One Suit Case… What would you pack?

 

games packed in a suitcase

Photos and text, by Corey Amaro.

Chelsea leaves August the second, then Sacha leaves August the ninth (Tick-tock-tick-tock…) With one 20 kilo suitcase and a carry on per person.

Sacha summed it up, "I'm going to wear my winter clothes and jacket. I'll wear my bike as a scarf."

Chelsea was startled, not by Sacha's new way to wear a scarf but the fact that she couldn't take as many shoes as she would like.

"One pair of black pants, a black tee shirt, a black dress, black ballerinas …. basically can take you far." I offered.

"Mom!" is what she said.

rules of the game

What will I do when those two fly the nest?

Less laundry.

Not have to haul gallons of milk.

Never have to say, "Please, dumb the garbage!"

Speak less English.

painted wooden shoes

When I came to live in France, I sold my car, gave most my things away, left my bicycle in my parent's garage… I took my pillow, a holy water font that my grandmother gave me, two pillow cases trimmed with cutout lace from my cousins Judy and Joan, a couple of music cassettes, a cook book that my Aunt Eva May gave me, some photos of my family, a pot holder my mother made when she was a child and some clothes.

Later I would bring children's books, cracked walnuts from Aunt Louie, tortilla shells, chocolate chips and OshKosh for the children.

If you were traveling for a year with one suitcase what would you bring?



Comments

43 responses to “One Suit Case… What would you pack?”

  1. A credit card? 😉

  2. I would bring some comfortable clothes
    and lots of money to buy new clothes.
    There are some really good sales in the
    stores here in the states now.
    Jann

  3. Natasha Burns

    a suitcase full of cash to buy all the good stuff when i get there 🙂

  4. Catalina

    I left from Venezuela to Canada with a 20 kg suitcase… it was NOTHING inside! (when I took everything out it didn’t fill even a drawer…
    (and I realise that actually I was the ONLY one who took a “true” 20 kg one…other students just had lots more and nobody said anything!) I imagine that this is different nowadays
    I took one of my favourite books. Venezuelan corn flour (no, it is different than Mexican, Italian or any other and you can not make the same typical corn-Venezuelan-bread (arepa) that looks like an hamburger one) this one thrilled the customs guy.
    I didn’t took heavy winter clothes (we don’t need that in Venezuela…but also because you have to have them according to the real weather there, Europe’s winter may be different, so what you use in a place may not be appropriated in the other) and bought some there.
    A camera and a notebook
    walking shoes and going out ones (yes, only 2)
    jeans (2)
    and some “home things” as a picture in a frame or the pen I like
    not many clothes, only the ones I will be sure to wear (usually fashion is different and you will need something new)

  5. le petit cabinet de curiosites

    I lived almost the same experience as Chelsea. I was 18 years old. I was living France for one year to go to the states ( Rhinebeck). Just 20 kgs, I left with ” familiar things ” such as family’s photos , things I used to love, the bag my parents offered to me for my 18 th birthday, and some winter clothes .Then USA is the country of shopping so I bought so many things and clothes that my trip back was more difficult

  6. Rebecca

    I’m with you, Corey, and you, too Merisi! one pair pants, one skirt, one dress, tee shirts, and a pair of flats. And Chelsea surely will want to take YOUR credit card!

  7. Although I haven’t had to fit a year in a suitcase I have had two experiences of packing all I own into a small space.
    When I was 23 I married my husband who lived in another country. The next day he drove me away from my parents house with all my worldly possessions tightly packed into his little red Ford Fiesta.
    9 years later we once again moved, this time to the other side of the world, we had three young kids and packed our life into 8 suitcases.
    I wish your kids as much luck in their adventures as I had in mine!

  8. Of course your “babies” will want to bring family photos, favorite clothing, and the obvious necessities. But, most of all, they will bring with them in their hearts the love of their Mom and Dad, friends, and loved ones in France.

  9. 2 pants – denim & black, Skirt (long-ish), my beloved grey pashmina , 3 nice T-shirt, 2 tunics, blazer, 1 flat shoe, 1 flat sandal, basic ‘unders’, minimum toiletries (figure I can buy those as I go), mini photo album, shopping bag (I can always ship home!).
    Carry-on backpack (this stuff does NOT go under a plane!): laptop, cameras, notebook, pens and small purse stuffed with misc things.

  10. Chris Wittmann

    Three days after I married I set sail on the QE2 with 15 large boxes containing my whole life, including an antique curved top chest(my husband made a nice wooden crate to protect it) and it didn’t cost me a dime extra to load all my worldly possesions on board. There were tons of books, clothes, family momentos. When I returned to the US for good in 1978 I had only what I could carry in 2 suitcases, everything else was left behind. I would add jeans to that list of clothing you have, a bible, my most cherished old herbals and cookbooks, family photos,and at least one camera.

