ONE DAY BEFORE DEPARTURE

THE PACKING SYNDROME

There are many approaches to the what to take-what not to take argument of packing. 

In my many years of traveling light and enjoying it, I have found the following to be the best methods to pack sensibly.

(1)  Wait until the day before departure to bring out the suitcase(s).  Under no circumstances consider a shopping spree and new wardrobe for any trip or any destination.  If you don't have it in your closet, trust that you can fix any shortfall with an interesting souvenir purchase while on your trip.
       I arrived in Birmingham, Alabama in a snow storm, new?  Even the locals had no idea what snow looked like.  Needless to say, I did not have an appropriate jacket.  Because I only needed a one day fix, I went to the local Goodwill and found a hooded quilted jacket for $6.
Ask me if I felt like the smartest traveler in the universe.

(2) Packing the day before your trip shortens the opportunity to over stuff.  

(3) Last minute preparations equal making due with what's on hand.

(4)  I have a Two-Rule.  No more than two of any type of clothing.   Two pairs of shoes, two pairs of bottoms (slacks, jeans, skirt, etc), two color integrated tops, two second layer tops (i.e., jacket, sweater), two pairs of undies.

(5) Embrace self-laundering.   The hotel soap you use on yourself works equally well on any clothing.  If I towel wring my articles, they are dry within a couple of hours. 

(6) Remember, you will seldom see anyone during your trip more than twice.  They will not remember you are wearing the same thing over and over.  If anyone does recognize your repetitive wardrobe, they will most likely think how astute and disciplined you are to do with less.

(7) Take only what you can carry.   Injury from lifting heavy items during a trip can be ruinous to you and your enjoyment.

(8) Because I can travel with everything in a backpack, I do not have to check luggage which can be lost.

(9) If you travel often, keep your essentials in always-packed-mode.

My flight departs for Italy tomorrow morning at 7:00am.  I will push the button on my packing at 8:00pm this evening.  Will I worry that I have forgotten something?  Of course. 

However, my happiest moment will be finding a suitable replacement for whatever that item might be in an unfamiliar city, in an interesting new shop and most importantly, engaging the kindness of a stranger to aid me in my search.