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Shoes are a big problem for me on longer trips - for a lot of walking (or standing in museums, which KILLS my feet) I need my clunky walking shoes with orthotics. I usually take 2 pair because then I can alternate between them to keep my feet happy. Then I usually have a pair of sandals and a pair of nicer dress shoes. So 4 pairs of shoes, 5 if I am taking my ankle-supporting hiking boots. Unfortunately solid shoes take up a lot of luggage space.
I traveled two or three trips a month for 25 years and had a good-sized bag with my business materials, so I learned how to travel for a week or two in one bag. My late first bride, a former Navy brat, taught me. She could pack like nobody's business!
Wonderful present wife of 33 years, we need a U-haul for an overnight. But she's worth it.
My wife and I wear the same type clothes year round - jeans, sweat shirts/sweaters, etc. So when we drive to visit relatives we just throw stuff in a couple of sacks, put them in the trunk and go. Wash things while there.
We have had many vacations in London and Paris (until a few years ago). We didn't take anything, ever. Just buy whatever when we got there and throw it all away/sometimes mail certain stuff home (if we like it) at the end of the trip.
Leave with nothing, come back with nothing. Simple and hassle free.
So I totally admit that traveling with me can be a little like riding on Cleopatra's barge. I am a chronic overpacker, I just break out in hives at the thought of needing something and not having it. And sorry I secretly think women who can go on a 7 day European vacation with 2 pairs of shoes are alien pod people..
Anyway, have a 4 day girls weekend in Florida coming up and trying to get down to 1 carryon.
Are you a light traveler? tips?
I pack light so I can carry more of my wife's stuff.
I do not fly unless my child or spouse is dying. When we pack for travel I always assume that my spouse may suddenly decide to kick me out of the SUV and I would have to start life all over again. Two suitcases, a duffel, a clothes basket with shoes and boots, half a hangar bar of shirts and coats, three or four hats, and a wedding/funeral suit. Pretty much the same for cruises, which I actively resist. If we should ever go to Europe, which is certainly not in my future plans, a consultant will have to pack for me.
I do not fly unless my child or spouse is dying. When we pack for travel I always assume that my spouse may suddenly decide to kick me out of the SUV and I would have to start life all over again. Two suitcases, a duffel, a clothes basket with shoes and boots, half a hangar bar of shirts and coats, three or four hats, and a wedding/funeral suit. Pretty much the same for cruises, which I actively resist. If we should ever go to Europe, which is certainly not in my future plans, a consultant will have to pack for me.
I have only taken vacations to guest ranches in the West for many years. One bag quite enough, and when I stayed at places without w/d, just wash stuff out in the shower, hang it up and it's dry in the morning. Love that lack of humidity! I spent a volunteer vacation week in Utah at an animal sanctuary and it turned out to be during a heat wave. I wore the same gauze shirt every day, washed it in the shower, put it in the sun, dry in minutes.
I cannot imagine how I would dress for a European vacation since I dress like a hobo in the rest of my life. Probably wouldn't go for that reason, or would be kicked off the street by the fashion police. I intensely dislike thinking about clothing. It was a major plus to my former job, working at night, where they were just glad if you showed up.
How can you generalize? If I'm going to Florida for a few days and all I plan to do is walk on the beach, then I can throw some shorts and tops in a carry-on. For my once-in-a-lifetime trip to Europe, I took a huge checked bag because I wanted my nice clothes with me. And it also depends on the weather. Kudos to anyone who can spend 2 weeks in a cold climate without a lot of clothes.
My biggest problem is the amount of electronics I'm now dragging around. Phone, tablet and/or laptop, cables, chargers, headphones, foreign country adapters. All that stuff weighs a ton and it has to go in a carry-on, along with meds, jewelry, and anything else you can't afford to lose in a checked bag. I've been looking for a wheeled tote bag that meets carry-on size restrictions for this purpose for 3 years and they don't exist.
Backpack for weekend trip. Carryon for longer. If you forget something you can usually buy it there.
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