It reminded me of the time I decided in my infinite wisdom to pack light, when I was going on holiday. You've seen the packing wizard on daytime TV, who shows you how to pack everything you need for a weeks holiday into what would normally be your toiletries holdall. Well I took the advice. Lazy holiday, reading by the pool, easy. Swimsuits, sarongs, undies, little dress for the evening, shorts, couple of t-shirts, cosmetics, suntan lotion. Well she said that, that would be all that I would require. And so with my little holdall as hand luggage I confidently stepped onto the plane and was whisked away to paradise.
We arrived late that evening just in time to grab a bite to eat and then fall exhausted into bed. The following day was hot, hot, hot. So out to the pool, book in hand, sitting under the palms. Lovely. Followed by a lovely evening. Then the next day, pool again, and another lovely evening. Then the next day a morning in the laundry, followed by a very expensive shopping trip for more clothes. (There do have to be some advantages.) Don't believe a word they say, they tell big fat fibs.
Hence forth I have become the ultimate 'bag lady', if it will possibly fit into my case it goes with me. I am that awfully annoying woman that holds up the check in queue, with her umpteen cases and assorted matching bags. (I'm sorry but I cannot under any circumstances travel unmatched, it simply is not done.) I used to mourn the passing of the days when one could pack one's trunk. That is until I started cruising. Now I too have my trunk, it has drawers, hanging racks, shoe racks, you name it, it's there. I fill every little nook and cranny. It is my salvation, my own little bedroom suite on wheels.
Yes I am a very sad little woman. But that's what you get for a) watching daytime TV, and b) believing what they tell you. Anyway here is the Lady who stole my heart. (No not liberty you twits, the other one.)
(It was her last transatlantic crossing, I partied in New York and all the way home, but that's another story.)
6 at confession:
At the suggestion of my dad, who did a lot of traveling on business, my wife and I packed only carry-on luggage for a trip to Las Vegas last year. After passing literally thousands of people waiting to check their bags, most of whom were likely not going to make their flights, we vowed never to check out bags again. If I can't carry it on my back, it ain't comin' with me.
Sven; I salute you, I know I should, I wish I could, but alas I am a woman and this just goes against the grain. I have to have a handbag to match each outfit, plus shoes, plus accessories. I cannot wear the same cocktail dress more than once in a season. The bags and shoes are in fact a genetic factor, honest, just ask the Captain and my big sis JT.
I am an extremely light baggageman because I'm like Sven. Unlike Martha, I am willing to wear the same clothes several days running. About halfway through, I turn them inside out.
Needless to say, we take separate vacations.
And as meticulous a packer as I am, I invariably forget my toothbrush. I have a toothbrush from nearly 200 Holiday Inns.
But like you, Saint, I have matched luggage: I use plastic sacks all from the same grocery.
OMG, Jude, you're Alexis Carrington! LOL
I'm with Sven and Pooper. If I can get out of checking it, I will.
Good thing Mom taught me how to wash out my things in the sink. ;-)
And here I was feelings postively high maintenence for buying a new backpack for my last trip :)
I've only ever not checked luggage in once, and that was for a weekend trip. I find that generally, the relationship between days of permanence away from home and the number of bags taken to the trip is exponential, and not linear, as one might expect.
In other words, I indulge in over-packing much too frequently for my own good.
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