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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