“He who would travel happily must travel light.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Since our return from Turkey, I’ve given a lot of thought to the topic of “what to carry” in luggage and in life. In the next blog I promise to segue back into non-travel topics that are closer to Life Coaching. But now I’m focused on “what to carry.” Next week we will get to what we carry on this journey of life. That will be about “traveling light” in the way we treat our “stuff.”
If you have ever taken a Rick Steve’s Tour to Europe, you found yourself restricted to 20 pounds in a carry-on–size bag. He recommends an unstructured 9″ x 22″ x 14″ bag that fits under most airplane seats. (As if you want that bag to BE taking up your foot space on an eight hour flight!) Rick brags, “That’s my self-imposed limit. At my company, we have taken tens of thousands of people of all ages and styles on tours through Europe. We allow only one carry-on bag. For many, this is a radical concept… But they manage, and they’re glad they did. After you enjoy that sweet mobility and freedom, you’ll never go any other way…..When you carry your own luggage, it’s less likely to get lost, broken, or stolen. …Quick, last-minute changes in flight plans become simpler. A small bag sits on your lap or under your seat on the bus, taxi, and airplane. You don’t have to worry about it, and, when you arrive, you can hit the ground running. It’s a good feeling.”
If you are wondering how it’s done, print out a packing list from his website http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/pack-light.htm that is customized for men or women. It worked for us when we traveled with his group to Italy seven years ago. I would add two light, flat things to his list. Bring a soft, collapsible bag that you can pack inside the carry-on enroute to Europe. It will come in handy for a carry-on full of gifts on the way home. (Sh-h-h – don’t tell Rick Steves but it’s okay to check that initial carry-on for the return trip. If it gets lost, you have extra underwear back home. All your precious mementos are still with you in the cabin.) Second, bring a giant zip-loc bag…the kind meant for storing blankets. Use this as your own personal washing machine in your hotel room. Instead of slopping suds and water all over the bathroom floor, you can splish and slosh your laundry around in the sealed bag. Rinse it out and hang it up with your laundry. Maybe you could even use it for that extra carry-the-gifts-home bag!
Here is one more trick that helps with carrying less stuff on your travels. Unless you are going to a place that has experienced total economic collapse, you are going to spend some time shopping. Nothing says, “I’ve been there” like a nicer shirt or an umbrella purchased on your trip. A friend used to purposely leave something off her packing list so she could buy the item at her destination. Then when she used it back home, it always reminded her of the joy of her travels.
If you aren’t convinced you can travel this light, Rick suggests you pack what you think you need the week before departure. Then give yourself a test run. Take your carry on and purse or backpack and head out for a trial run. “Go into your hometown, and practice being a tourist for an hour” with everything you would carry in an airport. Fully loaded, you should enjoy window-shopping. If you can’t, stagger home and thin things out. Remember, it’s only your tour members who are going to see that same shirt every third day…and they didn’t spend their savings on this trip to see your fabulous wardrobe!
This is the fifth in a series of Seasons of Purpose blogs focused on the topic of Travel.
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Tags: carry-on, Cinda Gorman, Seasons of Purpose, Travel, travel light
