May 26-27: Packing

Though I am a seasoned traveler, I am still attempting to master the minimalist technique.

I avoid checking luggage at all costs. However, I had two Ryan Air flights booked and also needed to bring camera equipment with me so I knew that I would have to check one back on each Ryan Air flight.

Then there is the whole…I have to lug all this stuff around with me for 3 months on planes, trains, buses, cars, and up tiny ancient staircases…*light bulb: this is why they call it LUGG-AGE* so I should back as lightly as possible.  

Steps for Minimalist Packing:

1) Pull out all the clothes I think I want to bring and place on bed

2) Divide the pile in half....twice

3) Organize clothes by category and place into zip lock bags

4) Sit on top of zip lock bags squeezing out all air and zip shut whilst sitting upon bags with large rear

5) Neatly place self-vacuumed zip lock bags of clothes into new 4-wheel roller suitcase

6) Sit on top of new 4 wheel roller suitcase

7) Zip shut whilst sitting upon new 4 wheel roller suitcase with large rear

8) Completely unpack entire suitcase day before trip and remove a few clothing items that you have decided are not needed after anxiety attack about weight of suitcase

9) Add more underwear

10) Repeat steps 2-7

11) Declare packing victory

12) Avoid thinking about suitcase for next 12 hours

Then there is a the journal, camera, art supplies, electronics, and book dilemma. I finally decided to not bring any books and add the kindle app to my tablet…which I still haven’t figured out how to use in a way the makes sense for me. Why am I holding one screen with electronic pages instead of a two panels with paper pages instead? I don't understand.

However, the tablet is great in terms of podcasts. A part of me hates my addiction to electronics and chargers but, at this point in my millennial life there is no turning back.

Ah…PASSPORT!