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Grandma Ruth, the consummate world traveler, could never stay put. She jumped a bus to Chicago to join the communist revolution when was was still a teen, went back to nursing school in her forties and never hesitated to hop in the car to drive twenty hours across country just because. Even in her last years, when everyone, her kids, grand kids, doctors, everyone warned her not to fly, she ignored us all so she could see New Zealand.
She was just that kind of woman.
I learned a lot from her. How to pass the wind in mahjohg. How to make potato latkes – ahh latkes -- and home made pickles. How to get a good deal on just about anything. And of course, I learned how to pack a suitcase.
That I never listened to her is another thing. I tried my own way for years, but now, on the eve of yet another pack up and move (more on that soon), I’m finally taking her advice.
Pack Early and Often
We always knew Grandma and Grandpa were going on vacation because their suitcase stood already packed near the door of their bedroom for about two weeks before the departure date.
They laid everything out, arranged it just so. Made choices, took out what they didn’t need, and then, they were done. If at the end, they thought of something extra, there was space left to pack it, and always enough room for the gifts they inevitably brought back.
I am the opposite. You'll find me panicking in the early morning hours before our bus or flight is to leave, and my bags are too often close to bursting. I doubt I'll ever be the type to be ready weeks or even days before I go, but I have made a concerted effort to begin at least a couple days earlier than usual.
Know the Difference Between What You Want and What You Need
How many late nights have I spent surrounded by piles of things wondering how the hell I was ever going to get everything to fit? That’s when eventually it dawns on me. Choices must be made.
Need is relatively different for everyone, but most must-have lists will include passport, electronic or paper ticket, money, toothbrush and paste, underwear. Pants and shoes for walking and hiking. Soap. This ensures the basics of of staying clean and comfortable. Then, you think weather. Do you need a bathing suit or a coat and gloves?. Are you working or blogging? Then you may need a camera or computer.
I also include tea tree oil because its antifungal, antibacterial and anti-louse. I cannot tell you how many times this has been useful. Lavender, too, can come in very handy for the same things.
Beyond that, you’re getting into wants. Nothing wrong with wanting as long as you're willing to lug it.
Here is a small collection of packing advice gathered from other travel bloggers:
- Uncornered Market lists all the clothing and everything they need to travel the world, from Thailand and Malaysia to Central America.
- Or Nomadic Matt's ideas for the electronics you bring along on your trip
- Soultravelers3 offers tips for being a traveling fashionista.
- And finally, a universal packing list from Travellious that includes the ever lovely handy packing calculator.
Ziplock Bags Are Your Best Friend
There’s something magical about a Ziploc. Somehow you can fit more into the same suitcase when each individual item has been placed in one. While the laws of physics seem to defy this, it is undeniably true. And if something spills, the rest of your stuff is protected.
While Grandma and Grandpa put everything that would fit in a Ziploc in a Ziploc, I use them for those things I
want to keep together. This little photo here to the right shows a week-and-a-half supply of both mine and Lila’s
underwear, all clothing for running in warm to cool weather, both our bathing suits and Lila’s socks. It
also keeps them in easy reach of the top of the suitcase.
I’ve also used those vacuum pack bags, the ones like giant Ziplocs that you can just roll the air out, close and go. One caveat: Use too many and your pack becomes surprisingly heavy.
You Can Buy What You Need When You Get There
Clothing, extra underwear, a warm sweater are very possibly cheap and easier to find after you arrive at your destination. For instance, why not buy a handmade llama sweater and gloves when visiting the Andes. It’s soft comfortable and designed specifically to keep people warm in that part of the world. Bathing suits on the Cote d’Azur? Mine was 10 euros.
You Can’t Buy Everything You Need When You Get There
Noah has a size 14 foot. You cannot find shoes in his size anywhere in France, Italy, Panama or Costa Rica. We have yet to find them in Argentina. Noah’s shoes are enormous, but we make room for whatever he may need because they are not easily replaceable.
Grandma Ruth and Grandpa Charles had a list of medications they needed to take daily. While prescriptions are often cheaper in other countries, I personally wouldn't risk not finding what I need when I need it.
Ok, so this contradicts my previous Grandma Ruth lesson. The key is to do a bit of research before you go. My best advice for this sort of research is to talk to other travelers. Again, Trip Advisor, Couchsurfing, your basic Google search. There's also Travel Blog Exchange -- creation of Kim Mance of GoGalavanting and Debbie Dubrow of Delicious Baby -- where you can find links to and advice from hundreds of travel bloggers.
You Don’t Need As Many Pairs of Pants As You Think
We all teased Grandma Ruth because she was happy to wear the same clothing day after day. Laugh as you will, I think her mindset was always that of someone who wanted to be free to move around. She never wanted extra baggage.
It’s a choice, take those three pairs of jeans and two shorts. Pack two sweaters for fashion, and all the nail polish colors you want. I know, each item is small, doesn’t seem like a big deal, but somehow they add up quickly.
If you leave behind what you don’t really need, you’ll find quite a bit of freedom to move in return. And yes, feel free to take that as a metaphor for life as well. Because travel is about exploring the world outside your daily life, experiencing the new and expanding your world to include other people, countries and places.
What, then, becomes important to bring along in your bags?
Photo courtesy of David Master's Flickrstream
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Great post!
I am one of those "pack my whole life in a suitcase" kind of person. But lately I've been taking more weekend road trips and after a while you don’t want extra baggage. You start to notice the little things which could of stayed home. Now I’m trying to pack the least possible but still being able to have options. I used to pack everything because you never know when you may need this or that. Then I realized I never really needed "this or that". So now I try to have a color scheme so all my clothes can be made into endless outfits, instead of bringing 50 different outfits. I try to only bring shoes that are versatile and comfy.
