I leave on vacation later this week – and so tonight was the designated “packing night” and I have to say that I’m simultaneously happy and unhappy with the results of my effort.
Honestly my serious photography hobby has thrown a wrench into my plans and is, unfortunately, causing me to take my big suitcase instead of my small suitcase – and the principal wrench is actually my combination of destinations and plans.
The backpack behind the suitcase is my marvelous all-in-one camera and computer bag – not only can it carry my camera, lenses, and tripod head, it can carry my laptop computer and is perfect for carrying on – which is what I intend to do with it because I’m not going to check any of the aforementioned items.
However, on this trip I am going places where that bag will be too big to be carried in – so I need another bag to carry the camera on special days – and that’s now inside my big suitcase (currently stuffed with socks and underwear). I tried putting it in my regular small suitcase but realized that that inside my small suitcase left me room for… uh… nothing but a couple of shirts.
The big suitcase is, though, too big. It’s not full and I’m now concerned that things are going to roll around inside the suitcase and get damaged – but I don’t want to put too much into it because I plan on buying some blue jeans and shirts at Goodwill while I’m in the States.
I suppose, ultimately, that these are first world problems and that I’m kvetching about trivial things.
Adamo,
Hi! Looking forward like crazy to your visit in Bloomington!!!
Friend Rex
My trick when I’m packing a half-empty suitcase: Balloons in a pillow case. They weigh nothing and keep everything in place. I quite often do a bit of extra shopping when I’m in the US or in Asia and the large suitcase I used before buying my current one was terrible at securing clothes when half-empty. The balloons did just the trick and I love to imagine what the DHS thought when they opened the case! 🙂
Have a good holiday! 🙂
I hope one of those Ritter Sports is for me! 🙂
I can just imagine the scare when a balloon pops while your luggage is being examined! Interesting idea, though.
Reko – I’m excited to see you as well!
Emily – the balloon idea is a good one — and next time I’ll use it. This time I just exploded what I had and bought lots of chocolate, which will not be coming back to Germany.
MT – Naturally.
Mateo – I would assume that the balloon isn’t fully inflated, thus giving it room to expand as the air pressure drops…
Heh. Photography equipment has seriously impacted my travel flexibility and earned oodles of frustrated sighs and rolled eyes from the missus. I feel your gear pain.
I need to think a lot more carefully about what I want (and/or need) to bring with me on each trip. That said, my tripod has been useful on this trip, just not every day!