post off: are you a good traveler?
Like most people, I love to travel. But while going on vacation is always a good thing, preparing for the trip is a whole ‘nother ballgame. Let’s start with packing. I start by piling things onto my bed. Once the entire contents of my closet are on the bed, I begin to worry that I’m taking too much. I then stand in the middle of my room for a good 30 minutes stressing about how many items I’m taking, and convincing myself I need each and every one of them. Then I start making lists about what not to forget in the morning. Instead of packing these things right then and there, I write them down and prepare myself to pack them later. It’s a veritable nightmare. The morning of my flight I run around like a chicken with my head cut off and panic all the way to the airport. What if I forgot something? What if we hit traffic? I’ve come to understand that although I love to travel, I’m just not a good traveler. Are you? –Erica P.
Photo by David Ruiz
April 24th, 2009 at 9:11 am
No, I’m not. I fret and I worry and I make crazy long lists.
However, once I’m at my destination, I’m fine.
I just hope someone can someday invent a functional teleporter… that would really take the stress out of travel. Pop into Paris for the day, then back home again. ; )
April 24th, 2009 at 10:07 am
No, definitely not. I both over pack and under pack – pack too many clothes and not enough of everything else, inc. shoes, toiletries.
April 24th, 2009 at 10:48 am
I have actually become a good traveler- I make lists and everything, and I stress out, but that’s how I am about everything. I always make sure to pack 2 pairs of comfortable shoes and lightweight clothes for layering.
April 24th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
The best travel advice I ever got was to never check a bag. I used to bring way too much (just in case!), but I’ve made a strong effort to pare down to the bare essentials and bring only what I can carry in one small suitcase, no matter the length of the trip. It’s very liberating!
April 24th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Same as Christine – I never check a bag. Avoid taking bulky items including jeans, instead layering lighter items as needed. I have certain classic, easy to wear clothes that are designated as always-pack-for-travel and I also have a spare bath kit tucked in my travel bag.
April 27th, 2009 at 6:20 am
I on the other hand check everything in the one bag and if I can avoid even carrying a purse or laptop through the airport I will to spare my back.
I travel often for work and packing is like an art form. I usually just start a few days before and throw everything I think I might need out on one spare surface as I think of it, Then the night before I put it all in the bag and I can do any editing then. People always ask is that it?
Also a spare phone charger is a great thing to have.
April 27th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
I hate to brag, but I’m pretty good at the travel prep. After numerous unsuccessful trips (where I have 7 shirts, but one pair of pants, no underwear and only heels to walk all about town) I realized “this is bad, what is wrong with me?” So now I first check the weather, make a list of what I need (types of things, not specific pieces), and then when I go to pack, I get out the bag I’m taking, open it, and pull all the pieces that are on the list.
Then, before packing them (and don’t forget your toiletries, but you put those in last, on top for easy access), I look at how any of the pieces can do double duty for me on the trip. This means most of the pieces can be mixed with each other for say 6 different outfits from 2 shirts, 2 pants, 1 shorts, 2 shoes and a jacket and sweater. Although sometimes I’ll also bring a dress or two, because they take up no room, I can pair with both the sweater and the jacket, and that’s just upped my outfit count to 8. Now I can go a whole week in a weekend sized bag. At this point, you don’t even need to check your bags, just get there early enough so you get good overhead storage on the plane!
September 29th, 2009 at 6:41 am
[...] There is nothing I hate more than traveling. Not the seeing new places, visiting old friends, and having adventures part, but the literal traveling part of getting on a plane and journeying somewhere. The germy airports, the delayed flights, the checked baggage fees — take your pick, I hate them all. The only way I can truly get excited about traveling is by accruing adorable accessories, which is why I’ve fallen hard for the Etsy shop train cases, $60 to $110, my favorites, actually make me want to ride the rails cross country just to show off the luggage. –Katie D. Related: Are you a good traveler? [...]