Leaving for London
You know what I love about packing? No, it's not trying to decide what you're going to need in a country you've never been to; no, it's not trying to anticipate what the weather's going to be (long sleeves or short?) no, it's not trying to remember what goes with what in your closet; no, it it's not trying to guess if that favorite pair of pants or dress still fits :/ .
My favorite part of packing is that I get to clean out my closet.
Since it's my habit to try everything on before I haul it across the ocean to another continent, only to realize it's too tight or too short or I forgot that it was missing that (essential) button (yes, this is the voice of experience speaking); since I try it all on every time, and since every trip and every region of every country and is unique, I'm usually pulling from different regions of my closet. So if it is, indeed, too tight or if it's too short if it shrunk 'cause Mr. C was helping out with the laundry and dried it on high, or if it's missing that (essential) button.........then it gets purged. As I'm packing my bag, I'm also packing a bag to donate to Goodwill or wherever. It's two birds, just the one stone.
This trip is exciting to me, though. It's a first. Because we have just two or three destinations, instead of 10 or 12 or 13, I get to take, not just one, but two entire suitcases this time! We'll spend a week in London (stop #1); and then head straight to the cruise ship (stop #2); with one quick overnight on the way back to London (last stop #3).
It's all about how many times you have to schlep that bag. So it's the first time I've not had to pack with "packing light" as the top priority. I'm taking one entire bag with cocktail dresses for the cruise ship ~ what a treat! Particularly after the last trip (Ecuador & Peru) where the bug spray for the jungle and sunscreen for the Galapagos and the sea sick pills and the malaria pills for the jungle and the altitude sickness pills for Machu Picchu took up nearly half of my one bag!
So here we go ~ can you believe it ~ this one small carry on bag contains 18 cocktail dresses (didn't know I'd collected so many over the past few years) (and good thing I've stayed the same size for so many years); complete with jewelry for each dress (same thing here ~ it seems I don't ever throw this stuff out) and 5 pairs of high heels and 3 small dinner purses. Wow. I should really teach a class on packing for a trip, don't you think???
Or maybe I should just write a blog...........
I know Mr. C does not do your laundry.
ReplyDeleteWell, not on purpose at least. But sometimes my delicate things get in with his, and a hot dryer does them no favors!
DeleteI think I prefer the trip where the cocktail dresses are necessary and not the bug spray, malaria pills and altitude pills!
ReplyDeleteCant wait to read all about your adventures and see the pictures!
Yes, I hear ya. Cocktail dresses are definitely more fun! But without the bug spray trip we'd miss things like amazing Machu Picchu and the fabulous Galapagos Islands, so.......I guess my best thing is to alternate ~
DeletePoint well taken! You certainly have variety of adventure in your life which makes reading your blog my favorite blog ever!
DeleteSo excited for you guys!!!
ReplyDeleteKaren S ~ Reno, NV
I've been so excited about this one, Karen. For all kinds of reasons!
DeleteHave a wonderful time!
ReplyDeleteCarolyn B ~ Visalia, CA
Thanks my dear. We usually do have a wonderful time. Lots to see, and we hear there's lots of great fine dining in this fine city.
DeleteIs this the Baltic Cruise?
ReplyDeleteCarol C
Yes, Carol it is. First a week in London, then we get on the "boat" for two weeks.
DeleteCan't wait to hear about your cruise. If I remember correctly its the one we want to take only I will spend my first few days in Wales (I'm Welsh) & a few days in Denmark ( the other 1/2 of me is Danish).
DeleteCarl C
I'll be posting pretty regularly, 'cause we have several "at sea" days. So follow along.
DeleteYour agenda sounds wonderful! Doing the heritage thing is always special, I think. I'll look forward to hearing about it.
Wooohoooo, have a great time!
ReplyDeleteMary C ~ Fresno, CA
Will do, Mary. Follow along, I'll tell you all about it along the way!
DeleteEnjoy! We were there in February. Check out Heddon Street Kitchen or Maze Grill. Both awesome restaurants by Gordon Ramsay 😘
ReplyDeleteSusan A ~ CA
Mr. C's got reservations at one of Ramsay's restaurants -- Petrus, I think. We're going to need lots and lots of walking to keep ahead of all this fine dining! It's one of the things we love best about travel, though ~ the opportunity to dine all around the globe. It's awesome!
DeleteWow are you coming to Wales? X
ReplyDeleteGillian Sutton ~ UK
Wish we could, Gillian! It would be great to see you again! And to think we met in the Amazon jungle.......
ReplyDeleteHave a great trip!
ReplyDeleteZoe B ~ UK
Will do, Zoe, thank you. You know, we came close to needing a nurse today......while leaving the museum, Steve whacked me in the face with the end of the umbrella as he was putting on his coat -- a little to the left and I think I would have had a broken nose to start the trip........Not so great for blog pictures, eh?? Glad we didn't have to look you up! HA!
DeleteExcited for you!
ReplyDeleteDianna L ~ Ft. Collins, CO
Thanks, Dianna! We are looking forward to it on so many levels!
Delete