Packing Light
Woman in the Middle | November 16, 2014I have mentioned before, I like to pack lightly when I go on vacation. I really really dislike having to wrestle a bunch of stuff around when I am on a trip. It takes some of the joy out of travel for me. This is particularly true if I am traveling on an airplane. I also despise the new norm in air travel which requires payment for a checked bag. If all four of us are traveling, it means another $200 round trip out of my pocket just to check luggage which could be spent doing something fun on vacation instead.
On our recent 5 night, 6 day trip to Portland and Seattle, all four of us took one carry on each. We included enough clothing, shoes, and such to get us though as well as presents for three friends. Most people I mention this to are a little surprised. This is how I do it:
1. I don’t worry about looking beautiful on vacation. I do not take blow dryers, curling irons, or flat irons. I take a brush. Hubby takes a comb.
2. Traveling in summer helps. In the winter it is more difficult to pull it off. If it is spring or fall, I wear the jacket I am taking onto the plane.
3. I do not travel to jungles or other wild places. I am in cities and can buy anything I need that I forgot or suddenly need to have.
4. I assume every pair of pants or shorts can be worn twice, three times in an emergency.
5. Rolling clothes instead of folding them makes much more room in my bag.
6. Most hotels provide shampoo and soap so I don’t bring much of those two items.
7. We take casual vacations. What I wear during the day works for night as well. I do not feel the need to take many things that are for ”just in case.”
8. If I do take a dress, I have a few already that are lightweight and do not take up much room.
9. I maximize my use of the airline’s “one carry on and a personal item” rule. My “personal item” is usually a decent size bag, but one that will fit under the seat in front of me.
10. I would prefer not to have to do laundry while I am gone, but I really dislike having to carry around a bunch of stuff. So, if necessary, I will do laundry if it means I have less junk to carry.
11. The one thing I do not skimp on is shoes. Happy feet are a must for vacation. If that means two extra pairs of shoes, I will find room for them. Hubby wears nothing but his Reeboks every day anyway so it is the same on vacation. He just takes the one pair and they are on his feet, not in a suitcase.
I joke that I am working towards going on vacation will little more than a toothbrush and an extra pair of underwear. Well, I am half joking, actually. If airlines decide to charge for carry on bags, I may be forced to do just that!
That is how we travel for up to a week with one carry on each. I realize that this style of travel isn’t for everyone, but for those of you who may wish to travel lightly, I thought I would share what I do.
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