I’ve never been a worrying type of packer, rather a more casual, if I forget something, I can always buy it there kind of packer. But in spite of my casual attitude, I am organized. For the most part. I keep a master packing list on my computer that I just update for my current trip. It’s divided into clothing, gadgets, shoes, extras like gifts, and so on. Once it’s compiled, I print out the list and bring it with me. Last Christmas when my bag went missing for 11 days on a flight from Paris to Cincinnati, that list was a lifesaver – I was able to quickly and easily give the airline my suitcase contents.
As we travel so much, I keep any leftover currency from a trip in an envelope and labelled. Then the next time we travel to Australia or wherever, I just pull out the appropriate envelope and we have a little local currency. In my many years of travels, I’ve also become adept at rolling up my clothes, layering and packing them so as to optimize the space in my suitcase. But perhaps the very best thing that I do these days is to put all my basic necessities in my carry-on, including a spare change of clothes. When you are traveling for two days, it makes you feel human to have clean clothes to bring along. And if your bag is delayed, you can wash and alternate your outfit.
But just so you know that even the most organized of packers can and do make mistakes, I should let you know that I forgot to bring sunglasses. To Australia. In summer. Let’s just say that buying sunglasses was the first thing I did after we arrived in Sydney.
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Sydney is FULL of Swedes at the moment. I’ve had three close encounters in the last 24 hours – at the supermarket, at the bus queue, and at the doctor. I’m guessing now is the time of the year when everyone wants a bit of sunshine?
It blows my mind you can just get on a plane and go to Summer 🙂
Putting the lists on the computer is such an excellent idea! I’m going to steal that. Now that my children go away without us more and more often, packing and lists have become a nightmare. I have sheets of paper pinned to a noticeboard at present – I was thinking the other day that I needed a list of my lists. It would also help me to check off what they forget to bring home, as when they pack the list goes upstairs with them, never to be seen again.
I understand Jane. And the master list does help. But it is not without errors. I forgot sunglasses!
Antropologa, it’s a very good thing.
This is the time of year when all Swedes try to get out of the country James!
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