The art of packing

I’m heading off on a magical mystery tour. I don’t even know where I’m going yet. But I do know when — on Friday. Which, as I am writing this, is the day after the day after tomorrow.

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I’ve been surfing the web, trying out various options, and expect to decide soon. But there’ll be more of that when I do. Right now, I’m staring at what remains in my suitcase from the last trip I took.

It occurs to me that a lot of it has been with on multiple trips but has never actually made it out of the bag, either while I’ve been away or when I got back.

Some of it is there just in case — like a beach hat and an umbrella — but much of this stuff is just attached to me like a parasite.

So, my plan is to get the bag to empty, then start again with a plan to take only what is necessary.

I say this every time. I’ve even written about it. And, once again, I have googled such terms as “how to pack” and “what to pack”.

Here’s what I’ve come up with:

The essentials which, in my case, is really my wallet, passport and the keys to get back into my flat when I get back home.

Clothes — two pairs of casual trousers (one worn on the day of travel), one formal, four or five casual shirts, one or two long-sleeve shirts, a t-shirt, six or seven pairs of underpants, a few pairs of socks, two pairs of shoes (one casual, one formal; one of them worn, the other packed), a cap or hat. A light jacket and (if heading into a possibly cold or wet place) a heavy jacket.

Health and sanitary items — meds (the usual plus Immodium for emergencies), toothbtush and toothpaste, deodorant, shaving gear, sunscreen (if doing outdoorsy stuff), tissues.

Tech — my laptop and or iPad, and my smartphone, plus my camera. And all the chargers! And some analogue writing material in case the above fails.

Miscellaneous — scissors and sewing kit, sticky tape.

Have I missed anything?

 

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