  11. Suzanne, the Farmer’s Wife

    Well, my dear Corey, because we are older and wiser we know……”One pair of black pants, a black tee shirt, a black dress, black ballerinas” …. and maybe some hiking boots and jeans. A couple of family photos, DEFINITELY my buckwheat husk pillow (fits in a backpack) and of course, a camera and a journal to record all the experiences.

  12. Shelley@thiswhiteshed.blogspot.com

    My cat and a cardigan.

  13. pauline

    When I traveled for six weeks in Europe I carried a backpack with two pairs of shoes and my toothbrush in it. My first stop was a second hand clothing store. I bought enough inexpensive clothing to cover my back and returned it, clean and pressed, before I left – it was the perfect solution!

  14. when I left Europe, I was lucky, I had two suitcases.. but still. And the styles are a wee bit different here than there. Now it’s not so much a difference. When I go to Europe, I can do a week in a carry on. black pants, a couple of t’s, jeans, a sweater, wear the jacket on the plane, take your music, camera and computer.. be done with it. Buy what you need when you get there has always been my motto.

  15. My love for adventure and travel. That should just about do it.

  16. Everton Terrace

    Heavens, I don’t know. My suitcase would probably look similar to your list. I always carry a large knit scarf – pashmina type. Can be used for a pillow or blanket in a pinch. Hitting the resale shops when you get somewhere is always a great idea – especially the ones near a university. Less laundry Corey, now you’re starting to look at the bright side of things!

  17. Ed in Willows

    When we are traveling for long periods of time, we ship a box or two ahead filled with clothes. It’s usually cheaper than what the airlines charge.

  18. I tend to travel heavy, so this would be a wonderful challenge and lesson for me, but, your aforementioned “blacks”, a few underwear changes, toothbrush. A must would be some pictures and some small token of what I was leaving behind (like your mom’s potholder). I would be tempted, like some here, to send a few boxes ahead and would absolutely have a journal and a few pens and I would need at least one book, paperback, to leave behind.
    I have a friend who always brings older clothes that she leaves behind wherever she travels. Good condition items that she leaves in hotel rooms. I love thrift shops for something left behind.
    The laundry, ahh, the laundry. We flew our daughter home a few times when she was in college and I still cringe as I see her laundry bag on the conveyer belt at baggage claim, filled with her dirty laundry that she checked! The laundry will come, Corey, just not every day.

  19. Kathie B.

    Corey, I heartily second Ed in Willows’ recommendation re the kids shipping boxes of stuff separately to your Mom. The sooner the better, preferably so the boxes will be waiting upon their arrival.
    I agree with others that one can always buy more clothes/shoes (on sale, or second-hand), toiletries, other readily available items, heavy stuff, etc., upon arrival in Calif. Just bring the basics from France.
    Anything one can’t afford (financially or otherwise) to lose — or that is utterly irreplaceable but can’t be left home — should go in a carry-on bag, and never be let out of one’s sight while in transit.
    And always carry back-up flash drives with all important computer files and documents on one’s person.

  20. Michelle M in KY

    Why don’t you go with them? I mean, let them go in August & perhaps in October you go and visit with your Mom and then you will still be able to spend time with them. Or perhaps waiting until December and spending the holidays together in California. Oh Corey, I feel for you. I am certain that it will be lonely once they leave. Perhaps it’s time to open a shop or go in partners with someone who already has a shop there in France. You can be the picker since you have such a good eye and then you can sell your wares in the shop. Just a thought. Or you could become a travel guide (like you’re doing already) – hosting people in your home and showing them all of the most fabulous places in France. Good luck Corey & my thoughts are with you.

  21. Toni Mason

    Corey come home with Sacha and Chelsea!! She can pack in your suit cases! At least all the shoes! Heck! I take 4 pair of shoes just to go for a weekend somewhere!

  22. waveney

    I am packing now for a flight to Washington state. I always pack lite in a small suitcase and always put it inside a larger suitcase. Like the Russian dolls.Only one to ckeck $$$$ and haul going and lots of room for booty on the return trip. The extra $$ geting home our antiques is not near as hard to take and if its a bust we check just one case.

  23. I know the quiet will creep in, but I think that once the initial silence wears off you’ll be expanding new adventures to fill the empty spaces left behind (like maybe the book you talked about doing?).
    Like other commenters, I’d vote for a trip back to Willows for you and/or FH. Give the kids a chance to soak up the attention and then pop in for a visit and see the rest of your family; I’m sure they miss you!
    As for the packing–I don’t think they’ll need much. It’s cheaper to buy the few things they’ll need for their extended stay than to pay the extra baggage fees.

  24. All I need is my camera with loads of memory and my journal to pack full of memories — and comfortable shoes to walk and walk and basic black clothes and loads of scarves…..

  25. Cheryl ~ Casual Cottage Chic

    A cell phone and laptop! Oh, yes, and a credit card with NO LIMIT!

