I have a luggage problem. Or lack or luggage problem. Or lack of proper luggage. Lately I have been traveling light with a capital "L". Just a change of socks and underwear in my small backpack. I've hated checking bags since forever, so I avoid it whenever possible. Now that they charge you for checked luggage the incentive is greater, but that has led others to just go "carry-on." Sadly, some aren't quite as frugal with their bag size and invariably the overhead bins fill up these days. Since I don't have a carry-on "roller" or equivalent bag, I went looking for one today. But I was determined not to become the people who annoy me when traveling.
One problem is that I want the "perfect bag" (thanks, mom). Of course that doesn't exist. For this trip I need to day an extra day's clothes (not a problem), but also need more camera equipment to document the site visit (minor problem). Last week I took my backpack (stowed under the seat in front of me) and a small HD video camera in it's own (small) bag which went into the overhead bin. This time I need to add my dSLR (which has it's own small bag) so I need to get a bigger back to carry the two smaller bags. Or something. At any rate, the list:
2 pair socks/underwear
2 shirts
toiletries
That's about it for clothes and whatnot. Beyond that:
iPod
iPhone
Leica D-Lux4 compact camera
Pentax K20D dSLR w/16-45 and 35mm ltd lenses
Canon HV-30 HD camcorder
Entymotic earphones (tiny)
MacBook Pro 15"
MacBook charger
extra MacBook battery
external travel hard drive
then a couple books (Chinese script workbook this time?), various stuff like vit C, advil, etc.
So what did I get? A Patagonia messenger bag. Wtf? Well, it does have an integrated padded laptop sleeve and isn't nearly as bulky as a typical carry-on roller. But it also doesn't fit the rather boxy camcorder bag. Oh well...whatever. Now to figure out what moron in the apt building left their laundry in the washer without turning it on. I need to do a load before the trip. Always something...
