We usually don't check luggage when we travel and take only what we can pack in our convertible Rick Steves bags. This time, for a stay of a year or more, we figure we might need a little more. After a little Amazon searching, I ordered my first "wheelie" bag--a rolling duffle bag that fits within the 62 linear inches allowed for a checked bag on Lufthansa. It arrived today--looks great! Sturdy, rolls smoothly, and should easily hold the 50 pounds (actually, 43 when you subtract the weight of the bag) which is the maximum weight you can check. Now--what to pack for a long term stay?
Based on our daughter's experiences the past year in France, I plan to bring a set of measuring cups and spoons because it is hard to adjust to using weight for measuring. Since they oddly do not have baking soda in Italy, I will bring some of that also. Other items are easy to decide on like a large bottle of ibuprofen (it costs a LOT in Italy), ditto for generic zyrtec from Costco, extra deoderant (not much choice there) and extra dental floss (hard to find in small villages). But planning a wardrobe for all four seasons and all foreseeable occasions and fitting it into two relatively small bags will be more of a challenge. I started by purging my closet of all work clothes--good-bye suits! good-bye boring silk shells to wear with suits! good-bye pumps and dress shoes! Looks like I will pack 3 light weight fall/summer pants, 2 pairs of capris, 3 heavier winter pants, a black dress, black skirt, dressy blouse, a black raincoat with detachable lining, 3 sweaters, 4 shirts, work-out clothes, gym shoes, black flats, black walking shoes, and black clogs, nightie, toiletries, PJs and slippers, socks & undies, bathing suit & coverup, my i-pod, kindle & laptop, and a bunch of adaptor plugs (just ordered 6 for 9.95 from Amazon). Then we'll see if there is any room left for a few additional clothing items. Perhaps I will be forced to buy some new clothes in Italy--I'll try not to be too upset over that.
If anybody has suggestions for essentials to include on the packing list--let me know.
No comments:
Post a Comment