TRAVEL HAPPY

packing with four seasons in mind

What does it take to pack for four seasons?    With the various limits on weight and size among airlines, circling the globe can make my packin' head spin.  Layers and  lite ducky down is the way to go, but what about the sleeping bag?  My pillow?   Where is that going?  How about the piles of tanks, long sleeves, sweaters, jackets, coats and patagonia thin layers?  Do I really need them all? I'm going for an extended period ya know.

Something to know about me, once  I rode 500 miles in a week from Minnesota to Chicago on a bike with a bike bag, two water bottles, jacket and a lock.  It was within the first five miles, that I knew that the contents in my handle bar mounted bike bag  had to go and that extra water bottle.  I remember the moment, when I trashed the bag too. I felt free and light. 

It's kinda that way with my package.  I shed shirts and shoes, toss towels, leave behind my layers, early and often. This time I want to do it smartly and sustainably. 

I have two weeks to figure it out? Who stays and who gets to  go?  Time for a new bag, or with my record of tossing, I might have room for timely purchases.  so I can take off and travel happy!

souvenirs left behind - pack to travel for more than one month

To travel around the world and carry all the essentials is a daunting task.  Just answering the question, what is essential? - may propel you into a tizzy.  Then, take a deep long breath here, to add souvenirs to your pack, when you need to carry, cart, roll your luggage over rough terrain, up  three flights of stairs or on your back, can put you over your limit. 

 I use one kangaroo suitcase, marketed as the Meridian Osprey.  I bought it at REI, San Francisco in the "used" section of the store for $90. It retails around $319. It is the toughest, strongest, heavy duty-est case, I own.  Had to get over the ruby red color, and it was worth it. The big lower case houses, two pairs of socks, four shirts,  two trousers, my chartreuse raincoat and fleece, one dress up outfit, pajamas, two pairs of shoes and various sundries.  Everything must dry overnight. The top part usually houses wires, adapters, travel papers and art supplies.  Thats it. 

Most times, I become enamored by  local artifacts - I buy one, say I'm going to send it, never get around to the post, move it around in my suitcase, and leave it on the bed of a hotel with a note for housekeeping.  

the new mobile home - 26 beds in 31 days

To get myself psyched to travel for a extended amount of time, meaning one year or maybe two , I tried the mindset - "Home is where I'm at." Little did I know, that over 200 beds were in my future.

The most rigorous route -Capetown, South Africa to Livingstone, Zambia- I slept in 26 beds in 31 days. - You will want to come back to this one. . . it includes an armed escort, Robert Redford look alike, the time I slept with others. warthogs and more. . .

This is one of my rooms at the Sofitel Hanoi, Vietnam. will update with 2 person tent to get you in the mood.

what to do with my pet? And what if I get clawed, bit or scratched by a monkey?

 

I'm traveling for a month.  What will I do with my pet?  And should I get the rabies series vaccine for my trip?   Only you know the answer to both of these questions.   First, your pet needs a home where he can be himself and be loved.   On my  month long to Europe, I left my cat Myron with a  house sitter. Myron had a nervous breakdown. He lost hair, cried into the night and developed a hyperactive thyroid.  I didn't investigate the best for Myron.  He needed nurturing and love. He got fed and his litter box cleaned.  -Not enough.  Bottomline, my  house-sitter was not an appropriate pet sitter.  Myron survived, and I learned my lesson to interview and hire a specialist.

Rabies-  Why get the series, if you have to get a rabies shot within 24hrs anyway?  Because you will only need  2 shots within 3 days on your trip and thus not delay your further travel.  Rabies shots take 30 days to complete, so if you are on a time schedule and don't want to be delayed in a country,  then get the first 3 shots BEFORE you go. If you get scratched by a monkey, bit  by a bird, cornered and clawed by a raccoon, you will only need an immune globulin shot and one more rabies shot.  Don't go MAD  with rabies . . . travel happy- senses wide open.

Scan through magazines looking at the pictures? - This blog is for you!

Happy Travel is for you IF . . . . you're into picture books or love to cut and paste. Most posts are 300 words or less, otherwise they will be tucked into the essay section. Posts always come with a photo , image illustration, collage collection or at a minimum a doodle.

The photo is a moonrise over the desert in Namibia, where the sand dunes met the petrified mountains.