Tips on Packing?

TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2011

I would have to say that I’ve been travelling—I mean seriously travelling— since I was 23 years old. I’m more than double that age now (though just barely) and my travel experiences are many. I must admit that I used to travel believing in, and living, the advice that as long as you had your passport and credit card, you were set to go. Not so any more, I note as I glance into my packed suitcase. If I had packed just my passport and credit card, I would not be wondering if my suitcase will be under the 50 lb pound checked baggage limit. That would be a given. Oh, sure, part of the weight is due to our wonderful technological age—I have a laptop computer, with power cord, an MP3 player, special noise reduction headphones, a portable hard drive, several thumb drives, a digital camera, flip cam, web cam, and who knows what other cam. These things definitely add to the weight, but they are not the things that have me reflecting on what could possibly have happened to me over the second 23 years of my life.

In my suitcase also lies many, many additional ‘necessities’: two different types of orthotic insoles, a plethora of natural remedies for what ails me (zinc lozenges to keep sore throats away, papaya digestive enzymes, turmeric–filled anti-inflammatory capsules, ginger pills for turbulent times, etc.), not to mention the over-the-counter traditional fare (ibuprofen, asa, Aleve, etc.), the ‘right’ kind of toothpaste for my sensitive teeth, special conditioner for coloured hair, a golf ball for my plantar fasciitis, a tennis ball to work out back muscle spasms, a piece of rubber tubing to avoid getting back muscle spasms, etc. etc. And that doesn’t even include my journal, reading material (including Bourdieu, Lacan, & Foucault—definitely NOT in my suitcase at 23), shoes, extra shoes, and extra extra shoes.

So what has happened to me over those 23 plus years? That’s a good question, and one worth pondering before I decide to write a book on ‘packing tips for travelling and aging gracefully.’ J

I have a friend who once told me that his parents bring their own box of cereal with them when they come to visit and stay overnight. Rest assured; I still do not carry my own cereal when I travel. When/if that ever happens, I might consider giving up this travelling gig once and for all.

With my bags now fully packed, it’s off to New Zealand I go…