Also, one thing I have always done is make a list. You list everything you may need from toothbrush to undies and everything in between. The list helps me narrow down what clothing pieces I choose to bring. Also it really helps you remember the necessary things. I hate having to run around buying a toothbrush when I have 3 at home. Another thing I started to do was leave a few traveling items in my bag. I have a deodorant, lotion, toothbrush and toothpaste in my travel bag so once I start to pack that’s already in there.
Posted by: Lilly | July 07, 2009 at 04:28 PM
Wait! You know how to play Mahjongg? You HAVE to teach me when you get here. I learned when I was a kid, but have forgotten. (I guess I could get a set so you don't have to pack it though.)
Posted by: Ken & Hanako | July 07, 2009 at 07:21 PM
I always end up packing too much also, but we don't travel enough. If we traveled more, I'm sure I could learn how to pack more efficiently (Uh-yeah, sure...LOL) I do write lists to make sure I have the essentials. In fact, my purse always has way too much in it, too!
Oops! Signed in w/google.
Rayvenne (Collette)
Posted by: www.google.com/accounts/o8/id?id=AItOawl_kBlH-rpXcsXsZDe-UrogwLcl1UD7Suk | July 07, 2009 at 09:14 PM
Great Story about Aunt Ruth.
She had a good partner with that Uncle Charles.
Have a good day.
Charles
Posted by: Charles Conlan | July 08, 2009 at 12:07 AM
Ziplock bags are indeed my best friend when travelling. So are baby wipes for my daughter and for me, as are hand sanitizers!
Posted by: Jen Laceda | July 08, 2009 at 03:29 PM
Excellent advice! I particularly like the idea of leaving the basic travel items in your bag, so you never forget what you need most.
Also makes it really easy to just pack up and go last minute.
Posted by: Leigh Shulman | July 12, 2009 at 12:09 AM
I'll be honest, we spent so much time laughing over terms like "break the wind" that I didn't actually learn how to play. But I'd be happy to try to learn and play together next time we see each other. Also, bridge, I'd love to try bridge again.
Posted by: Leigh Shulman | July 12, 2009 at 12:10 AM
Yes, I always have too much. Even this trip leaving Salta and going back to the US for the summer, I wrote my lists, packed early, took out what we didn't need. And yet I still feel like we're lugging too much stuff.
I have to admit, though, almost everyone I know says the same thing.
Posted by: Leigh Shulman | July 12, 2009 at 12:11 AM
Yes! Baby wipes. Especially with kids, particularly little ones. I've also been told those are your best friend at Burning Man too. But that is another story altogether.
Posted by: Leigh Shulman | July 12, 2009 at 12:13 AM
Good one, Leigh! Your Grandma Ruth sounds cool. Thanks for including us with the link love! I gave it a stumble.
When I was young, I always over packed. Friends still talk about all that I brought with me on a peace trip that went all over the former Soviet Union in 1988! LOL! What was I thinking??
Now, we have become experts on packing and we can go months with just 3 small daypacks each ( kidlet can roll or carry hers) and that includes homeschool supplies and at least one laptop! It usually just takes me an hour to pack it as I have the main ingredients down to an art form. We zip on cargo ships, planes, trains, buses or whatever is needed.
Even backpackers are amazed at how little we carry. People just don't need as much as they think. We have done it with 3 seasons of clothes needed and including special occasion things like going out in NYC or Istanbul.
Actually kiddo is the hardest to pack and has the most stuff. Luckily she is still so tiny that they don't take up much room. Hubs and I have and need very little.
I really love the freedom of needing so little. We are beginning to think it is normal ( while traveling) to wash a few clothes while taking a shower and even my 8 yo is good at washing clothes by hand. ;)
All of our belongings fit into a van sized motorhome & we have more books with us ( for kidlet) than anything else ( plus a full sized digital piano!). Even with this little bit, we have too much and will do a major purge before we head to Africa for a long stay. Like Noah's shoes ( my dad & brothers wear that size too!), I can not find my clothes sizes everywhere, but so far that has not been a problem since I don't need much.
We started our world tour in 2006 and hubs & I are still wearing the one pair of socks we brought! My 8 year old is still wearing a few shorts and T's that are in 12m size! We buy good & use things up. ;)
Living light and traveling light gives us such freedom that I am really grateful to be raising my daughter like this. She likes "stuff" so it is great training for her. Learning to pack light is essential for today's global citizen, eh? ;)
Posted by: Soul Travelers3 | July 12, 2009 at 01:17 PM
Great post! Your Grandma sounds like my kind of gal! She had the right mindset, just get up and go. Also, packing and leaving the bags next to the door is awesome! Love the idea and always try to make it happen; but I usually end up packing the day before or the morning of as well.
Like Lilly said, we've been taking a lot of weekend trips so our packing is slowly getting better by the trip. I used to pack a lot of things I didn't need, but now that has changed. Lilly makes a list and we use that to make sure we aren't taking extra items that will have no use.
I also love The Universal Packing List; I'll make sure to use it on my next long journey!
Posted by: C. Russo | July 13, 2009 at 06:23 PM
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Posted by: international movers | December 07, 2009 at 05:08 AM
She and Lila seem to have a lot in common. A few years a part. They even have a similar look.
And yes, Grandma Ruth was really cool. Totally ahead of her time. I think she'd have loved the travel blogging world and would have been rushing ahead of everyone to get things done.
Now that we're more settled, I have more clothing and stuff, but I still hold on to the traveler's mindset. I never want to much stuff.
Along our travels, tho, I've thought about your everyone carries his or her own stuff rule, applying even to five year olds. It's a good life lesson, I think.
Posted by: Leigh Shulman | June 02, 2010 at 12:58 PM