Comments on: Confessions of an Overpacker http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/confessions-of-an-overpacker/ travel culture worldwide Sat, 11 Feb 2012 21:51:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Alaina http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/confessions-of-an-overpacker/#comment-38244 Alaina Fri, 07 May 2010 08:52:09 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=3876#comment-38244 Ahh, I'm quite the overpacker myself. I'm also a little bit of a hoarder, so after spending a year in Germany and Austria, I have no idea how I'm going to get all of the stuff I brought with + all the stuff I acquired back to the US... Ahh, I’m quite the overpacker myself. I’m also a little bit of a hoarder, so after spending a year in Germany and Austria, I have no idea how I’m going to get all of the stuff I brought with + all the stuff I acquired back to the US…

]]> By: Karen http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/confessions-of-an-overpacker/#comment-38196 Karen Wed, 05 May 2010 20:32:09 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=3876#comment-38196 Buying cheap items abroad is really not an option if you're like me (and Meghan) and you're six feet tall, size 12, and wear size 10 1/2 shoes. (Unless you want to shop in the men's stores.) Market stalls in Thailand have virtually nothing that fits me, aside from a generic sarong, while German or Scandinavian stores tend to stock my size - but then those countries aren't cheap. So for now, I'm with Megan - I happily tote my mountain of bags and shrug off the giggles and sneers of the holier-than-thou backpackers. There is not one way to travel. And its not materialistic - simply wanting to have more (rather than less) of your stuff with you when you travel does not equal gluttony. If i was traveling with 30 pairs of Prada shoes, diamond jewelry and fur coats, that would be materialistic, methinks. Buying cheap items abroad is really not an option if you’re like me (and Meghan) and you’re six feet tall, size 12, and wear size 10 1/2 shoes. (Unless you want to shop in the men’s stores.) Market stalls in Thailand have virtually nothing that fits me, aside from a generic sarong, while German or Scandinavian stores tend to stock my size – but then those countries aren’t cheap. So for now, I’m with Megan – I happily tote my mountain of bags and shrug off the giggles and sneers of the holier-than-thou backpackers. There is not one way to travel. And its not materialistic – simply wanting to have more (rather than less) of your stuff with you when you travel does not equal gluttony. If i was traveling with 30 pairs of Prada shoes, diamond jewelry and fur coats, that would be materialistic, methinks.

]]> By: Lilia http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/confessions-of-an-overpacker/#comment-38050 Lilia Sat, 17 Apr 2010 14:58:42 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=3876#comment-38050 Finally! A kindred spirit! Whenever I read the entries of other travelers I feel really embarrassed about my situation. I really try my hardest not to overpack, but stuff just finds it's way into my luggage. Luggages are a death trap because of its roomy quality as compared to backpacks, but I truly detest backpacks. I'm a small person so carrying an extra weight all the time makes me more unhappy than having to pay for excess baggage fees. Finally! A kindred spirit! Whenever I read the entries of other travelers I feel really embarrassed about my situation. I really try my hardest not to overpack, but stuff just finds it’s way into my luggage. Luggages are a death trap because of its roomy quality as compared to backpacks, but I truly detest backpacks. I’m a small person so carrying an extra weight all the time makes me more unhappy than having to pay for excess baggage fees.

]]> By: Confessions of an Overpacker « my oh-so interesting life… http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/confessions-of-an-overpacker/#comment-38047 Confessions of an Overpacker « my oh-so interesting life… Fri, 16 Apr 2010 16:29:51 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=3876#comment-38047 [...] April 16, 2010 by fnsollog3 Confessions of an Overpacker [...] [...] April 16, 2010 by fnsollog3 Confessions of an Overpacker [...]

]]> By: martha http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/confessions-of-an-overpacker/#comment-38034 martha Thu, 15 Apr 2010 07:16:56 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=3876#comment-38034 Thank you, thank you Meagan! I'm doing a mini RTW trip this year and as I read these "suggested packing lists" -- mostly compiled by male travelers -- I just laugh. No thanks. Yes, schlepping the stuff can be a nightmare. I've learned to dread stairs. And cobblestone streets. Many, many times I've been the girl biting my lip as my bag is weighed but...I wouldn't have met the cute produce boy of Positano who insisted on securing me on his moped, tying my bags to the back of it, and personally escorting me to my hotel if I hadn't have been "the girl with the bags." And I wouldn't trade all the treasures I've bought over the years for the best -packed, lightest carry-on. Oh, and btw, SCREW BACKPACKS. I'm taking luggage, Bitches, and I'm fine with that. Thank you, thank you Meagan! I’m doing a mini RTW trip this year and as I read these “suggested packing lists” — mostly compiled by male travelers — I just laugh. No thanks.

