I am going to be away from home for 4 months. I have to exist in weather from the high 70 F to around -40. I have a sleeping bag that takes up almost an entire large bag by itself. I have a lot of luggage.
The average person goes away for perhaps one or two weeks. This generally does not require clothing for a wide range of temperatures, various gifts for host families, food for a 5-day train ride, or a sleeping bag rated for -40 degrees.
Some people do travel with vast wardrobes, hairstyling appliances, and god knows what else packed into overflowing suitcases. These people are (generally) douchebags.
When I am in possession of said copious and voluminous luggage, I feel like the biggest douchebag on the planet. I feel this compulsion to tell everyone I meet about the peculiar circumstances of my luggage.
But I can't. So I guess I'm just another douchebag American in the eyes of the world.
DD, your two bags are quite modest compared with some (many) people's excesses! I remember hopping on a flight from Sydney to Brisbane, my fellow Americans with their luggage piled high, and me with naught but that one vinyl carry-on I always use. One couple in particular had one of those big trolleys piled up 6' high with matching blue suitcases. The girl checking in the bags looked at the trolley and quietly asked me, "What do Americans pack in all those suitcases?" I really found that funny. I was glad I wasn't considered one of the "Ugly Americans", but amused that she'd think I'd know.
ReplyDeleteI supposed it's how we insulate ourselves. We want to go someplace unfamiliar, but we want to bring the famaliarity of our entire home with us when we go. (And I use the word "we" without actually including you or myself. WE couldn't possibly be douchebags!)