So What's it Like to Travel? Packing & Material Goods

D.J. Gaskin of Burke, Virginia asks whether I packed more or less than I needed or wanted and whether or not there were any big surprises.

Let's get one thing straight fom the beginning. I know I have too much stuff! I have sent back three or four boxes of stuff -- some being clothing the weather in Asia does not call for, such as jeans and long-sleeve shirts; some being new purchases; and some being apparently uncrucial goods. And each time I have to move my two suitcases, I look at them and say, "What can I get rid of?" and each time I make a case for the usefulness and even necessity of every item. In my defense, I believe I have used everything -- OK, almost everything -- I brought. I still haven't played chess with anyone, but by jove if it pours rain three days straight at a Thai beach, I'll be very popular! (Like when I was on a jury and we were sequestered for hours and not allowed to discuss the case yet. I happened to have a deck of cards in my purse -- yeah, I've been doing the contingency thing for years -- and was highly regarded by the other jurists thereafter.) And there are several ailments that, believe it or not, I've been able to avoid, so those parts of the medical kit have been untouched. But I've used all the shoes, the rainpants, the doorstop alarm, the flashlight, and even the cute little clothesline.

In Asia it was clear that I needed different clothing than I had with me; and I had even anticipated that I would just buy what I needed here. But when I tried to buy some loose, lightweight, and long pants in Thailand, I discovered that my B.O.B. (big ole butt) does not fit into even the size Large here! And I've lost weight, too! Even the shirts were a loss to me as I hunted for a simple loose cotton shirt with short sleeves. Let's face it, I don't have an Asian shape. Vendors kept directing me to large men's shirts! So, I've made do with sarongs that do manage to wrap all the way around me (and better anyway when faced with a squat toilet) and in Cambodia I found two silk shirts that are loose enough so as to be both appropriate and able to hide my neck "safe." I've found that not only is this style of dressing cooler and culturally appropriate, I can sometimes fake that I am living in that city instead of being a tourist.

Good Idea/Bad Idea: Among the good ideas was not packing the laptop (even though it would mean getting these stories up a lot sooner!). I can’t imagine carrying that in addition to the too much I already carry or being worried about it being stolen all the time – who needs that?! Other good ideas: the tea bag assortment (decaffeinated tea is not easy to find), and the convertible pants.

Bad Ideas – using a twin sheet to make a sleep sack; not washing the black camp towel several times before using (black lint all over my freshly-laundered self); and bringing along a wimpy daypack to do a yeoman’s job.

Most Versatile Article of Clothing Award: There are several contestants in this contest -- the aforementioned lightweight, convertible pants which can turn into shorts with two quick zips; the faded black denim shirt that can be worn solo or as a jacket; the black clogs that were the only shoes I could wear for two months after the mentioned-too-often toe break; the shower shoes which assure me that my feet will never touch anything disgusting or contagious; the blue capri pants with the zippered pockets that are long enough to be appropriate, but short enough to not be hot, and the zippered pockets allow for security of carried goods; and the kimono which doubles as a bathrobe when I'm using a shared bathroom or visiting in a private home and can also be a nice jacket. The award goes to (insert drum roll here)

the Faded Black Denim Shirt! FBDS has been sighted regularly on this journey, proving it’s ultimate worthiness by virtue of it’s amazing climate control properties. It can be worn with the sleeves buttoned, unbuttoned, rolled once, rolled twice. It can be worn alone or over another shirt open, buttoned up the front and untucked, or buttoned and tucked – all with sleeve variations added in.

The first runner-up -- which will serve if and when the FBDS -- cannot are

The black clogs! A sentimental favorite since they kept my foot safe and have prevented me from numerous toe-stubbings that might have otherwise happened, the clogs are easy to slip in and out of (useful for temple visits), can raise me above mud and water, and if cleaned, can go out for the evening after they've walked all over the city.

I confess, however, that when I first wrote this I was in Australia. I have not yet worn the beloved FBDS in Asia. I do not yet have a new nomination, but will keep you posted. In the meantime, I am looking once more at my stuff and preparing yet another box to send home. At soem point I won't have to apologize to the luggage handlers any more.