Can you lift your suitcase over your head?
#21
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,701
Sorry - it should read on the way...and on the return trip....
#22
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,815
Janda, you could always hire a porter to travel with you.

#23
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,637
Capo = Porter in Italian? 
Being able to lift your luggage into the overhead compartment is on my top 5 list of travel rules.
Scarlett, I love you but you're gonna have to work on this one so we can travel together!

Being able to lift your luggage into the overhead compartment is on my top 5 list of travel rules.
Scarlett, I love you but you're gonna have to work on this one so we can travel together!
#24
Guest
Posts: n/a
And I should have added that nine times out of ten, I DON'T need stronger arms than mine--I'm strong as an ox!
#25
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,025
Come on ladies, I need to give you lessons. Tomorrow's will be how to helplessly stand on a street corner holding a map upside down, and get invited to coffee by the first handsome Italian who walks by.
Just playing a little to lighten the Monday workday stress ; )
Just playing a little to lighten the Monday workday stress ; )
#27
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 937
I love everyones reply. 
dln, I have been doing upper body exercises to help build up these arms. I have been walking at least 30 minutes a day also.
I dont like asking men for help unless I have to. I am a strong woman and like to do things myself !!!
Capo, are you applying for the position?
Jennie,
check your personal email
I wrote you back.

dln, I have been doing upper body exercises to help build up these arms. I have been walking at least 30 minutes a day also.
I dont like asking men for help unless I have to. I am a strong woman and like to do things myself !!!
Capo, are you applying for the position?
Jennie,
check your personal email

#28
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 833
Hehehe Nutella...
I find that sitting alone in an Osteria, absorbed in my own thoughts while sipping wine will do it. I've had all kinds of interesting people plunk themselves down in front of me!
I find that sitting alone in an Osteria, absorbed in my own thoughts while sipping wine will do it. I've had all kinds of interesting people plunk themselves down in front of me!
#29
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 937
I want handsome Italian men to plunk themselves down in from of me !!!
#30
Guest
Posts: n/a
Janda, all my neighbors have seen me out in the extreme heat of the day walking, trying to break in my shoes for double duty, Italian style! I've been attempting to approximate the same conditions I will find next week in Rome. I will confess, however, that it's been hard to find anything like the seven hills of Rome in our flat Midwest!
Don't you think we'll all have interesting stories to tell when we get back from Italy? We'll have everyone on Fodors entertained from now to Christmas!
Don't you think we'll all have interesting stories to tell when we get back from Italy? We'll have everyone on Fodors entertained from now to Christmas!
#31
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 937
I want handsome Italian men to plunk themselves down in front of me !!!
#32
Guest
Posts: n/a
Janda, from what all my girlfriends have been telling me, I don't think that will be a problem! (The problem will be fending them off...)
#33
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,098
On many trains there are seats set back to back that a good sized suitcase can slide between. In my many travels by train in Europe, North America, and parts of Asia, I can't remember when there wasn't someone who would help a person struggling with their suitcase.
But lighter is better, and many people do overpack.
There was a thread a while back about travel essentials, and some of the things people considered must haves were quite surprising. A gluestick? An i-Pod or portable CD player? Duct tape? Pillow cases? Shortwave radio?
But lighter is better, and many people do overpack.
There was a thread a while back about travel essentials, and some of the things people considered must haves were quite surprising. A gluestick? An i-Pod or portable CD player? Duct tape? Pillow cases? Shortwave radio?
#34
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 937
I hope you are right dln. 
I agree, we should have some very interesting trip reports coming up. Cant wait to see how each person experiences Italy.

I agree, we should have some very interesting trip reports coming up. Cant wait to see how each person experiences Italy.
#35
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,815
Grasshopper, interestingly enough, I just found out what porter actually is in Italian -- portatore -- and it shares its first two letters with my last two.
Sure Janda, but I also realize that with the Seattle economy the way it is, you'll people far more well qualified than I begging for a position as your porter.
Sure Janda, but I also realize that with the Seattle economy the way it is, you'll people far more well qualified than I begging for a position as your porter.

#36
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 937
capo begging !!!
NUNCA !!!
NUNCA !!!
#37
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,240
I know this thread is about trains--but I have an airline story. I was up-graded to first class on an American flight from Dallas to Denver last year. As I struggled to get my carry-on into the overhead bin, the flight attendant came by and remarked that if I couldn't get it into the bin myself, I should have checked it--and then went on down the aisle!! So much for the amenities of first class on American. No one helped me, and I eventually got it up by myself.
#38
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 76
Sally and everyone,
I'm so short (5' on a tall day) I can't lift anything up high. Even if I could lift my light weight bag I still can't stow it anywhere up there. I've been sliding my soft sided carry on underneath the front seat and using it as my foot rest. I guess I'm going to have to do the same thing on the plane.
I'm so short (5' on a tall day) I can't lift anything up high. Even if I could lift my light weight bag I still can't stow it anywhere up there. I've been sliding my soft sided carry on underneath the front seat and using it as my foot rest. I guess I'm going to have to do the same thing on the plane.
#39
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,127
Jane, I wonder if the flight attendant would have helped you had you been male.
I find that one benefit of a trip, just like one benefit of having a small child, is increased muscularity in my biceps
.
My current opinion on packing light - fine so long as one does not skimp on underwear and shoes.
I find that one benefit of a trip, just like one benefit of having a small child, is increased muscularity in my biceps

My current opinion on packing light - fine so long as one does not skimp on underwear and shoes.
#40
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,194
It's conceivable you read this advice from me, as I have posted it often. In fact, the full version of my advice is that you should be able to CARRY it UP and DOWN one full flight of stairs, above your head, without touching handrails or walls. Not that you will have to do that, but it IS a good test of whether it is too heavy for you.
And I submit that you should be able to carry ALL of your stuff up and down one flight of stairs, without separate trips, and still never touch handrails or walls. For this test, of course, over your head would be asking rather much.
Best wishes,
Rex
And I submit that you should be able to carry ALL of your stuff up and down one flight of stairs, without separate trips, and still never touch handrails or walls. For this test, of course, over your head would be asking rather much.
Best wishes,
Rex