Friday, April 27, 2012

There's no one-size-fits-all for luggage because it all depends on the trip. Just like there are differences in travel experiences, there should be differences in your gear.


I sit here on my bed….listening to a bit of CCR, surrounded by suitcases, backpacks, Ziploc bags and a slew of items which I think I may need for  the next two years of my life. How does one begin to pack for two years? I have been on multiple vacations-varying in length and packing has never been a challenge. Just throw everything in a bag that you know you will need, a few extras and I was set. But how does one begin to pack for a place they have never been to before?  How does one pack for a culture they have never experienced before? One doesn’t want to forget something essential nor does one want to pack in excess. It is a losing battle in my mind.
I’m just 2 days shy on the 3 month mark. Three months and I will be boarding a plane for Zambia. It hard to believe it is coming so quickly. What feels like just yesterday was five months is already down to three.
80 lbs is my limit. I have just about everything that was on the suggested list packed into one backpack and it weighs no more than 40lbs. I probably have about 10 more pounds of items that I have yet to put in a bag but after that it is going to leave me with about 30lbs to fill with what some might call “luxury” items. Those things that you take that will help give you some comfort on your ‘tough days’ or tough months. Whichever it may be? But I find it hard to think of what items I could bring that would really provide me comfort.  Pictures…maybe. But I already have plans to pack some of those. Paper…this could be good to, to have a place to release that frustration, homesickness or sadness. But that is already packed as well. Good Conversation with people…if only there was a way to pack FAC at the Hudson house in my suitcase…I would be set. Even with starting to pack, I know that bag stuffed full of stuff will be unpacked and repacked at least a dozen times over the next few months. With my OCD of worring I forgot something or there might be something I packed that I don’t really need. Oh the stress. I could follow the ways of some that I know and just through everything in a bag….wrinkled and all 30 minutes before my plane leaves on June 30th. This tactic may work for some and on any other trip I would possibly consider it but this one…this one I think I might need to prepare and plan for just a little bit.
But even as I am overwhelmed by the thought of packing, there is a bit of satisfaction of the thought of being to carry everything that I need for the next two years on my back. Not being tied down with possession of any kind but truly feeling free to be able to explore without strings attached. Without anything holding me back. It is truly a wonderful feeling.  
Let the packing continue……

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