There are few things that excite me more than checking in for a flight. I love getting out of dodge, hitting the skies and landing somewhere different than where I live. I literally equate most costs I am considering down to the value of a plane ticket. I currently do not have a car as every time I consider the cost I quickly do some math. 2 months worth of a payment/insurance and gas adds up to the price of a plane ticket to say Munich. 4 months adds up to the total cost of a trip to Munich where I could get to visit my sweet nieces. For now I am willing to walk, take taxis, shuttles or rent cars in an effort to keep my cash conserved for taking off. Being single and childless my vacation and time use is up to me. I choose to spend my moola and time on travel. Tomorrow evening I am heading to London for a little f-u-n (and hopefully get away from all of this atrocious Trump talk) with a girlfriend
I wouldn’t even be able to count the amount of flights I’ve taken over the years. Definitely 100’s of flight segments. You know how they say the more you do something the easier it gets. The more practice you have the more skillful you become. I am not sure where my brain is when it comes to packing for travel, but it always seems like it is somewhere else. It is kind of like getting your period. I got mine when I was 12. I am now 36. That is 24 years. Since I’ve never had a baby that is 12 times a year for 24 years. That is 288 periods. I’ve had 288 practices and I still don’t have suave skills. Only in recent years have I kind of finally gotten it together around my period. As one of my girlfriends said – one of the greatest challenges of my month is getting to my underwear before my period does. Why do I feel so abnormally tired I will be thinking? Why is my lower back sore I will be thinking? I mean my phone can manage my period if I wanted it to, but that isn’t my style. Success with your period is having all of the right stuff in the right place at the right time. Just like what is in your suitcase when you are traveling. All the right things need to be there for success. Even though I’ve packed 100’s of times I just never seem to get it right.
My parents live in a rural community. I’ve been known to show up at home for the weekend with a leather dress, high heels, a pair of jeans, no tops, no flats… you get the picture. Not only is the mix not at all practical, but it is hard to even make an outfit from it (pants but no shirts). Let’s focus on that word practical. In its dictionary meaning it is: inclined toward or fitted for actual use. Here is the thing, when I pack I think my mind wanders to — what COULD happen and that gets me distracted. Like, what if something fun comes up while I am at Mom and Dad’s? Therefore I should have a leather dress and heels with me. So could you say that I am practical in that I think to pack things which are of use for non-practical things which might happen? I can stack wood in my pj’s but if a date or event in a town of 20,000 came up unexpectedly I couldn’t wear lulu’s – I am prepared for the unexpected (although the unexpected is extremely unlikely – as in it never happens). As I mentioned above I am willing to walk (usually in heels of some sort) instead of having a car… so I do have a somewhat practical nature just not when it comes to clothing.
Earlier this year I spent 5 weeks in Australia. Packing for 30 degree weather made it easier, but this little over dresser successfully left home with a backpack and that is it. I shocked myself. I’ve managed to cut down what I pack in an effort to avoid those atrocious airline baggage fees. I can pack at least the weight of my 6 year old niece into an airline approved carry on. But then folks there is the way back. If I buy even a pair of socks I don’t have room to put them in my carry on as every square inch of it is already occupied. I usually end up with some awkward shopping bag strapped over the handle of my roller. The bag usually flips off or rips. Which usually results in me cursing.
On this trip things are going to be different folks. I am going to change my ‘non practical bad packer’ habits. I promise you (and myself) that I am going to be light and lean. My footwear is going to be sturdy, my outerwear meant for the elements, my lipstick stock limited to 2 and my sequin count zero – but my pants will be leather and my jewelry not so subtle. It is London after all, if I need to buy something juicy it is a great place to do that and I will have room in my suitcase to take it home.
The Emilie Chiasson report 