It was the face wash spilling out the suitcase that caught my attention. I was doing my Friday morning walk - solo. Usually I add in a bit of a run but, as I'm still getting over the summer cold that took up residence earlier this week, I settled for a walk accompanied by my camera.I strolled down Lonsdale and took a couple of shots of a good place to breakfast in the summer, a coffee shop where I like to sit outside and write, and the great view of Vancouver that greets me from across the water. I ambled along to the Quay. I was in no hurry today.
"Do you need help?" I asked as I picked the face wash up off the sidewalk. "Yes, please," she responded as she quickly sussed out the keys in my left hand and the camera in my right hand - nothing with which I could knock her over the head and steal her belongings. Besides which, in my walking gear, with my hair tied back and mascara smudges under my eyes I doubt I looked very threatening.
I looked around for her travelling partner. With two large suitcases, a duffle bag, a big backpack and the face wash loose in her hand, this couldn't all be her luggage. "I was wondering how I was going to do this," she quipped. "With great difficulty," I thought. I pulled one large suitcase while she grappled with her other luggage. I couldn't help myself, "Is this all your luggage?"
"Yes, I'm from Victoria but I've spent two months in Regina. I'm stopping in Vancouver for a conference on my way home," she offered by way of explanation. I succeeded in not raising my eyebrows. All this luggage, even for two months! It looked more like she was moving countries - permanently.
We made it from the totem pole, past the coffee shop to the entrance of the hotel. We zipped the three flights up the elevator to the foyer of the hotel. Pretty spiffy! I always wondered what the hotel at the quay was like - judging by the foyer, not bad. I left her in the capable hands of the concierge.
Young lady, you've got to learn to travel light. Even if you are gone for two months, you pack for one week, ten days, on the outside. That's what washing machines, laundromats and sinks are for. Account for changes in the weather, make sure you have one good pair of pants, three pairs of shoes at the most (runners, sandals and a smart pair), clothes that don't crease easily and co-ordinate well. Sure you won't have a variety of colours and styles, with accent jewelry to match, but this is a temporary situation. And if you're travelling for work, the same rules apply, except that you'll need two pairs of smart pants. Okay maybe three.
More and more, M and I are learning to travel light through life. With every extended trip to visit family, we find we take fewer pieces of luggage. Downsizing to an apartment last year was a real lesson in getting rid of superfluous stuff. It wasn't easy at first but we did get the hang of moving some possessions on to their next life. Now, before anything new comes in our door, we ask where it is going to go. If it doesn't have a place, it isn't coming in.
We don't always get it right but we are lighter than we were before.
