South East Asia Adventure | Packing

'Twas the night before...and before me is a stack of tops and another of pants (too many), shoes (many too many), bags and pouches of travel supplies (do I really need all of this?), a  Transport Canada issue bag for liquids (too small) a carry-on sized suitcase (also too small) and a day pack (perfect!). It all fits, but just once I'd like extra room in my suitcase before I leave, a feeling of spaciousness and (I suppsoe) tidiness. It's the scrunching up of things that I don't like. But it's all there, ready to go. Maybe I'll take out a couple of things...that's a good trick to get it down at the last minute.

I first started to think about traveling with less on a business trip to Vancouver many years ago. The Airporter dropped me across the street and half a block away from my hotel and I had to haul my load--waaay too much for me--across the street and down to the hotel before I got any help. I vowed then not to travel with more than I could carry or lift. And then someone put wheels on suitcases, and my first Delsey two-wheeler rolled along behind me as I raced through airports, nearly tumbling along with it as I careened around corners, and predictably, spilling it over on its side. It was still too heavy, and overstuffed. So when we decided to "self-cater" around Greece and the islands a few years back, I knew I needed to do something different. In the end, I opted for an Eagle Creek trek pack that converted to a back pack--without wheels. So I  knew I would have to keep it light. So I started searching for what to take and what to pack, and how to pack that bag, and still have room for purchases. That's when I found onebag.com and I've been a loyal fan ever since.

Now I get by with a carry-on sized Samsonite four-wheeler and I wouldn't trade it for anything. No spills, and I can push it down the aisle of a plane! And even when it's packed full, I can still lift it. I've tried lots of different ways of getting everything in, but mostly I've just reduced and learn to wash a few things along the way, or take advantage of a laundry service. I carry a sink plug and some soft water soap and I can rinse out my socks anywhere. Today I found some new clothes peg/hangers that will please Margaret (try the Dollar Store). I use pouches and bags that I buy at Mountain Equipment Coop and lump things that I use or wear together in sacs. There are only five pieces in my suitcase so if someone goes rummaging, it's not that big a deal to put it all back in. I think when they see my little packages, they get scared and don't look any further because I've never had my bag torn apart, not even at the border between Chile and Argentina along the Cruce des Lagos Andinas where they are known for being meticulous about routing out smugglers of grains, seeds, fruits and other agricultural products (only the queue crashers got checked).

Everything on my official list of things to do is done, but somehow there seems to always be a new list. A house to prepare for the house sitter (thank you Quinn), backups to do, things to store away. Boarding passes - check. Passport - check.  Extra photos - check. Currency - check. Check. Check. Check. check.

With 24 hours of air travel ahead of me, my last "to-do" is to fill up my iPod with music and podcasts.  So I'll hit the iStore and see what's free on CBC, and set the alarms for an early morning trip to the airport.