I mean really cheap, relative to the majority of things discussed on this board.

Thanks to the lively exchange on the topic of duffel bags, I bought a new one from L.L.Bean and it arrived today -- and I LOVE it! If I can get this excited about a duffel bag, I'm going to be a wreck when my departure gets closer. Think I'll go do a test-pack! Is seven weeks too soon?

Thank you all!

You could even do a trial run to the airport with your new packed bag!

That's pretty funny . . . I'm almost giddy enough to do so. Well, not quite. You did give a very good laugh.

By the same token, this is one seriously tough & good-looking duffel!

My trip is not until late Oct. Yet whenever I am driving or with time on my hands.... I do a mental pre-packing of clothes I do not yet own, in a size I do not yet fit into.

pula - curiosity has me wondering which duffel you got. i have a suitcase problem - almost as bad as shoes! if it gave you that much of a thrill i simply must know which one it was!!

Tough and good looking. That's my weakeness too.

Did I mention, handsome? That too.

Seriously aowens, because you asked, it's L.L.Bean's Adventure Duffel. Whatever this fabric is -- treated to be water resistant they say -- it's much nicer than the typical canvas material. The whole thing is very rugged, light-weight and I have this thing about dark green . . . Only one I could find that's dark green. Enough already! Imagine . . . a suitcase problem!)

BTW, julienk, two months ago I was doing exactly what you're doing. Now reality is sinking in and I'm packing the same old clothes that sadly, are none too loose!

but does it have wheels? <g>

If you've been readying yourself for an African safari, take all the cheap thrills you can. They're none too frequent (especially on Fodor's).

I have an old school L.L. Bean duffel, dark green, and after numerous camping trips, trips to the laundromat and two safaris, it's still as strong and handsome as ever.

Enjoy!

I've got two more cheap thrills for you to try:
1) a buff kerchief (overpriced at $15 or so, but well worth it, and not bad for a thrill)
2) miniature flashlight (the ones that are about 1-1/2 inches long). They may be intended for a key-chain, and I attached mine to the zip pull of my fanny pack. Thus, I always had a tiny emergency light.

Ann NYC<

A tiny flashlight is the item I mentioned on the "What do you wish you had brought" thread. And Dennis, FYI, it had no wheels.

Can someone tell me about the "buff kerchief" again? I believe I saw it discussed elsewhere but can't remember its usefulness.

A 'buff' kerchief is made of a stretchy fabric, and it is shaped in a cylinder. You can fold it and stretch it and use it a bunch of different ways. I usually used mine over my hair to keep out the dust, but also used it around my neck to keep warm on a chilly night drive. Because of the fact that it is stretchy, it is easier to use and more comfortable -- you fix it in a flash and don't have to keep fiddling with it.

It's probably about 10 cents worth of material, and someone is making a huge profit, but it really works great. The list price is about $20, but if you shop around online you can find one for about $15, in lots of different colors and patterns.

http://www.rei.com/product/691367

As ann nyc said, you can find them cheaper.

Thanks-like all the photos of different ways it can be worn.

If that buff kerchief becomes popular and all this giddines continues, I see the makings of a Fodor Fashion Show. Owners could model their buff kerchiefs (and I don't mean their kerchiefs in the buff!!) in all their varieties of uses. Now there's a YouTube for ya.

Why stop at buff kerchiefs? I'd like to see a pictorial index of Fodorites modeling vests, gaitors, etc. and maybe even showcasing their various duffels-would be a lot more interesting than checking out the sports stores.