Packing
I don't understand why some people think it is a badge of honor to pack very little for long trips. They act like shoving all their belongings into a tiny carry-on and re-wearing the same clothes on their trip is fun. I have been told by friends and acquaintances that they can shove all their belongings into a carry-on and then buy everything else they need when they get there. I ask, "What about purchases you make? Where will they go?" I've been told, "I can buy little things." or "I can shove them in." One guy told me, "I will live very simply."
I feel like the purpose of travelling, or in my case, returning from a life abroad, is to live and get things while I'm there to experience the time I had while I was there. I love fashion from other places, and I would be sad to not take it back with me. I don't want to feel like a vagrant, carrying my home as a turtle does as a shell on my back. I want to have options and live while I am away from my home. If I wear one outfit ten times in two weeks or use unfamiliar products out of necessity, not choice, it seems to not be something I would enjoy. I want my time to be fun. I am not a backpacking college student who needs to hike through Europe. I am allowed by airlines to take multiple bags, so why not do so? Most international travelers are allowed to do so also. Most just do not because they feel it is some kind of rite of passage to not take the extra bags. I had my colleague tell me that he thinks clothing is unnecessary because it doesn't matter. Since we are in clothes all the time, I can think of nothing that matters more. People pay to drink alcohol, but they will not pay to have nice clothes. Washing the same clothes over and over again is not good for them because it causes constant (like every day during a two, three, or four week vacation if one only takes a couple outfits) wear and tear that was not something they were designed for. Further, I don't want to have the same scarf and clothes on all the time, and I am okay with saying that. I won't be clothing shamed for it.
I like to get gifts for people and things I want to take back to remember the place I have visited or lived. If I have only brought a carry on to contain my belongings, how am I going to fit my gifts and my purchases for myself? It means I have to restrain my purchases to size not desire or interest. If I have a suitcase, I can purchase items by what I want, not by how big they are. It is selfish to tell friends and family they got a tiny gift because I didn't want to carry an allowed suitcase because I wanted to look cool and have only a carry on. Even only one suitcase allows flexibility but allows more room for other things like purchases, clothes, etc. It is about the "cool" factor that is not so cool to some people if you get right down to it.
If you want to shove your stuff in a tiny bag and have wrinkled clothing that is in the same picture over and over again from your trip for the rest of your life, okay, but I'm good with variety. It's the spice of life, isn't it? :)
I feel like the purpose of travelling, or in my case, returning from a life abroad, is to live and get things while I'm there to experience the time I had while I was there. I love fashion from other places, and I would be sad to not take it back with me. I don't want to feel like a vagrant, carrying my home as a turtle does as a shell on my back. I want to have options and live while I am away from my home. If I wear one outfit ten times in two weeks or use unfamiliar products out of necessity, not choice, it seems to not be something I would enjoy. I want my time to be fun. I am not a backpacking college student who needs to hike through Europe. I am allowed by airlines to take multiple bags, so why not do so? Most international travelers are allowed to do so also. Most just do not because they feel it is some kind of rite of passage to not take the extra bags. I had my colleague tell me that he thinks clothing is unnecessary because it doesn't matter. Since we are in clothes all the time, I can think of nothing that matters more. People pay to drink alcohol, but they will not pay to have nice clothes. Washing the same clothes over and over again is not good for them because it causes constant (like every day during a two, three, or four week vacation if one only takes a couple outfits) wear and tear that was not something they were designed for. Further, I don't want to have the same scarf and clothes on all the time, and I am okay with saying that. I won't be clothing shamed for it.
I like to get gifts for people and things I want to take back to remember the place I have visited or lived. If I have only brought a carry on to contain my belongings, how am I going to fit my gifts and my purchases for myself? It means I have to restrain my purchases to size not desire or interest. If I have a suitcase, I can purchase items by what I want, not by how big they are. It is selfish to tell friends and family they got a tiny gift because I didn't want to carry an allowed suitcase because I wanted to look cool and have only a carry on. Even only one suitcase allows flexibility but allows more room for other things like purchases, clothes, etc. It is about the "cool" factor that is not so cool to some people if you get right down to it.
If you want to shove your stuff in a tiny bag and have wrinkled clothing that is in the same picture over and over again from your trip for the rest of your life, okay, but I'm good with variety. It's the spice of life, isn't it? :)
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