Luggage and Travel Books

In 2006, our travel philosophy of "packing lite" was still in its infancy. I think we did an amazing job and only had a Victorianox rolling Duffel, a large backpack, and our own travel purses. We also stowed two duffelbags inside that we gradually pulled out for gifts and keepsakes. By the time we got to Berlin and then to Düsseldorf it was pretty ridiculous how much crap we were carrying around.



Scott lugging clothes up to the castle in Oberwesel, Oct. 2006



Ryan with our multitude of bags in Berlin Hauptbahnhof, Oct. 2006. Moments before this photo, Scott had realized that we were standing on the wrong platform (Gleiß) and we scurried to not miss our reservation on the train to Düsseldorf...and broke the strap on one bag. Uggh!

At one point in Frankfurt, the duffel was so full and we were walking to a train station (something we'll be doing more of during this trip because we won't have a beautiful car to ferry us around) and it literally started dragging on the ground. I thought that I was just getting weak, but the wheels had heated up and started loosening the bearings! There were lots of angry threats to that bag...even though it was awesome in every other aspect.



Scott with the amount of bags mid-way and just before our walk to the train station, Frankfurt, Oct. 2006

This time, our strategy will be to ship things home when appropriate, reduce the number of clothes and outfit options, stick with one pair of shoes, and go with a new backpack. We looked at some at REI yesterday and found one we both really liked. It has a day-pack attached so when on an airplane or train, you can stow your luggage and have your daypack with iPod, travel guides, journals, lipbalm, etc.



Eagle Creek Switchback Max 22", purchased from www.irvsluggage.com

We'll be able to test them out on our vacation to...Cancun!! I finally told Ryan the surprise, so in two weeks we'll be leaving for Cancun and a five-day relaxing vacation of NOTHING but celebrating Ryan's foray into his thirties. Woot! He's super excited and it certainly means the 2nd half of 2008 is in support of the motto we developed in Stuttgart back in 2006: "Less Work, More Travel."

Last night, on our way back from luggage shopping, I popped into Half Price Books and picked up a little guidebook to Cancun and Amsterdam.

Tschüß!!