New Site

I added a new site to the Greece/Italy links on the left. It's called The Art of Non-Conformity, unconventional strategies for Life, Work, and Travel. Check it out. It's a hoot.

Finished Packing

Today we finished our packing. Concetta and I use a rolling duffel bag as our main piece of luggage. These soft-sided carriers, we think, are best because they compress easily when the Schwarzenegger-like guys loading the bags on the plane throw eleven tons of luggage on top of them. The have a number of side pockets for easy access, double zippers for locking said zippers closed, and a rhinoceros-like canvas hide that stands up pretty well to abuse. Our particular bags have a lower zipper compartment for things you want to keep basically flat like sport coats or slacks. The compartment is about four inches deep which accommodates lots of stuff. The upper duffel part easily holds all the shirts and pants you need. I put my socks and underwear in the zippered side compartments. For our carry-on luggage we use a small case that measures about eighteen inches square and eight inches deep. In mine I can easily put the laptop, the camera equipment, and all of the various power cords and related electronic wires, gadgets, and gizmos for the phones, etc. This little bag also has rollers and a handle to make them easy to move them down the jetway. We both also carry a purse-like bag for our reading books, ear phones, and other important items that you'll always need on the plane. So, there you have it. We're all packed and ready to roll, literally.

Packing at LAST!

I wanted to start packing ages ago, but for some reason today is the day it actually happened. My target weight for checked luggage is 50 pounds, no more. I know that U.S. airlines tend to allow you 60 pounds, but some European carriers only allow 50. To keep from having to feverishly throw things away in some airport lounge, I stay with 50. That also keeps me from bringing home souvenirs which will ultimately end up in next year's garage sale. For the first time on this trip I'm trying out vacuum bags, which are the plastic bags in which you stuff your clothes and then vacuum out all the air to make them take up less space. They require a little patience (which I lack when dealing with such things) but do seem to save space. You only have to worry about them getting an air leak, expanding to their original size, and causing your bag to explode in the cargo hold of the plane! Just kidding. No, if you can stand the irritation of trying to squirrel four or five shirts into one of these skinny plastic bags, then rolling them up to force out the air, it's probably worth your time. So, as we speak, I've got everything in my bag except for a couple of small items and it weighs in at 46 pounds. Right on! Now to tackle the carry-on luggage.