My good friend Marcie kept saying that I should write a blog post about how one packs for a year abroad. She thought it would be interesting for people to know… so, lets see if she is right.
To begin, those who know me are aware that I appreciate efficiency and organization. Maybe more than a little bit. I also revel in the face of a challenge. So, packing for a year? Bring it. But wait! its not a worthy challenge without a few restrictions: First, most airlines only offer one free checked bag with any additional bags charged at $100 a pop. Shipping overseas via UPS, FedEx, etc. is very expensive, and can be slow and unreliable, especially if you are going to a smaller town. Many private companies also offer door-to-door baggage shipping services but in my case, these were also quite cost prohibitive. My solution? Space Bags. If there is one product I would happily endorse, it is Space Bags. You fill these plastic bags with your stuff, seal like a big ziplock bag, then roll. The air is forced out through a one way valve, and viola!! Your stuff now takes up about 1/3 of the space. If you really want exceptional results, use the vacuum seal Space Bags. The results are quite shocking … I packed 4 large, bulky winter coats into a Bag, and it shrunk down to the size of a flat pillow. Don’t believe me? Check this out! Insane. (Yes, that is my big leather coat in there, with 3 friends.)
So now, thanks to Space Bags I can easily fit everything I could possibly want to wear into two suitcases. Not so fast … this brings me to the second packing restriction: If you are traveling in lowly coach class, like me, each bag can be no more than 50 pounds. If your bag exceeds 50 pounds you are looking at about $285 in fees. Trust me, no matter how low-cut your blouse or how witty your banter at the counter, the agents are frustratingly firm.
At this point, a small luggage scale became a necessary, although hateful tool of my quest. My bags were all packed, and zipped without any herculean effort … to be honest I could have put a lot more in there. But alas, they were around 55 pounds each, so stuff had to come out. But hey, I’m going to Italy!! Anything I need I can find there. I would much rather spend my money on new shoes than luggage fees, right?! (note: I played the pity card, HARD, and was able to get both my 53 pound bags checked through at no extra cost!)
Anyhow, its hard to believe that all this:
fit into two suitcases, a carry-on, and a backpack. (note: the lower left side of the armoire above, is where all my winter coats and 10 sweaters are still sealed up in space bags! Zoinks!! Did I mention I also squeezed my knee-high wellies in those bags below? Well, I did. And a laptop, an ipad, my kindle, a Bose wireless speaker… not to mention, a Marcella Hazan cookbook, whew!)
But that’s not all…! While Italy is known for its amazing food, there are a few favorite food items you cannot get there (no brown sugar?!) Plus, a year is a long time to be away from some of your favorite kitchen utensils, so I also managed to squeeze in these items: (thank you Marcie for the homemade maple syrup!)
I will just have to live without peanut butter, canned pumpkin, and pecans – at least until Christmas.
I know, you are asking yourself… what didn’t she pack? As it turns out, I should have packed some towels. More on that next time, as well as an explanation for all those crazy tags on my luggage above …
A miracle and a magic show, Lisa. NASA could not do better.
Your magic carpetbags with an entire year’s wardrobe (and kitchen and office supplies!) inside is better than Mary Poppins’ bag! Who needs her old lamp, mirror, and coatrack anyway? Wellies and winter coats will save the day. So happy you’re settling in!
PS: ❤️ the ‘HEAVY’ tag.