned travel expert, but he could use an update to the jeans-and-shirt uniform he wears on each episode.
In the end, I’ll take some advice from each of my experts. I’ll narrow down my wardrobe so that it fits into my roller-bag carry- on, then I’ll zip it up and forget about it. Mainly I just want to be comfortable and have fun!
Happy packing ! Ciao!
Threads of Thought
What packing advice would you give me?
(Fellow sewists may be interested to know that several pieces of my travel wardrobe are me-made. Hopefully the seams will hold up as long as I do.)http://seamslikeastory.com/15-piece-summer-capsule-wardrobe/
So fun! Enjoy your trip!!
Thanks Linda!
I loved hearing from your Experts, all great ideas. I relate most to your granddaughter’s idea of bundling. Me? I roll every piece of garment and it’s amazing how much you can fit into a small carry-on bag for traveling six months around the world. Really!
Diane, Next time I’m going to consult with you, my world traveler friend!
Packing is a nightmare when I do it too early. As the day of travel gets closer, I throw in just one more thing, and then another. After too many days, I forgot what I packed and throw in more. Then I unpack everything and start again. In reality, I ought to just the day before and be done with it. Perhaps next time…
Ha ha! Sounds like me. Even after all of my planning, I still had too much of the wrong things.