Packing

For years I prided myself on my ability to pack a bag and be ready to depart in a matter of minutes.  Some of this was because my bags were perpetually packed. The dopp kit, socks, boxes, etc. all stayed loaded and it was a simple matter of folding a shirt, sport coat and pants with nicer shoes and I was ready. Most of my trips were just overnight and so my needs were basic and easy to predict. I'd taken trips on hours notice and prided myself in my ability.

My current trip is actually 3 trips: back to Illinois for a funeral, then 2 weeks on a Panama Canal cruise, 18 hours back in Chicago, and then off to London for a week. 3 different climates and needs. It has taken me 10 days!

I am embarrassed.

To be fair a cruise entails casual excursions, cocktail lounges, and suitable dress clothes for dinners. Packing for 2 weeks aboard brings with it 3 pairs of shoes, jackets, ties, a swimsuit, shorts, t-shirts, button downs. It is a lot of clothes! I do not want to be under-dressed despite Viking saying that jackets are not required. I'd argue they should be!

After that, London in late November brings its own challenges. Rain. Cold. Damp. A city that is a bit more put together than my home in Door County. Don't get me wrong. I love it. My tweed jacket and Barbour are packed and I can't wait for wool jumper weather. But again, it is a full duffel of clothes for a week. 

And then there is the carryon! Camera? Laptop? Kindle? Chargers? Chapstick? All check. Journals, pens & ink? Packed. 

I'll be gone just less than a month and have 4 full bags packed. Is it a vacation or a military campaign? I'm still not sure. 

But other than putting the dress clothes in the rolling suit bag I think I'm as ready as I'll ever be. I'm still a bit embarrassed, but it is done. Now onward!