Travelling light

How do our fictional heroes and heroines manage to holiday with just one tiny carry-on?

 

There are many things that are completely unrealistic about movies and TV shows: how the hero/heroine always finds a cab cruising by conveniently when they need to follow someone; how all the women wake up with perfect hair; how the children never ever get truly messed up no matter how long they play in the garden.

 

But the one thing that strikes me as most unrealistic of all is when I see people packing to go on vacation. Without fail, they take one small wheelie bag and a tiny carry-on, which in itself is not worthy of comment. But once they get to their destination, they unveil a wardrobe that could not possibly fit into even two large suitcases. They never repeat an outfit; they have matching shoes and bags with every change; they show off more costume jewelry that you can shake a cocktail ring at. And if it is winter, they manage to pack more than one overcoat and a range of jackets, thus defying the very laws of physics. 

 

Given that we mere mortals could never do that, I think we should give up aspiring to travel as ‘light’ as our fictional heroes and heroines do. Yes, I know, all the fashion magazines never tire of running articles on how you can travel with just one bag by packing clothes that go effortlessly “from day to night” with the addition of a sparkly scarf or a pair of glittery heels. Well, if you can do that, then you are a better person than me. I am afraid I can’t manage without cramming a giant suitcase to the brim and then stuffing in a hold-all that I break out on the return journey for my dirty laundry and any new purchases I make.

 

Of late, though, I have been shamed into packing a bit lighter, after a particularly embarrassing episode when I couldn’t quite lift my suitcase off the carousel and needed the help of two able-bodied men to help me wrestle it onto my trolley. So, just in case you need the tips, here’s how I managed to lighten my load.

 

·       I know it’s a bit of a palaver to wear boots at the airport and have to take them off at security, but given that they weigh down your suitcase, it’s best to keep them on when you travel. Ditto, heavy jackets and overcoats.

·       I can’t do without my brand of shampoo and conditioner, not to mention my various lotions and potions. But instead of carrying the full bottles, I make do with sachets or small bottles into which I decant tiny amounts that will last my trip.

·       No physical books go into my bag; instead I download all I want to read on my Kindle. I leave my laptop behind, carrying just a lightweight tablet just in case I need to do some writing.

·       Sticking to one colour palette when packing clothes is a huge help because you only need to carry one pair of shoes and one handbag that will go with everything.

·       I can’t do without my Dyson airwrap entirely but I have pared down the number of accessories I travel with. And my portable steamer stays home; a few wrinkles are a small price to pay for a lighter bag.