I used to blog more about my trip planning. Maybe I’m just too lazy to write as much! Who knows?
But trip plans have been going on for quite some time. Flights were booked quite a while back. Trains were booked as well. Even one bus. Hotels are reserved. And now I’ve managed to do a number of restaurants. One area we are visiting has few options and I didn’t want to end up doing what one blogger had to do — going to a local store and buying food to eat in his room. And then, because we’ll be on a walk, restaurants for that week had to be reserved since the area gets crowded and people get turned away from eating establishments. Even simple, pub-like places take reservations, wouldn’t you know?
So the numbers:
Flights: four Trains: fifteen, including one overnight train Bus: one Rental car: eight days Lodging I reserved: fourteen Lodging for the walk, reserved by the company I chose: seven Restaurants reserved: twelve
Yep, lots of planning. Tons of research. And oh such fun! (No, I’m not being sarcastic.)
Flights, trains, and the bus are paid for, as is some of the lodging. The walk has also been fully paid for. I like getting some things paid up front so that we don’t have a crazy high bill when we get home. But who am I kidding? It’ll still be crazy high!
I’ve done my “trial packing” and it might stay as it is, but I have to wait and see what Dan does. If he moves from the Osprey backpack to roller luggage I will end up doing the same. Men’s clothes are more cumbersome, and so is all of his camera gear. While we prefer to do carryon, sometimes it’s simply not possible. I’m fine with whatever happens — our flights allow for checked luggage so there’s no fee added.
Prior to our departure, which is Monday, I have two performances of La Traviata to play (the end of my tenure with OSJ!), and four students to teach. Plus I have to straighten up the house and, the morning we leave, wash all the linens for our house guest. Better busy than bored, I always say!
Have I selected my capsule wardrobe? Did I use the Sudoku method. Wellllll … maybe.
But okay, I sort of cheated: I added one more pair of ultra-light pants since we are doing a week-long walk and I know I might get those pants too dirty to wear in public aside from the walks, and I added one more very lightweight top that may or may not be removed before I finally zip the backpack up. The colors you see in the photo are a bit off, but close enough for me not to tweak things. Boring? Maybe. But comfortable and a good variety for cold or more temperate weather. Of course you don’t see pjs, socks, and underwear in this photo. Nor do you see the extra pair of shoes that look a bit nicer in case we go out to something that feels like it calls for something other than the shoes I will use most of the time.
The things that cause weight issues aren’t these clothes (the row with the black and beige “shacket”, black pants, and gold-ish colored top on the right will be worn on the plane, along with the heavier pair of shoes I have). (And hey, Woolx, You are the “all of it” aside from the puffer jacket above!) It’s all the rest of the stuff I have to bring.
There’s the toiletries bag, but honestly I don’t bring all that much! I don’t wear makeup, and I don’t bring soap or shampoo. (Side note: I cannot believe what some women have to bring on a trip. The amount of “product” is astounding. Good thing I’m too lazy to bother with makeup!) But I do need toothpaste and our electric toothbrush and brushes (I carry both mine and Dan’s as it all fits into a case). I have a lightweight brush and comb, and a couple of barrettes and hair bands. There’s sunscreen and deodorant, of course, and … gosh it alljust gets heavier than you might imagine.
And then … we are going to places where we might be in wind and rain, so I have to add a rain jacket, rain pants, and a rain hat. I have to bring a little bag of things I hope not to use — like a trowel if I have to “create” my own bathroom (yeah, really), wipes, and fun things like that. It would be lovely if that bag never gets opened. I’m happy to say it didn’t when we did our Portugal walk, and our walks this time are shorter than those so I will remain hopeful.
Still, it just amazes me how heavy things are once I put it all together. I just might have to pull a few things out. Time will tell.
Maybe I’ll nix my wool scarf. I’m sure that will make the load much lighter. Heh.
We’ve had a trip planned for quite a while. Flights have been purchased. (And how we hope nothing gets canceled, but we have to be ready, of course.) Trains are scheduled, along with one bus.
About these trains! What an adventure that is!
Some trains were purchased early. Possibly too early — the prices could have dropped more, who knows? Some were purchased late because they only became available later. Some that I thought would be a straight shot ended up with a transfer. Two then turned out to include a few hours in towns where we can spend a bit of time in before moving on. One was split in two not because I opted to do it but because that particular train company said “it’s cheaper if you split this in two but you can stay in the same seats and same train.” Okay then. On one day we have three trains to take, each leg being with a different train company. (The UK has a LOT of train companies!)
Oooh … guess I just gave you a clue about where we are headed, eh?
But we aren’t headed there quite yet: I have four more opera performances (La Traviata, to be precise), and a few more lessons to teach. When we do board our first plane I plan on a celebratory glass of bubbly: retirement will have been achieved!
Meanwhile, I’m not only packing in my head (which I do for months), but I’m starting to set things out to get a feel for what I must bring, what I should bring, and what I want to bring. The must column will certainly go in the pack. The should list probably will. The wants? Well, that all depends upon weight!
Speaking of weight … yes, I weigh things. A lot. I was thinking of bringing certain pants, but then I weighed those and compared to some new ones I’m feeling are working well and nixed that first pair. I weigh shoes in order to decide which pair I’ll pack (only two pair of shoes for this trip). I weigh purses to choose just one. I weigh underwear and socks. I weigh … well … everything. Because every ounce counts!
But in any case, things are getting set out (currently on top of my printers), so I can get a handle on the all of it. It looks like a lot, but things will get put inside packing cubes and it’s amazing how it all fits. Most everything is merino wool, and that fabric can easily be rolled and squished and still come out looking pretty darn nice.
What a mess, eh? But no worries, it’ll all get sorted!
I’m attempting to use the Sudoku Method for packing this time. Heard of it? After putting it together three of these items (one of each — top, bottom, layer) will be worn on the plane which cuts down, obviously on what gets packed.
When I make the final choices I’ll try to take a photo to show people what I’ve opted to choose. Maybe. Sort of. Unless I cheat.
I would love to say we can manage with carryon only, but we are on one smaller plane going to and from one country, God willing: those are the flights most likely to get canceled because of this abomination of a war someone in our country jumped into on a whim. Sigh. Those little planes are also much more picky about weight and we might not be able to keep our bags as light as they require. 10kg … can we do it? Dunno! That’s 22 pounds, and honestly I really don’t want to carry more than that on my back in any case. The carryon bag/suitcase/pack has to measure 21,5″ x 15.5″ x 9.5″ and for that I’m okay. But then the personal item can only be 15.5″ x 11.5″ x 8″. Mine is 16″ x 12″ x 5″. So the big question is just how picky are they and am I willing to take a chance? I’ll have to ponder that. Or buy a new personal size bag. I’ve been reading up and it appears I’ll probably be fine but …??
So what else has been done or needs to be done?
Well, today we got Covid shots and then drove to get our International Driving Permits. We have a house sitter who can stay here, as well as neighbors who always keep an eye on our place. Mail has been stopped for a month (and then I have to stop it again since we are gone for other a month). Our house sitter can collect a stack of what I’m sure will mostly be junk mail when that first stop comes to an end. Well, junk mail and all the money people are going to send me because they want to sponsor the trip. Right?
RIGHT!!! (I can hear you all agreeing with me. So thanks!)