  26. My laptop, cellphone, and camera, so I can skype everyone back home, and take photos of what I see. OH, and my sketchbook. One of the fun things about traveling is buying new clothes and shoes, so you fit in!
    We have lots of great shoe stores here!

  27. 2 pairs of jeans, a black skirt and a black dress, layering tops in black and grey. A journal. Sunscreen. Walking shoes and sandals. A camera. I would love to say books, but they weigh to much and take up too much space, so I guess that is it!

  28. J. Is a bird

    The packing advice I always give, when asked;)
    “Whatever you do, don’t forget to pack your patience!”
    J.

  29. Lia deKoster

    On reflection,
    Technology…photo’s are now tiny
    space savers.
    Always blank paper and a fine pen.
    I’m a hunter gatherer girly girl
    with a bit of
    ” I can do it” mentality.
    But face cream because I’m an old girl.
    and comfy georgous shoes
    and stunning
    layering
    dresses
    jacket
    tops
    tights
    and room
    to gather
    new
    old
    stuff
    that
    others are discarding.
    Memories and stories abound take up the most room in my head.
    I love your luggage (stories)
    that you share daily….
    ta…

  30. bubble wrap so I can wrap my brocante finds!

  31. I would take my journal, bible, my favorite loose tea, and my favorite teacup from my grandmother. Comfy clothes and of course m purple slippers. They go everywhere I do.
    hugs and blessings

  32. dotsie (aka podso)

    I feel your mother’s heart … this is sort of full circle for you, isn’t it?
    I’m sure your kids can buy clothes in the US, they need to take along the treasures they can’t do without–that speak of home and remind them of who they are!

  33. Rhonda P.

    Your basic black clothes, as you said, I think they are life savers. You can always buy tops, sweaters and jackets once you get to your destination. My favorite perfume, a rosary, camera, phone, favorite lipstick, makeup and a small journal in order to jot down my adventures and read on the way back home.

  34. I’d travel light because I hate checking luggage, and then I’d ship all the things I couldn’t carry on!

  35. Keep it simple. Two pairs of shoes, two pants, two skirts, two tops,two blazers, etc. One set for casual and one for dressy.
    When traveling, the local dress code is always different so shopping is a must in the new environment.
    Pictures from home, other than that I can’t think of anything that is a must have for one year.
    I’m guilty of visiting home with my bag of laundry – must be the college code of conduct. Also, when I left home I didn’t know how to cook and I got very homesick for a good meal. A cookbook with simple recipes would be good.
    I left home in tears and dad’s words of wisdom – “be careful, don’t spend all your money on clothes, call us when you get there, etc…. Of course I didn’t listen as I was one of the best dressed students. But I still cherish the advice.

  36. Joan Tankersley

    I would pack a suitcase full of hope, a blanket full of memories, and a scarf to wrap around my neck-full of courage. I may be faced with this choice soon. So, in all honesty, I would probably bring 5 pairs of shoes, well maybe 10. 🙂

  37. michael

    hah! (do i say that every time?)
    i can’t walk around the corner without a steamer trunk. so i guess i’m not going anywhere major anytime soon.

  38. Sissy Thomas

    I say pay the extra 32euros(on United)and take an extra bag. It is alot cheaper than having to mail them something they forgot and can’t live without. We returned home to Texas from Holland after having lived there for 2 years and we had 7 suitcases for the 2 of us (mostly mine of course).I was so afraid that I could not make it without those packed items for 6 weeks until our container arrived.I do tend to ALWAYS pack too much. I always travel with an extra suitcase – to have room for all the treasures I find.I hope they enjoy their time in the states. I wish happiness for you.

  39. Twinkleberry

    Take as little as you can possibly get away with – I did travel for a year in my younger and wilder days – and left home with far to much “stuff” – which I ended up throwing away as it was more trouble carting it all over the world than it was having – you won’t believe how liberating it is to make do with less…..

  40. I went for 2 weeks around Europe took 2
    extra suit cases and as I traveled south I left my clothes in the hotels ended up with one carry on.I am sure your children could do that. A year is a long trip.
    yvonne

  41. Your family must be so excited to have Sacha for a year and Chelsea so near.
    ~elaine~

  42. I am a minimalist at home, but a terrible over packer. I used to tell my former bf who mocked my large suitcase and who never traveled with more than a carry on, ” I like to have options!”
    Necessities: anything technology! phone, camera, laptop!
    Shoes!!
    Sketch pad, pencil, big eraser, colored pencils, scissors, thread, a bit of fabric.
    Water!! Lotion, razor, beautiful lingerie!!

  43. I think this new Fiesta is very nice but it shows how expensive new cars can be…a few years ago these would have run you around $13,000 topped out now they are creeping into midsize sedan price…that will be the deal breaker for most people.

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