So its almost 24 hours to launch time... I think I've finished packing (over and over- to get it just right). Im trying to do all carry on again - no checking if I can avoid it. My carryon-class "Rick-Steves" bag is under 8kg (17+ lbs) and my "personal item" 30L day pack with camera, ipod, 2 books, 3lbs of adapter-cables etc, Gortex-jacket, sweater, sketch pad etc, is a bit bulky but all that stuff is heavy anyways. Each trip Im still trying to prune stuff out - off the various "travel light" lists. This time Im bringing an extra 40L pack - for the day hiking (since 30L just might be a bit tight for my camera, rain gear and lunch/drinks we will carry daily - but then 40L is also too big for a "personal item" day pack - even 1/2 filled; so I put it empty in the bottom of my RS bag - a little extra weight I didnt have last time.) I use the packing cube-things too - to make it nice and organized for me and for security... rolled socks and undies in one, rolled t-shirts in another, and one more for long-shirts/sweaters. How long it stays that way after I get there, well...
Anyways - its a learning effort - I will just have to make more tripw to Europe and other places more often to get more practice!! :) I will post my own packing list later on my website if anyone cares... It really does pay to travel lighter if you can - since you dont have as much to lug around - it just takes some effort and change of mind-set that you really dont need sooooo much for 2 weeks or more! My last tour had the whole group follow that model and it really made things more efficient (both on your own and in a group). Im hoping the new 24hr Web-Checkin that Swiss Air uses will help make getting to the gate faster and allow me to bypass the counter. I will let you know how that works out for international. Still have to use a kiosk there for the actual boarding pass (vs printing that out at home like domestic).
Well - now I must go check my "forest" of tomatoes once more before taking off - bumper crops every few days. A wine club friend who lives nearby has offered to collect (and enjoy) my collection of heirlooms for me. Oh, and those of you who must also plant zucchini - ONE plant is more than enough. Im always amazed at how people plant 4-5 and wonder why everyone else is trying to get rid of them, or let them grow to Louisville-Slugger sizes! Unless youre doing the fried-stuffed-flower things like in Rome, 1 be enough. Now, having 12 tomato plants, thats a different story... but now I must away to those tomaotes - so that I can come back and have my gin-&-tonic for happy hour!
Well - now I must go check my "forest" of tomatoes once more before taking off - bumper crops every few days. A wine club friend who lives nearby has offered to collect (and enjoy) my collection of heirlooms for me. Oh, and those of you who must also plant zucchini - ONE plant is more than enough. Im always amazed at how people plant 4-5 and wonder why everyone else is trying to get rid of them, or let them grow to Louisville-Slugger sizes! Unless youre doing the fried-stuffed-flower things like in Rome, 1 be enough. Now, having 12 tomato plants, thats a different story... but now I must away to those tomaotes - so that I can come back and have my gin-&-tonic for happy hour!
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