Yes, schlepping the stuff can be a nightmare. I’ve learned to dread stairs. And cobblestone streets. Many, many times I’ve been the girl biting my lip as my bag is weighed but…I wouldn’t have met the cute produce boy of Positano who insisted on securing me on his moped, tying my bags to the back of it, and personally escorting me to my hotel if I hadn’t have been “the girl with the bags.” And I wouldn’t trade all the treasures I’ve bought over the years for the best -packed, lightest carry-on.

Oh, and btw, SCREW BACKPACKS. I’m taking luggage, Bitches, and I’m fine with that.

]]> By: Heather Carreiro http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/confessions-of-an-overpacker/#comment-38013 Heather Carreiro Thu, 15 Apr 2010 03:05:07 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=3876#comment-38013 All we could get in Pakistan were classics, Harry Potter and R.L. Stine! I found a few places were I could get something I wanted to read...India had much better variety. All we could get in Pakistan were classics, Harry Potter and R.L. Stine! I found a few places were I could get something I wanted to read…India had much better variety.

]]> By: Beth http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/confessions-of-an-overpacker/#comment-38028 Beth Tue, 13 Apr 2010 17:26:02 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=3876#comment-38028 I get away with the choice aspect for my trip abroad by packing a couple neutral shirts and at least for me, LOTS of accessories. Scarfs, vests, belts, etc. They´re smaller and allow you to play around more. :) I get away with the choice aspect for my trip abroad by packing a couple neutral shirts and at least for me, LOTS of accessories. Scarfs, vests, belts, etc. They´re smaller and allow you to play around more. :)

]]> By: Hannah http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/confessions-of-an-overpacker/#comment-38015 Hannah Sun, 11 Apr 2010 17:24:26 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=3876#comment-38015 The book claim alone is seriously forcing me to consider a Kindle, a book-lover's nemesis because you can't smell the pages... On my current trip to India I had the idea of 'just' buying in local markets. I think I've veto'd this for my next trip however. I'd rather spend my time doing other things rather than looking for t-shirts that fit my long torso and flip flops that won't fall apart in a week (On an interesting note, broken flip flops seem to be EVERYWHERE in India's mounds of trash... Someone please make something sturdy for these people!) I wrote my own ideas - not on overpacking, but on dysfunctional packing, shall we say - here. Meagan is actually a friend of mine and I make great reference to her :) http://hannahinmotion.wordpress.com/2010/04/07/wrongful-packing-accidental-experiments-in-minimalistic-travel/ The book claim alone is seriously forcing me to consider a Kindle, a book-lover’s nemesis because you can’t smell the pages…

On my current trip to India I had the idea of ‘just’ buying in local markets. I think I’ve veto’d this for my next trip however. I’d rather spend my time doing other things rather than looking for t-shirts that fit my long torso and flip flops that won’t fall apart in a week (On an interesting note, broken flip flops seem to be EVERYWHERE in India’s mounds of trash… Someone please make something sturdy for these people!)

I wrote my own ideas – not on overpacking, but on dysfunctional packing, shall we say – here. Meagan is actually a friend of mine and I make great reference to her :)

http://hannahinmotion.wordpress.com/2010/04/07/wrongful-packing-accidental-experiments-in-minimalistic-travel/

]]> By: Anne M http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/confessions-of-an-overpacker/#comment-38012 Anne M Sun, 11 Apr 2010 13:59:20 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=3876#comment-38012 I can echo Heather's point - personally, it's not shoes or clothes that push me over the edge when I pack, it's the books. English books are hard to get in certain parts of the world, and when you find a shop with a selection, it's often limited to Wordsworth Classics and Dan Brown. I pack them, ship them, order them online. It's a bad habit! I can echo Heather’s point – personally, it’s not shoes or clothes that push me over the edge when I pack, it’s the books. English books are hard to get in certain parts of the world, and when you find a shop with a selection, it’s often limited to Wordsworth Classics and Dan Brown. I pack them, ship them, order them online. It’s a bad habit!

]]> By: Turner http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/confessions-of-an-overpacker/#comment-37999 Turner Fri, 09 Apr 2010 23:11:37 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=3876#comment-37999 I took four pieces of luggage for my year-long stint in Japan: one huge black one, one slightly smaller green one, my standard size carry-on, and my (small) backpack. It's fortunate to land in a country that has safe and reliable luggage forwarding services; when you exit customs, there's a handy little desk that will send you bags onward to any address in any city in Japan. My second time landing, I decided to forego this service... several Japanese may have noticed the sweaty foreigner hauling three bags on the moonlight express to Kyoto. I took four pieces of luggage for my year-long stint in Japan: one huge black one, one slightly smaller green one, my standard size carry-on, and my (small) backpack. It’s fortunate to land in a country that has safe and reliable luggage forwarding services; when you exit customs, there’s a handy little desk that will send you bags onward to any address in any city in Japan. My second time landing, I decided to forego this service… several Japanese may have noticed the sweaty foreigner hauling three bags on the moonlight express to Kyoto.

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