I’m getting in touch with my inner Obsessive Compulsive. Packing makes travel heaven seem really far away. I writhe, grappling with tormenting, mental lists. How hot could it be in those far latitudes, or will any of those Soviet nights actually freeze over? I toss the tropical, short sleeved number back in my Florida closet because, well, it just seems all too optimistic as summer fades to Fall. More torment. This time, a specter of pants. Long ones. Hanging pants. With grace, I will choose the right pants. They will have lots of pockets for hotel keys or bus tickets or notes from the bartender or coins from the last country we visited that no one will now take.
I talk to Judi, and we decide that unless a long haul traveler is willing to sleep in chosen clothing, the wardrobe doesn’t pass the comfort test. Without that qualification, a garment does not go into the suitcase for its judgment at the security gates. Out, dry cleanable spot of cloth. That was easy, and my packing hands are now clean.
Speaking of security. Just how much gel and liquid can I force into this clear plastic bag? Armed by no math skills whatsoever, I believe that I will make large volumes of personal effects occupy an unreasonably small space in the allowable, clear plastic container.
“What do you think you HAVE to bring?” roared the demonic voice in my head. “Oh, enough…”
I waffle, as I look over a splay of enough personal medical supplies to rescue a Red Cross hospital ship in the next Baltic port.
Now for the jewels. What jewels? I have no jewels. Certainly I possess nothing that will rouse Catherine the Great or her heirs from the grave to envy me. But I have vanity. So just inside the suitcase fabric, I tuck a few wooden baubles that I’m not at all afraid to sacrifice to the baggage handler gods.
“Hey, I’m done.” Unless, that is, I sit up in the middle of the night tonight – the dark night that comes before a hopeful journey – with a luggage manqué / night terror.
I’m good.” Bags locked and loaded. Wrap. Wrap? Wrappin’ with a colored ribbon on the bag’s handle at my front door. Ready to go. “Travel heaven ahead!”
notnyet 