I wasn't going to go anywhere but I accidentally booked a trip to Europe.
You see, G and A are going to K2 base camp. If you don't know...K2 is the second highest peak in the world and it's in Pakistan. It's a high altitude long trek so I'm not going.
I'll stay at home, I thought.
I may find myself a nice little yoga retreat, maybe In Byron Bay....
But the best laid plans go astray - in a nice way.
I am off to visit number 1 son.
He is in Copenhagen.
I love him and Copenhagen is a nice place, and there is plenty more to see in Denmark I'm sure....
but I thought I should maximise my time over there.
Mmmm, "I'm learning Spanish"....so why don't I go to Spain?
And before you can say "frequent flyer" I was booked in and planning my little heart out.
As you may know, if you book low-cost flights in Europe, checked luggage is an optional extra.
"Hey, I can do without all that big bag stuff" she thinks.
"It will be good for me."
"I won't have to drag a big bag around. No waiting at baggage carousel. I can skippety skip straight of that plane!"
But what bag to take?
I really wanted a backpack as I'm going to be doing a lot of walking, from train stations to accommodations.
My bushwalking pack is 55 litres and not really the right size for carry-on. (How strict are they about size?)
My day pack is 25 litres and day-packy. Long and narrow and can't be locked.
Great excuse to buy something new!
This is what I got -
Osprey Porter 30 litres.
It seems to have everything I need - apart from a drink bottle holder.
Then I did a lot of reading about how to travel light.
I am a just-in-case packer....so I have to get my head around not packing for every contingency.
I guess it comes from years of bushwalking and remote travelling where you might not be able to buy what you forgot/lost/broke.
But this time - yep, Denmark and Spain are very civilised and have SHOPS.
I'm not taking walking boots. I'm just going to be doing tourist walking.
I'm not camping or going somewhere with extreme weather. So no sleeping bag and mat. No thermals, beanies, gloves etc.
I can basically wear the same 2 or 3 tshirts and couple of pairs of pants. Because......
I'll be able to wash them!
Revolutionary, eh?
Let's see how I go.
What I am taking.
2 pairs of cropped pants
1 pair of old 3/4 leggings
2 tshirts
1 voluminous tank top
2 scrunchable dresses, short sleeve
1 scrunchable dress, long sleeve
swimsuit
hat
scarf
buff
teva sandals
4 pairs undies
3 bras
soap/shampoo bar
natural deodorant in tin
toothbrush
homemade tooth powder in small nalgene bottle
moisturiser spf 15
meds
Wearing.
Jeans
tshirt
long sleeved shirt
polar fleece jacket
Sketchers slip ons
socks, maybe
I don't want to pack the bag too tightly now as at some stage, in Spain probably, I'll want to stow the fleece and not wear it or carry it!
So I have a hand-operated vacuum bag, one you roll up. I have used them before for a fleece jacket and it really helps space-wise.
I also may want to stow the jeans and the sketchers.
All the packing advice I see says take neutral clothes that go with each other and accessorise with a colourful scarf or whatever.
But I have found that works for me are lighweight colourful tops. I'm a big fan of the slightly flared Corfu ones. They don;t show the dirt or things that you may drip down the front of you.
If I take plain pants then they go with those.
I do like to wear a nightie! But think I will use a tshirt or dress instead.
I also have a handbag which fits a surprising amount of stuff. It's not huge and ungainly - I have some of those as well.
It's a Needle vs Thread Jetsetter and it's the best.
Things that will go in my Jetsetter.
Purse
Passport
Kindle
Phone
Drink bottle
earphones
lip blam
snacks
To go in somewhere
adaptors and charging cable
earrings and necklace
shopping bag
Undecided
Raincoat/poncho (it could be wet in Denmark)
Keep cup
What have I forgotten?
