I was doing my Christmas shopping this week when I came across some suitcases at a greatly reduced price. Now I don't normally buy a new case every time I go to Australia, then maybe I have.
In the early 1990s was my first trip home, and I had this grand idea of only having one suitcase between us (me and my son). We were going for two months. Now this suitcase was big - really too big for a young teenager to carry since it was packed with everything bar the kitchen sink. It also had to be check in as "heavy" for one piece of luggage.
My next trip, I decided to travel lighter - I was on my own - but still I had two smaller suitcases. I was only going for three weeks. The next time was again with the son and we managed to get all our luggage into two medium size cases - both were old but durable, so we thought, until we took them off the luggage roundabout in Sydney to find the zip of mine had broken and my clothes were coming out. So that was put on the garbage truck and I had to buy another suitcase before I left.
For my trip eight years ago I decided to take a barrel bag and within that another light weight barrel bag to bring things home. This did not have any wheels, and I struggled carrying these up and down steps at the railway and coach stations.
So....this year is going to be different! I found a bargain in town and it was definitely a must have. A 20" suitcase on wheels. That is 20" high and not so wide.
A Dunlop suitcase with plenty of zip pockets. I left the shop, walked less than 50 feet, and took it back. I decided this one was too small! What if I bought something in Australia how would I bring it back. I exchanged it for the 24" (they did not have 22").
Still a bargain. I struggled home on the bus with this being careful not to touch the ground. I packed the clothes I intended taking and it barely covered the bottom, so decided this was just going to be too big and cumbersome. So I returned to the Store today to exchange it for the smaller one. A young lady who I saw yesterday - "I saw you" she shouted through the store "you were here yesterday and exchanged the smaller one for the large one" so so loud that everyone looked round......shush! I said a woman can change her mind if she wants too. She thought it funny.....
Since I came home with the 20" case and packed it with clothes, of course there was plenty of room and the zip at the top pulled open allows the case to have 30% more space. I am sure that will be just perfect for this trip.
Off to town tomorrow to find some comfortable trainers for the trip......I know I know I still have three months to go......... I do have lots to do though, and time is running out.
You'll be fine my dear! John and I always travel light - our current cases could be brought into the cabin but we always check them in and collect at the end... if you are going somewhere that launderettes are available, or staying with family and friends who will have a washing machine, why on earth would you even think about lugging loads of stuff around? Travel light, that's what I say!
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