JUST DOING CARRY-ON

Just doing carry-on …. I did it once before and I am going to do it again.

Travel to Europe for two weeks just with carry-on.  Now you might be saying to yourself – big deal – I have done that tons of times but I know out there among you all there are those who cannot leave home without a whacking big suitcase (and that’s just for a weekend).

So first of all why am I going to do this?  Well a two-week trip to Europe comprised of hotel stays, a cruise, trains, taxis and ferries and a hotel on Lake Como that has 37 cobbled steps leading up to it….

Yup.  That sounds like a good enough reason.  I think it will be a good personal lesson in self-restraint.  Do I really need 6 pairs of shoes?  A different outfit every night?  Really?  The people I am travelling with are family. They have seen me at my worst …. Believe me.

The rest – strangers – ships that pass in the night.  They will never see me again and vice versa.

Next – how am I going to do this.  Packing cubes, wrinkle-resist material and Lululemons and more Lululemons.  A couple of colourful shawls – sparkly Croc flip flops and a good pair of Sketchers.  That should do it?

Oh – but I shouldn’t forget my running shoes just in case, and my swim suit and then maybe a rain jacket, just in case, and a warmer cover-up for the evenings – just in case.  You see what happens.  It just keeps piling up so I am going to have to work very hard at this.  It’s the “just in case” that prevents me from reaching my goal.  How many times have you unpacked unworn clothing after a trip.  You took it along – just in case – dragged it onto cruises, flights, trains and taxis and then brought it all the way home again – UNWORN!

My last carry-on trip worked quite well – two weeks in Ireland on a self drive vacation with a teeny carry on suitcase.  I was quite proud of myself but I also wanted to throw up when I unpacked my clothes at home.  I was so sick of the sight of them.

There is something so liberating about being able to walk off your flight and right out the doors of the airport into a taxi.  No hanging around waiting endlessly for the case on the carousel – just out the door and on my way.  I have also had the experience of travelling with a larger case on European trains.  Yes it can be done but if you are going to catch as many trains as we are then I would rather not.

So all I am worrying about now is getting on the plane in time to get an overhead bin (or two) and a place to put my hat!