I will admit, I have been guilty of some of the most serious of travel faux paus over the years and numerous journeys and am proud to say I do actually LEARN from most of my mistakes. Each successive journey becomes the true test of my previous lessons learned. I hope this trip will prove I have graduated to a new plateau of packing light and enjoying being on the move even more!
I will NEVER forget our trip to Japan with my daughter Liz and standing in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Station which is one of the busiest subways in the world…during rush hour. We had just arrived by train in the heart of Tokyo from the Narita airport in the early evening and hit with culture shock and chaos from the minute we stepped off the train
This video I found on YouTube shows just how crazy it is. Liz and I stood there waiting for Steve to get information with our HUGE suitcases….crowds rushing around us like we were rocks in a river. OMG I never felt so out of my element and wishing I had only packed a backpack as I did that particular moment.
So needless to say, this experience was the first of MANY which launched a succession of suitcase purchases over the years….each bag becoming smaller and more compact, resulting in fewer clothes to wear and more of them morphing to black and brown!!
Another defining moment in my lesson plan for travel luggage came on a recent trip to Paris. In the effort to save money on a long taxi ride from the airport AND looking for adventure, we did the Paris subway with our (my) semi large suitcases. OMG all those steps!!!! It was one set of steps after another , all the while being rushed.
Poor Steve would first do the flight of 30 steps with his suitcase, I would go stand with his stuff while he got mine as we crossed paths on the staircases so as not to leave anything unattended too long. Because of my vision issues it was just not possible to carry that much bulk, use my cane and still see the steps. After 8 or nine of those staircases in a row, I vowed to downsize once more!!
I could go on and on, but you get the picture!! So this trip it’s all carry on luggage as you saw in my previous posts
CHECK OUT THE VIDEO BY RICK STEVE ON PACKING LIGHT…IT REALLY HELPS GET A REALITY CHECK
SO TO CONCLUDE WITH A FEW BITS OF ADVICE I’VE GOTTEN OR LEARNED ALONG THE TRAVEL TRAIL
If you were not invited by the queen to a formal ball before you left home, chances are you will not be invited once you get to your destination and will NOT need the tiara and ball gown…that advice came from a dear chowist friend Marlene Shryock
- Will I wear it more than twice? If the answer is NO…then it stays behind
- Can I wash it and does it dry overnight? If the answer is NO…that stays behind too
- Can it be dressed up or down…If I can use colorful scarves or belts to extend my wardrobe choices then it can stay in my suitcase. Scarves are fun to purchase on the trip too!!
- Can I purchase this item at my destination? If YES…leave that item home
- Do I like to shop in other countries for the local clothing and styles? If YES, leave all but 3 outfits home and shop till you drop and immerse yourself in the cultural difference while doing so
AND ONE MORE TIME..I HOPE YOU ARE NOT GETTING SICK OF MATT.. BUT I ADORE THIS GUY
Hes a huge inspiration to me and I hope I can see even a small portion of the places he has while I’m still blessed to have the use of my eyesight and my camera!!!!
Sandra, I *love* all your posts about packing and getting ready for travel! I really want to see a photo of just what’s going with you this time. Very inspirational! I’m sending this to my friend who’s going to India for 7 weeks on Friday; I keep nudging her toward taking less. Maybe your post will help :-).
OMG Tell her to leave all her clothes home except for bras and undies..lol!! India will be so fun to shop in and she will be glad she is dressing like the locals if she buys clothes there.
The streets in most of the countries we visit are not filled with flat concrete sidewalks and reliable traffic lights so if she is staying in one hotel for a long time and taken there by prearranged taxi, by all means pack the whole closet….but if she needs to get from point A to point B on the streets pulling her luggage or has to take even ONE train or subway or bus….she will wish she had taken a backpack or a single carry on.
I’m so glad you are enjoying the posts Linda!!! I love looking back on previous trips and writing it all down too. It helps me look at things more realistically. Tomorrow I’ll post pix of what I’m packng…the BEFore on hangars..and the AFTER in the bag
I LOVE that Matt video – so inspirational!
Your writings on packing light are hilarious and true! I am all about packing light and conveniently. I have a travel wheelie bag that has hidden backpack straps so it can become very transportable. Its awesome. I don’t really like carrying it as a backpack, but I like the option. There have been boardwalks on amazing beautiful Islands off the coast of Thailand that I was so thankful that my bag converted like this. Wheelie suitcases and remote island boardwalks don’t like each other very much, let alone wheelie bags and sand… sorta back-breaking – but with the convertible bag I simply slung it on my back and trucked along like a donkey! I also have a backpack for my camera that is made by the same company as yours! I love it, its wonderful. I don’t have as many lenses to fill it with though 🙂
Hi Leah!! Isn’t that vid the best??? I watch it at least once a week when I need an attitude adjustment or some creative fuel!! All those smiling faces dancing with joyful abandon all over the world……..ahhhhhh I love it!!!
I sure wish I didn’t have bad shoulders and I would be carrying the Rick Steves backpack. Got one for my son for his honeymoon trip and it really is a perfect way to travel. I’m like you, I have the convertible straps on the camera bag but rarely use them. BUT when you need them they are INVALUABLE!!
Trains are the worst for rolling luggage…oh and busses OMG I dread dragging my bags up the stairs of a bus, fumbling for my foreign coins I can’t read anyway becuase I just arrived in the country with my overstuffed BAGS!! ……….. and still trying to watch where Im stepping with my cane in hand. A backpack is the only way to go for those situations. Thanks for stopping in Leah!!!!! Hope to see your friendly “face” lots on the trip!!