Anyone that has travelled with me or has picked me up from the airport understands my excessive packing problem. A weekend in NYC absolutely requires "the coffin". I regularly meet or exceed my 50 pound checked bag allowance (ask anyone how good I am at judging weight just by picking up the bag). I might be a human scale but I am not a pack mule. There is no way I am going to lug around a 50 pound pack. No way, no how. But how does one set out to pack for 9 MONTHS and 9 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES?! I had a panic attack.
Word on the street (or RTW blogs really) is "the longer you go, the less you should take". What? Are you kidding me? Ok, well, I should listen as these people have been there and done that. Off I go to search for the perfect pack to carry...uh...nothing.
I would be lying if I said I hated the trips to REI, Adventure 16, Patagonia, North Face, Magellan's, etc. The fact is, I love these stores. Any reason to shop for an adventure is first on my list of "to-do's". I get such a high hanging around carabiners and dry wick clothing. Weird, I know. Anyway, after buying a few packs, executing trial runs with what I think I will bring and wearing the bag around the house, I realize I really need to take A LOT less with me. The sleeping bag is out, the multiple pairs of pants are out, the hair dryer is out, toiletries are out...the list goes on. I am sad and elated at the same time. I am looking for freedom not things to weigh me down. I can pick up things along the way right? So after my extensive search, I have purchased a very affordable High Sierra Adventure Travel 26" Wheeled Duffel. I wasn't so sure about the wheels but I figured my back and knees will thank me in a few months.
