Welcome to my new blog! I’ll be sending dispatches from my two-month trip to Puglia and Sicily in Italy, and then on board a Lindblad National Geographic Explorer ship from St. Petersburg, through the Baltics, then around the coast of Europe to Lisbon.
I’m at the airport, awaiting my flight to Frankfurt, then to Italy. So excited! I was home for only a day and a half after being in New Mexico at Ghost Ranch for the AROHO Writer’s Conference, which was wonderful, especially under those red mesas. Already feeling like a nomad.
CARRY-ON FOR TWO MONTHS
I’m feeling quite pleased that I managed to pack for two months in a carry-on bag. To be fair, I shipped a couple of warm things to Copenhagen to meet me on the boat, and a friend I’m traveling with is bringing me a jacket I fortunately loaned him awhile back. Still. The rest fits in the overhead compartment.
It took me awhile to figure out what to take. It’s going to be really hot in southern Italy and much cooler in Russia. Here’s my packing list:
–Black sleeveless indestructible “Banda” dress from Patagonia.
–Black swingy skirt, Patagonia (otherwise known as PataGucci, but their stuff lasts and they’re a great environmental company).
–White sun dress. Maybe impractical, but it’ll be hot as hell.
–Blue sundress/swimsuit coverup that can also act as a nightie, and was so cheap at Target I can toss it.
–White polo shirt. I’m not a polo shirt type of a gal; in fact they turn me into a suburban soccer mom instantly. But this one is a little more feminine and will be versatile in the heat and on board the ship.
–White blouse you can wear over above-mentioned sundresses
–Black Patagonia “Mystery Pants,” the mystery being how they can look good for every day and then you can go kayak in them.
–Olive khaki cropped pants
–Yoga pants
–Long Patagonia sweatshirt/jacket to wear on the plane
–Turquoise and black silk skirt
–A couple camisoles, 2 T-shirts, 2 sleeveless tops, one long-sleeve T I’m wearing on the plane.
–Super lightweight Indian white shirt
–Pretty Krista Larsen flowered vest that can also be worn as a sleeveless top.
–Eileen Fisher periwinkle shirt dress with a little stretch that can be worn when it’s cold with black leggings and a long-sleeve black top.
–three cardigan sweaters, from really light to heavier, turquoise, brown, and black cashmere.
–pretty lightweight silk shawl
–cropped off-white linen pants with silver thread
–2 swimsuits, one for laps and one cute
–Sun hat, intimates, glasses, etc.
–Electronics: Kindle (no need to lug a lot of books, and no, I’m not giving up on real books), Mac Air, voice recorder, European cell phone, iPod.
–Just a few toiletries, since you can buy that stuff there.
–Collapsible day pack from the deYoung Museum, tiny black purse for night, and black patagonia day pack.
–Shoes (the biggest challenge): black Crocs “Patricia” sandals with a small wedge heel, Naot walking shoes in bronze, and orange running shoes.
That’s it. Everything fits in my hard-sided Samsonite carry-on, with those wheels that glide in all directions.
Almost time to board, so I’d better leave the Red Carpet Club.
Hmmm…. Maybe it was audacious to ask some guy in line for the Red Carpet club if I could be his guest, but it worked, and now surely someone will do him a nice favor…