The Travellers Warehouse

When I first started doing a lot of travel I did things pretty much the way everyone else was. In those days people carried a lot of luggage, and some of it very large. Even then I was conservative, and the bags were not quite a big as others that I saw. My own habits were about to change! My former husband landed new position in his organization, and he really did not want to make things difficult for others. I would be doing a whole lot of travel with him. He said to me, “Pack light because we are carrying our own bags.”

Now this was when the general public didn’t have the bags on wheels. The only people we saw using them were stewardesses and pilots. So, my first trip to Europe was quite eventful. I carried two bags to Amsterdam that year, and that was too many. My partner, however, carried one small shoulder bag with all his business materials in it, and a light suit carrier that could be hung up in the plane for his clothes. By the end of the trip I learned a lot from watching him.

First of all, he took a lot of vitamin supplements, and even then he put what he needed in sandwich bags, and labeled them. This way he didn’t have to carry bottles and packages which took up a lot of room. I still do that today.

The next time we traveled I got a little bit better at the packing end of things. I bought one maroon bag that had a lot of side pockets, and sections in it. Still no wheels! However, I was able to pack everything in one bag.

In those days I sewed a lot. Children’s clothes were expensive, and so I made all my young daughter’s outfits. I also sewed for myself. The yardage store has a lot of different type of travel savvy materials. This is cloth that can be rumpled up, but that will lose all the wrinkles when it is hung up and requires no ironing. Most people don’t make their own clothes today, but if someone has that talent and they travel a lot it can make a difference. Suppose someone is going to London on a business trip, and part of that trip entails an evening out at the theater and a fancy dinner party. A talented seamstress can make a very nice, simple outfit for the occasion. Today there is such a great selection in the stores and the shops of ready to wear wrinkle free outfits that are ideal for easy packing in a suitcase or a suit carrier. At the local drugstore, and sometimes the local supermarket there is a whole section dedicated to small travel items such as shampoo, toothpaste, hair spray, and mouth wash. These small necessities take up very little room in a suitcase.

These days we have suitcases with wheels, and savvy travelers. I try not to carry a purse with me anymore when I travel. Instead I put my wallet and travel documents in my carry on bag, and in the checked bag I place a purse that will lay flat. I usually wear comfortable shoes that can be taken on and off easily, and pack another pair that is more upscale. Be sure that the shoes are good walking shoes. Sightseeing often requires a lot of walking, and in some countries staircases are the norm.

On Amazon.com there are all kinds of books on how to pack light. Here are two titles that may prove interesting. The Packing Book: Secrets of the Carry-on Traveler by Judith Gilford and Smart Packing for Today’s Traveler by Susan Foster and Barbara Weiland.

Rick Steves is a modern day Marco Polo who can be met each week on Public Service Television (PBS). He first visited Europe when he was 14, and has returned every year since. He has a whole series of travel books and travel materials that can be found on his website. He also has a book out that gives tips on packing light. His travel books can be found at Wal-Mart.

Posted December 11th, 2006 by blogger in General, Trip Planning |