Saturday, December 31, 2011

Why Packing a Pain

I am so glad we started packing yesterday.  There is always so much to do before a long trip:  pay bills, clean the refrigerator, clean house and close things down.  The flowers and tomato plants are with the babysitter (Patricia, you get the first tomatoes!!!) and there are always last minute emergencies like a water leak under the kitchen sink.

The packing saga starts with a well thought out plan of attack:  take everything that will fit in the suitcase.  Then you start to winnow the selection down.  I always take sundries, drugs, and anything else I might need but would have a hard time finding in a foreign country.  After all, this is a luxury cruise line and I do want my luxuries.  We have two large suitcases and two smaller ones.  We are allowed two bags each, each weighing no more than 50 pounds.  It is not fair that the larger suitcases get to 50 pounds way before they are full.  So we play the suitcase roulette trying to distribute the weight.  The smaller of the small suitcases only weighed 30 pounds and was FULL.  We were cheated out of 20 pounds!  So it was off to Costco to buy a larger suitcase. 

The next problem we had to solve was the carry-on luggage.  My rollaboard weighed 22 pounds and wasn't even full.  Now my one personal item is a large tote bag that is crammed full of everything that caused the rollaboard to be too heavy.  Therefore, I cannot even lift the tote.  Once we get checked in, I plan on shifting stuff from the tote to the rollaboard.  What a ridiculous game we have to play.  So my advice to those who travel to foreign lands where you need clothes for hot weather, cold weather and dress up is to use your husband's half of one bag because he certainly doesn't need that many pairs of matching shoes and accessories. 

We are off tomorrow morning to fly out of LAX to Santiago, Chile.  It is an 11 hour overnight flight that I am dreading.  I have never been able to sleep on a plane and seeing as how I can't even get a decent night's sleep in my own bed...well there is no hope. 

WISHING EVERYONE A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year to you & Michael as well. Have a safe and wonderful journey. We look forward to your blogs and hearing about your travels. Take care and God Bless,
Delores & Marv

Anonymous said...

Have a wonderful new year, Beverly! Are there wonderful yarn shops in Chile? If you don't know, I'm sure you'll find out. I am looking forward to reading your blog. How long are you going to be gone this time?

Suzanne

Michael said...

Hey, I need my other half of the suitcase back ��

Anonymous said...

We will be interested in your Blog because we hope to visit there in the future.
Happy New Year.

Gerald and Ima Kansas Friends

Anonymous said...

Michael & Beverly
I know you will have a great adventure. I look forward to
reading your travel blog.
Many thanks again for the nice Christmas Dinner.
Roxanne

Anonymous said...

. . . and Happy New Year. I Worked until 3:00 a.m.
this morning. Lounging day for me.
Roxanne

Anonymous said...

Glad you're having a "Happy New Year"! I've not ever cruised yet bit I hope to some day.

Sorry to hear about all the luggage games; what a bummer but it will only get better. Have fun for me too! God Bless

Cousin Karen :)