OK, I’m sure you’ve seen the travel/lifestyle/fashion/men’s/women’s (pick one) magazine article about how to pack a suitcase for a three-month trip with ease, style, and flair. The author usually suggests only taking one pair of shoes, one pair of pants, and one shirt, and you’ll still look fresh and fantastic at all times. Your unwrinkled, unstained, not covered in dog hair outfit will take you from a business meeting to a night on the town, and you’ll look awesome all day and for the next 92 days of your trip. Really? How in the heck is that even possible? If I tried it, I’d look like the love child of Minnie Pearl and Lady Gaga.
Just a few items for a one week trip.
My other favorite story, usually part of the pack it “light” article is how to only take something the size of a one-quart plastic bag as your luggage? Wow? What the French toast? Do people really do that? Is that even an option when you aren’t staying in a Romanian youth hostel?
I freely admit I’m a horrible packer. I bring way too many things on a trip, whether we’re going for a weekend or a week. I tend to throw too much of one thing in the suitcase, like 10 shirts for a four-day trip. What? I’m not changing twice a day, but my reasoning is I might spill something on the shirt…or shirts. And, I can’t walk around with a giant coffee stain on the front of my shirt.
Those of you that have travelled with me, know that my suitcase is usually groaning at the zipper, soon to burst like a water balloon, scattering socks, shoes, and hair care products across a three-county area. I’ve got a packing problem.
With another trip coming up this week, I’m looking for help. Anyone have any great suggestions? Please let me know.
While we’re on the subject of packing, here are some tips from the pros:
1. www.tsa.gov/travelers/customer/claims/pack.shtm
2. www.fodors.com/news/story_1901.html
3. wedding.theknot.com/honeymoons/honeymoon-planning/articles/16-tips-for-savvy-honeymoon-packing.aspx (good tips even if you’re not heading out on a honeymoon—rumor has it that Will and Kate checked out this site).
