I'm very pleased to announce that in five short hours I will be winging my way across the ocean to England! I'll be spending a few days in London then making my way over to Oxford to visit a very dear friend who is studying for her master's degree. I'm very excited to be going back to England (and specifically Oxford) because I love it so dearly. England is the first place that I ever really felt like I was an adult, or at least like a contributing member of society. It is also the first place that I really had to depend mostly on myself to survive--my parents weren't just down the highway like they were when I was at school.
Anyway, I thought I'd do a quick "how-to-pack-a-fair-amount-into-a-tiny-space" post, because all too frequently we either a) carry too much with us or b)don't know how to utilize space properly. My mom taught me how to do this by, for every vacation we went on, letting me pack my own bag (a total mess) then making me unpack it and systematically re-pack everything. This technique can be applied to just about any holding bag . . . I once packed a months' worth of clothing, a bathing suit, and a towel in a pink jansport backpack. Mind you, pretty much everything had to be thrown away when I got back, but that had more to do with a lack of laundry facilities than anything else.
First, what I bring with me. I'll be gone for 10 days, and will be taking everything with me as a carry-on rather than messing with checking a bag, etc. I usually add about 2 days to the essentials . . . twelve pairs of undergarments, 12 shirts, etc. I'm bring one cardigan that matches with just about everything and a light weight spring jacket that I'll wear on the plane. I'm also bringing an extra pair of jeans, 3 pairs of shoes (one that I will be wearing on my feet on the plane . . . obviously). Anyway, here's a picture of what had to go in the bag (and the first bag, which my dad usurped because it's HIS suitcase and he apparently has sharing issues.
First thing is first: in the indentations where the pull out handle sits along the bottom, layer your underwear so that the bottom is flat (sorry, no pics of my underwear, internet. I had to draw the line somewhere).
2) Any pants, fold these lengthwise once and lay along the bottom, atop your underwear (my mom and I diverge on this matter . . . she says this takes up too much space. I disagree.)
Next, put in any shirts that may need pressing, or are delicate, folding loosely but neatly. These are followed by novelty tees/embellished tees, with the embellishments (usually) folded to the inside if possible. Roll up any t-shirts/cardigans, sleep shorts, etc. in logs and stuff the sides and edges of the suitcase, doing the same with your socks (shove socks into your shoe cavities if you can, as well).
Fancy/dirty shoes should be put in shoe bags and if you don't have them, you should invest in them because they are amazing. Then tuck shoes and belts into the mesh pockets. Put your toiletries (because it's carry-on, all have liquids must be 3 oz. or less) into your one quart bag. Double bag this into a one gallon bag, throwing your toothbrush into the one gallon bag. Toss in comb and brush.
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| (see? new suitcase, with less space, actually. and my foot.) |
For my carry-on "purse" I try to throw in just the essentials. Electronic cords go into the outside zippered pouch of my suitcase. I keep my hotel confirmation with me, as well as a few vouchers (british for coupon) to some restaurants I looked up. I also keep a moleskine for my thoughts, a moleskine guidebook so I can know where I'm going without feeling too embarrassed, my daybook, my iPod, my camera (not pictured), my wallet, my passport, some currency, my glasses, a magazine, my Kindle, and probably a book. This will go in my laptop bag/messanger bag (also not pictured). oh! and some gum, because it helps the ear-popping process go a bit easier (another trick from my mom, when I was a little kid and close to tears on the way to California because my ears wouldn't pop)
Other tips and tricks for flying internationally:
1) Wear a fresh shirt on a red-eye flight.
It sounds like common sense, but the last thing you want when you get off a plane in the morning is to be wearing the SAME shirt you've been wearing for over 24 hours. I'm not saying you have to change in the airport bathroom, just put on a fresh shirt before you leave the house.
2) Be prepared to whip out your glasses (only applies to fellow contact-wearers)
You know why.
3) Bring your sunglasses
Nothing says "leave me the hell alone" on an airplane like "sleeping" with your sunglasses on. Plug into your iPod (another must), slide on your shades, and go to your happy place. And on that note:
4) Go to sleep. Even if you have to force yourself.
I cannot sleep on planes. It's something about the altitude, I dunno. But this also means that I have the WORST jetlag. EVER. So this time around, I'm buying me some Nyquil at the duty-free and chugging that sucker before (not all of it, I'm not that crazy) I get aboard the flight. Don't drink soda, don't eat a full meal, don't turn on a movie. GO. TO. SLEEP.
**An utter sidenote, slight rant (Mama, stop now if you want to protect any tender sensibilities you may have)
In preparation for this trip, I bought condoms. Not because I'm the sort of girl to have a short fling/one-night-off thing. Not that there is anything wrong with girls that are, it's just not my style. In fact, I'm 99.99999 (repeating) % positive that there will be no hanky-panky of any sort whatsoever on this trip.
HOWEVER, despite never being a girl scout (or boy scout), I like to be prepared. I think it's pretty silly for a girl to rely on a guy (particularly a random guy) to provide the protection when she is just as able to go to the store and purchase some herself.
This attitude in mind, I was a little upset and unnerved by the looks I got from women. Women mind you, not men. The woman in front of me in line with her young daughter kept looking at me like I was some slutty pariah, casting me side-long glances. And when I say she had a young daughter, I mean the kid was teething.
Now, I had hoped (rather innocently, I'm sure) that we lived in world where we are all a bit more accepting of people's sexual practices, whatever they may be and whomever they are with. I would also hope that we would applaud young women who take control of their OWN safety and protection rather than leaving it to some guy and/or the fates.
I do not believe, under any circumstance, that sex is something to be cavalier about. Which is why I'd rather buy myself condoms while blushing a shade of red that stoplights would be proud of and be safe and sure of my own destiny, then be bullied and cowed by preconceived notions of what is socially appropriate.
And that's all I have to say about that.
