Professor Sharon

It seems some days the biggest conversation is what to pack and what to pack it in! I’ve read some excellent packing suggestions, on Rick Steves’ site, and at least one other really well organized site. I’ve read several guidebook suggestions, asked other folks what they pack and made several lists.

We’re not doing the backpack – all you need in one bag for a year – choice. And, we don’t have the option of the 1870s when a few servants and huge trunks solved the whole thing! Part of this adventure is clearly the realization that that huge and oversized sweatshirt that I’ve lounged about the house in every evening just can’t come along!

I have a couple of outfits to sew for myself. The prices that some of the travel catalogs want for some items is really out of line. I did buy the hubby a nice shirt for dinner out that doesn’t need ironing, and a few other small items. But I have sewing skills and the women’s blouses, and skirts I can make for a lot less (especially with sale fabric which I lucked into today for $2.50 a yard for some really lovely crush-able rayon.) So we are thinking about layers and crush-able clothing; but it’s been really a lot of thinking and deciding as to what bags do we want to haul for 4 months.

Guidebooks and others’ ideas are really helpful; and yet noone else has done exactly what we’re doing and so we have to go with our best judgment at this point. But stay tuned, as we agreed that in about another week or so, we’d make what we thought would be the final pile, look at the luggage, and try to decide which pieces to take. We are planning on just two wheeling bags (size is the question), and a bag for each of us to carry with our laptops, books, etc.

And, it’s not just what to bring with us, but how does one deal with the little things you decide to purchase and pick up as mementos and gifts for the folks back home? Does anyone know if there’s a service that rents carrier pigeons with trunks?