For this trip, the cute little red roll-on suitcase pictured above, was all that I took with me along with one small shoulder bag that fit under the seat. It's amazing how quickly you can get through customs when you don't have to claim any luggage.
There was one other new thing I tried on this recent trip. Instead of booking a hotel in London, I tried that relatively new service called Airbnb. It's a service that matches people looking for a short-term place to stay with people who have rooms or apartments to rent. In my case, I booked a room in someone's home. The photo above was taken in my room on the morning I was leaving to return home. The room was comfortable and I had my own bathroom to use. My hosts were very friendly and helpful and I must say, I enjoyed their company while I was there.
Another great thing about traveling light was that when I arrived in London, I got on the underground with my bag, changed lines at one point and got off at my destination station and then followed the directions to place I was staying. No fighting with a huge suitcase and no expensive taxis. It was so easy and had the added benefit of giving me a great feeling of accomplishment.
Another added convenience was my great little Nikon Coolpix camera. I only have to take one camera with me and no extra lenses. It does it all, excellent telephoto, wide angle, macro, and a variety of settings that let me take just about any type of exposure I wanted.
So my new motto when I travel, simplify, simplify!
15 comments:
The camera and lenses are my current curse, though like you I have a point-and-shoot that really does an amazing job. I ought to rely on it more often, probably.
I am BIG on simplification, both in travel and in life. It drives Dave crazy. Every time he wants to buy something I complain that we don't need it! (And we usually don't, but sometimes he buys it anyway!!)
Now you are staring to think like a man :) Of course all bets are off on a fishing trip. That's when we need all of the accessories.
What a great review of what really simplifies travels. It's my philosophy too.
I've tried Sharon....but you know you never know when you're going to need the ten pairs of shoes you just have to take incase..... and never wear any of them :). Next time!
Easier said than done! Kudos to you for your new habits, I am still trying. . . unsuccessfully! Glad that you had a great experience with the new service; I'm not that brave nor feel secure yet about it.
You have accomplished what Julie never will.
You are so smart! I'd have a problem without my DSLRs, though. There isn't a p&s in the world that can match them for low light or action shots!
I enjoyed this post very much! We've come to the same conclusions and travel with about 1/2 the stuff we used to desperately "need"!
Well done! I plan to take a leaf out of your book...excellent advice. Especially good for those travelling to the UK.
I think when you met us in Oregon for the weekend, you brought a huge suitcase. Yes, the Nikon is a versatile camera and not as heavy to carry either.
The room looks very nice - I'll have to remember that Airbnb.
I always have too many clothes but only take a P&S camera so that is easy.
That's the way to do it, simplify simplify... it's the future!
Good for you, Sharon.
I've already adopted that attitude. I actually moved from Arizona to Texas a little over three years ago on an airplane with TWO suitcases! Of course I shipped my computer equipment! I have missed very little of what I left behind or disposed of.
I meant to say "always," not "already." Why is it you always see the mistake in the nanosecond after you click "publish" and when it happens?
Sharon, my hat is off to you. I won't follow you, but still, my hat is off to you. Between my DSLR (and a couple of P&S backups) and lenses and laptop and . . . ), I already have a big duffel bag full before I bring any clothes. My contention is that it takes a lot more room to pack size 14 shoes than those little things that women wear.
A friend has just put her house on airbnb and is getting heavy response already. I haven't tried it yet, but sometime I might. If you ever want to visit West Hartford, you can stay in my friend's house.
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