In the interest of keeping my email data stream to a minimum, I've just unsubscribed to a couple of busy listserves that I normally follow. That should help conserve my 20 MB.

I should re-name this thread something like "tech + travel = fun". Or maybe not.

Pager signed off? Check.

Voice mail greeting at work changed? Check.

Posting via iPhone from the Air France lounge at Malpensa (Milan).

Did I mention that I was taking a side trip to Milan? Let's just say it's been a very hectic 24 hours for travel, due to snow storms in Europe.

And boy howdy, am I ever glad I packed carry-on only...

I'll post details of my weather- complicated journey later, when I'm at real keyboard. For now, just a tech update.

1. Air Port works beautifully, turning the free Ethernet in this apartment into a nice strong wifi signal.

2. My apps are working again, including TruPhone, so cheap calls home.

3. Roaming in Japan with the iPhone is seamless. Not cheap, but good when I need it.

Therese, I've read through all your packing threads over the past few weeks and I feel like I know you. I'm also a rather high-maintenance "packing light" die-hard, so I've appreciated the thought and level of detail you've been willing to share here.

When do you return from your latest jaunt? And will you tell us if you missed anything you wish you'd packed, and if you included things you ended up not needing?

Thank you!

Thanks, tld. The one thing that I meant to bring but forgot was my groovy set of behind-the-head earmuffs. And I haven't seen them anywhere, so somebody should start importing them..

I'd considered bringing a swirly skirt for swing dancing (which I did last night in Tokyo), and sort of wish I had, but only sort of.

I'm enjoying your pre-travel and traveling report so much. Your packing ideas are great, and it is amazing how much will fit in a 19 or 21 inch bag. I'm definitely doing that for Rome in March. And I'll be wearing my Scottevest Jacket! I used it for Christmas travel and it was great, I had everything I needed during the flight (and then some) right there, no climbing into the overhead or folding myself double to get it out from under the seat. Mine isn't as fitted as the vest, but I like the roominess and the ability to pack stuff without looking, as someone said, like the Michelin Man. It is very convenient to get tickets and other travel docs, and the zippers keep things in their place.
So, have a great trip and I'll be following along with great interest.

Tokyo's been fun. More details later.

Next stop: Mexico City.

Since my apartment here in Tokyo has a washing machine (but no dryer, and no central heating either) I've washed pretty much everything worn up to this point.

For the flight I'll pack as usual, paying particular attention to in-flight comfort: the scottevest contains everything I'll need along the lines of entertainment, and I'm packing food as well.

Time to go take a bath and get the day started.

Have just bathed for the second time today, this time at the Delta Crown Room at LAX, waiting for my connecting flight to Mexico City. I'll taking a nap, relying on my iPhone (in the pocket of me scottevest) to wake me.

Therese-Glad you are having a good time.
Wondering what you thought of this...
At one point I was considering a week long trip to Ireland in April via an Aer Lingus package. Then I looked at their carry-on rules. You can bring a 22" bag plus personal item, but the max weight is 6 kilos (13 lbs).
Would you pack for the max weight or would you check a bag?
Personally, I couldn't do it (keep under the weight) with my DSLR Camera and laptop plus clothes and toiletries, especially with the weather so cold.

Thanks Therese,
Great thread - I'm off for a month in March,April and will use some of your tips. I'm a light packer and can always use tips on how to do it better.

Kristina,

Why would you bring your laptop on this trip?

And how much does you camera equipment weigh all by itself?

Therese-
I bring my laptop on every trip. I really like to have it with me. It weights 2 lbs and is smaller than most magazines. I use it to write, access the internet, download photos, etc. I have no interest in replacing it with something smaller as I like to have a decent keyboard and various software for my website with me.
My camera stuff weighs another 2 lbs or so.
My suitcase weighs probably 5 or 6 lbs.
That would leave me with 3 lbs for clothes and toiletries. Yes, I could get a lighter bag, but I still don't think it would be enough.

I'm not doing that trip anyway, but my question was rather, what do you do when faced with such a severe weight limit as 13 lbs total?
Do you limit yourself to that amount?
Check a bag?
Not take that flight?

Here's what I would do:
If I could avoid that airline, I would. If not, I would still pack my 22" bag but I would check it. But I would pack everything valuable and a change of clothes in whatever bag I did carry on. I might even try to carry on the 22" bag and see if they are making people adhere to the weight limits, but I would be prepared to check it if I had to.

