Travel Lean with Aveline
This is it. The BIG committment.
I plan to travel for 96 days with only carry on luggage.
Yes, you read correctly. In fact, not even the largest size of carry on (115cm) but one bag that is 105cm in total dimensions (adding the width, length, and depth of the bag). The Tom Bihn Tristar bag in this' blog entry's picture, in fact.
And it seems I have fallen into crazy old lady ways by choosing the purple one - sorry, Aubergine, because that is naturally far less crazy!
I have always liked the appeal of keeping it simple, ever since my trip to China in 2007, when our tour guide travelled with an over-the-shoulder small tote for a month. I don't think I even imagined it was possible until that point. But the reality is that what you need for 2 weeks of travel is about the same as what you need for 3 months. You just need to do laundry along the way!
And learn to let go. You see, one bag travel is not just a practical solution to lost luggage, airport delays and having to tip porters. It is a philosophy in itself!
Interested? This guy is the guru of all things one-bag. http://www.onebag.com/ And I really should read more of his advice before I dash off to buy things only to find they are too heavy, bulky, or expensive compared to his suggestions! He keeps it simple - and I agree with him that the most valuable thing you will ever pack is a sarong (think towel, sheet, dressing gown, curtain, pillow case...)
Of course for the modern woman, the key pain points in fitting life all into one bag are toiletries and electronics. I have managed to get the former all into one clear zip pack. I did have to sacrifice taking my own shower gel in favour of more hair conditioner, but it fits in, along with the three face potions, a face scrub, shower cap and more. The secret is having the "honest talk". It goes like this:
A1: "Aveline?"
A2: "Yes oh wiser Aveline?"
A1: "If you never brush your hair, but always comb it, why are you packing a brush?"
A2: "Uh... because it's a little travel brush - it collapses in on itself, look! It's so cool!"
A1: *raises one eyebrow*
A2: "And I might want to brush my hair? Or blow dry it? Maybe?"
A1: "And when did you last blow dry your hair on holidays?"
A2: "Well... *thinks hard* I'm sure I have, once, maybe..."
So, not much value to the brush for me if I'm honest, but the lip balm for those cold-impacted chapped lips and the hand cream for all that train and plane travel - they are in the bag! But you should take the brush if you will use it, just leave behind what you don't use to make room for it. It was a matter of thinking about the minimum that I use - the things that I would feel uncomfortable not having.
And as for the electronics. I felt a right twit not knowing that my Macbook Air laptop had a charger that could be disassembled to be half its size. Then you can remove and change the plug according to where in the world you are. The iPhone and Kindle both charge via USB from the laptop, so in essence I only need the one set of plugs. However, in anticipation of having to charge everything at the same time, I have also packed my Victorinox multi-plug adaptor. Not only is it a nifty little way of dealing with different power plugs, but it has a USB port on it as well. So it can double as a phone and e-reader charger. Done!
The only other things in the bag are a spare pair of shoes, thongs (of the flip flop type, non-Aussies!) and clothes that are all layerable - if I'm cold, then I just wear the cami under the long-sleeved Tee, under the short-sleeved tee, under the shirt, under the windcheater, under the rain jacket. It makes me hot just thinking about getting into all that clothing. ;-)
And we're good to go! In theory.
I did manage to fit everything in - although with the toiletries and laptop the bag comes to a hefty 10kg... but there is only that and my handbag. Here's hoping I pass muster. I will let you know how well it works over the next few months. After all, what philosophical use is an aubergine compared to a delectable moussaka?
