Monday, April 11, 2011

Travel

I'm planning a short (5 day) trip to visit my son. I had planned on taking only enough for my carry-on bag. Once I started packing, I realized one bag would not be enough.

First, there's the restriction on liquids. You can only carry 3 oz. bottles and only enough bottles to fit into a quart sized Ziploc bag. I don't know about you, but for me, it takes a lot of lotions, shampoos, conditioners, soaps to maintain that youthful, natural look. Add to that, we've had a long, hard, cold winter that required the heater running all the time and drying the air. I need lots of special creams and lotions, then I need the special shampoo for color treated hair, the moisturizing body soap and special moisturizing face soap. Of course, I have to bring along my nail polish in case I get a chip in my manicure. That doesn't include the make-up. Fortunately, hotels now provide a hair dryer, but I still have to bring my curling iron and shower cap so I don't have to wash and dry my hair every day.

Then, as I packed, I realized I'd be bringing my computer, cell phone, camera, I-pod and Kindle. They all need their own chargers.

April is a very funny month. You never know what the weather will be like. It's cool now, I need a coat; next week it may be warmer. I need both long and short sleeve tops. Should I prepare for rain or take my chances on sunshine? I have to take an umbrella and sunglasses. Then, there's the problem of shoes. I need shoes for walking and also something nice. I need shoes that can be easily slipped on and off for security.

It's time to move to the next size in luggage which is just slightly larger than the standard for carry-on. All my electronics will be in my carry-on and my shoes and cosmetics (my lab as I like to call them) will be checked. There may be a little room for some clothes to wear.

I could make it easier on myself if I were willing to live for a week with tight, dry skin that flakes and didn't need to take some "just in case" clothes or if I were willing to live without my computer, cell phone or a good book to read on my Kindle. Unfortunately, I'm spoiled.

It isn't easy being a spoiled, "girl". Now I know why I prefer to drive to vacation destinations. There is no restriction on the amount of "necessities" I can bring with me.

2 comments:

BetteJo said...

Um .. ask your son to have an extra umbrella available. :) That can be one less thing!

Snooty Primadona said...

Amen to that! The older we get, the more liquids we need. Don't those people understand that?

Confession: I've never in my entire 58 years gone on a plane with just a carry-on. I need what I need & I have to take a big bag. Okay, maybe I don't but I want it!

I prefer to drive too.