As I've said in the past, I have no problem doing carry-on only for just about any amount of time, as long as the weight limits aren't less than 2o-25 lbs.

Assuming that the flight with the 13 lb limit offered considerable advantage from either a cost or scheduling perspective, I'd take it. The weight limit wouldn't be a problem for me, as my camera and "laptop" ( iPhone) are small. I would probably go with a much lighter backpack ( could even use the day pack that I brought for the present trip), and keep toiletries to a minimum.

Cold weather packing is actually much easier than warm weather packing, as hardly anybody sees anything of you other than your coat and scarf. You'll wear a sweater under you coat, and under that sometimg pretty lightweight, and that lightweight layer (and underwear and socks) are the only things that you need to change, and of course you cab rinse some things out if you'd like.

Kristina - the only way to know for sure is to do a test pack. Pack with what you think you need and weigh it. If it's underweight, then you're good to go.

If it's overweight, then review your gear and see what you can skip.

You might surprise yourself with what you can do.

Now, having said that, I always check my clothing and toiletries. My camera bag itself weighs 20lbs, so I don't have any option (and leaving gear at home is NOT an option). If I had to do a 13lb max, I'd use my photog vest and fill it as full as possible to move 7lbs out of my camera bag.

I've packed carry on only enough to know my limitations and 13 lbs is just too light for me. As much as I prefer to travel carry on only, there are certain sacrifices I am unwilling to make.

Therese, I guess I was just wondering if there was any situation where you would allow yourself to check a bag.

Toedtoes-I understand your thing about the camera gear. Not taking it is not an option for me either, though I certainly don't bring as much as you do.
I spent all day today at a National Geographic Traveler Magazine seminar on Travel Photography. It was great and we got to see all the gear those professional guys travel with. Waaayy more than I ever would, but I'm not a professional. ;-)

Sure, I'll check when/if:

1. Really tiny plane, but that's typically a gate check, so not really the same thing.

2. Last leg of a trip, if I've shopped to excess and/or acquired large volumes of liquids (not infrequently as gifts from people who don't think about how heavy they are).

If my bag goes missing at this point (and it's happened twice) I just fill out the paperwork and head home to wait for taxi delivery of my bag.

It's about time to describe my 24 hours in travel hell that I mentioned up thread, particularly as it illustrates just how much easier it all was as the result of packing light.

First, some background info: I've got old friends in both France and Italy, but when I first planned this trip decided that I would concentrate on Paris. But then one of my friends in Paris had to cancel, and another friend in Milan convinced me go to Italy after all.

So there I was, yet again considering a non-protected connection. We all know how this story goes, right? Anybody want to supply the details?

I think Theresa is a magician when it comes to packing! However, she's a slim, smallish magician. (I was intrigued and looked up her earlier posts.

I'm 5'10" and big. I couldn't possibly fit those clothes in MY size in a carry-on. But I probably could do it in the next size up bag, which I think is a 22" and would have to be checked.

I noticed her tendency to wear clothes made from silk, lightweight and synthetic fabrics. That is something I try to do, but I am addicted to corduroy and wool, and I do most of my traveling between January and March so some warmer, heavier items are inevitable.

May I suggest people consider a raincoat (kneelength) with a warm, zip-out lining for outerwear? Wear it on the plane and it's not a packing problem. Include a warm hatted, like a knitted cloche, a warm scarf (this is the time to indulge in cashmere) and thin kid lined gloves (again, cashmere is good), none of which take up appreciable space, and you're pretty well protected from the elements.

As for laundry, I have discovered soap in tablets, and I usually pack a baggy with 6 tablets for a 2-week trip (good for 3 loads of laundry). Takes up no space and you don't have to buy soap you won't use up.

And I cannot stress the value of really good, well-designed, sturdy but lightweight luggage with really durable wheels and a quality frame. If you like to travel, it's the best investment you can make.

I think the *right* suitcase is to some extent a personal choice. It depends on who you are, what you like to do, and the way you organize your packing. I like one big open space in my suitcase and compartmentalization in my carryons. But that's just me.

Awesome thread -- sorry Theresa, "story" -- this!

I wear the same basic clothing regardless of the season. In winter, I add long lightweight underwear (CuddleDuds) and heavier outerwear.