We're off!! (and the Terrible Tale of the Midnight Packing)

I'm writing this post from the American Express Lounge in the Toronto Pearson International Airport. At 6:00 AM, J and I got into our car and drove down to Orlando to fly up here. The flight was pretty uneventful, though in the past year or so, I have noticed that children and teenagers tend to use their tablets/phones to watch movies and play games without using headphones, and parents don't do much about it. So, I was reading my book (Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts, to get in the mood), listening to the wonderful sounds of Angry Birds. 

Anyway, this past week has been pretty crazy at work, as it seems that everyone decided they needed EVERYTHING from us before we left. We were only too ready to get out of town and away from it all. However, J was not able to finish everything on Friday and spent a GREAT DEAL of time at his office yesterday, which resulted in a last-minute frantic packing session (for him) which terminated at approximately midnight. When we had to leave the house six hours later. 

Fortunately, I am not as much of a procrastinator as J, and earlier this week, I decided to try a "test run" with my new backpack to see how everything fit. I bought the Osprey Farpoint 70 backpacks for J and I to use, and I have to admit, I haven't looked at them in a while. I read a ton of backpacking websites which all said that 70L was HUGE, that you should only bring a 55L pack MAX for a trip which would last for MONTHS, and basically, anything this big was completely unnecessary. So in my head, this backpack looked much like a Harry Potter tent--small on the outside, but endlessly roomy on the inside.

My. Mistake. 

In fact, a backpack does NOT fit that much stuff, no matter how big it is. J only brought one regular pair of shoes (that he is wearing), and a pair of flip flops. I have one pair I'm wearing, another pair and a pair of Havianas in my bag and it was a tight fit. 

One of the neatest packing tricks I picked up from reading all my blogs, however, was the use of packing cubes. These amazing inventions help keep your clothing/items very organized in your backpack, and also help compress everything down. Behold:

J's packing cubes

  

All of our stuff is neatly compressed in these cubes, and the cubes can be rearranged like jenga pieces in the backpack. We found that our backpacks were able to hold one large cube, one medium cube, and three "slim" cubes. We have a couple of small cubes that we are using in our carry-ons for electronics and toiletries. We are also using the eBags "pack it flat" toiletry kit, which holds a surprising amount in a very flat package. 

At the end of the day, this is how much luggage is coming with us to India for two weeks:

Sadly, the cat did not come with us

I also have a large purse with me. But not too bad for a couple who brought enormous spinner suitcases on a week-long jaunt to Washington DC last summer!

Anyway, I will get back to enjoying the wares of the lounge (there is a great espresso machine here) as we wait for our flight this evening. Next time I write, I will hopefully be in India, enjoying this great adventure!

Our first official trip selfie from the Orlando airport

Travel Fashion: Ladies, What to Pack for India?

In exactly one week, we will be on a plane to start our fabulous trip! I am officially starting to panic a little bit because I feel very unprepared and have a TON to get done this week at work, but also very excited!

One of the big challenges in preparing for this trip is: what clothing and shoes should I pack for India? As I mentioned before, J and I are carrying only backpacks on this journey, so I will not have the option to "throw every piece of clothing I own into an obscenely large suitcase," which is my standard MO. Through my research, I have also learned that what is considered "appropriate" attire in India may be different than in Europe, the USA, or many of my other normal tourist destinations. Many of the sources I read suggest that you wait until you get to India to buy clothing so that you can "fit in" a little better. I am sure I will buy a few items there, but I'll be honest, the Type A in me is too nervous to pack with such faith. So, my strategy was to pack a few key basic outfits which meet the "modesty" requirements of Indian dress, while still retaining some common Western style elements that make me feel comfortable.

This past weekend, my good friend C and I went on a mad shopping spree. At first, we tried to find "loose, conservative clothing" with high necklines, longer sleeves, and sort of a draped feel from head to toe. This was a disaster for my body type. After re-assessing, we decided that we needed to meet the following goals:

• Not form fitting in the bust, waist, hips or rear-end section
• Covers cleavage, shoulders and legs

So we decided to go with some tunic type tops and dresses with leggings, and a couple of pairs of looser linen pants and longer tops. For example:

This is the Denim Shirtdress from Banana Republic currently for sale in stores. I think it will pair nicely with black, navy, white, or gray leggings. 

Color and versatility can be added through accessories such as scarves, belts, and jewelry. 

Sleeves can be worn long, or rolled up for a more casual look.

Importantly, it covers the key areas, and with some buttoning and scarf wrapping, will keep cleavage to a minimum when necessary. It's also something I can see myself very easily wearing again in the United States.

This is the Yarn-Dyed Linen Button-Front Tunic by J. Jill. It can be worn open as is seen on the model, but also can be worn closed, over a pair of darker leggings, with a scarf or belt to give some shape if it is desired. I was surprised how much I liked the way this looked on, and C agreed it was an outfit I could potentially wear back home.

I always wanted a pair of flowy linen pants and have finally found an acceptable pair. This pair, the Belted Linen-Blend Pants from Ann Taylor fit the bill. They are an appropriate length, they sit in a normal place on my abdomen, they don't pull awkwardly, and just, in general are very comfortable. My store only had them in white, but on the website, they come in blue, which I think likely would have been the more practical choice, but alas. This is one of the punishments of procrastination. 

Other basic stables will include a few more tunic type dresses, a maxi skirt, some light sweaters, tank tops for layering, and basic t-shirts. I feel fairly confident about my clothing choices now. 

Then I had to deal with the stress of picking shoes. LESSON TIME....

Last year, J and I took a trip to Washington DC for a week of sightseeing. 

I decided that my primary type of shoe for sightseeing would be a pair of Rainbow flip flops I had owned for many years and found comfortable on weekend jaunts. It was the middle of the summer, hot, and these were reliable. Or so I thought.

After one day of walking, I realized that my feet were sweating so badly that it was chafing the bottom of my foot against the leather of my sandal. I finished our first day of touristing with HUMONGOUS blisters plumb on the bottom of my feet. It made the whole thing so miserable I said "never again!" 

So, in search of walking-friendly shoes that could also maybe look somewhat cute and don't SCREAM American Tourist (but still probably loudly shout American Tourist), I have come across two personal contenders:

The Ahnu Tullia Walking Flat though I bought mine in black. The main attraction to these shoes for me were that they have a strap which will help keep your foot in the foot, a back and a front so you don't inadvertently step in something you wish you hadn't and coat your entire foot, and the shoe is apparently designed for high-arched, wide footed women. Which is me in a nutshell. The thing I liked best? I could order a size down and get a comfortable size. I'm worth nothing, if not my vanity. 

I also ordered the "Clarks Haley Stork" casual walking shoe in "Mushroom Nubuck." When I tried these on they felt instantly comfortable. They actually look ok, and not too clunky on. I'll report back and let you all know how these shoes feel. I'm also bringing a pair of regular flip flops to wear in hotels/showers and at the pool. 

Thank you so much to C, my partner-in-crime for shopping!! Up next, I will do a post on what to pack for MEN (they have it so much easier), and some of the other miscellaneous items we are bringing with us for electronic support.