Thursday, September 21, 2006

12 days and counting...

I am now officially in the throes of preparing for my trip.

I do this much like one might prepare for an international move to a third world country. This is when I act like Rome is not the largest city in Italy, with retailers and services far and away more comprehensive than those in my own hometown, and instead like an unknown civilization with limited means that can be entered only by the most self-sustaining and resourceful travelers.

Clearly, this is not the case.

I mean, for starters, there are more than three million people living there. Which means they must at least have one shoe store.

Shoes?

Italian shoes?

Who has heard of such things?

I say this because I just bought three pairs of shoes for my trip. Yes three. And I already have at least two at home earmarked for the suitcase. That brings us to five pairs for nine days. No, I'm not trying to wear a different pair everyday. But one must be prepared for all scenarios, and so I pack more shoes.

This might *might* be why I hate packing so much. Clearly I have a hard time being decisive when faced with a defined travel period, my closet and a "whimsical" method of getting dressed. (Whimsical=slow and mind-numbing) This might also explain why I race off to buy a bunch of new clothes (and shoes) and then debut them during my trip, without properly road-testing them on my home turf. I mean, being faced with having to make attractive outfits from a limited wardrobe for more than seven separate days is a challenge I'm simply not up to. So, I shop.

This is always a mistake. This is how one ends up in a foreign country unknowingly exposing the native countrymen to ones private bits thanks to a poorly installed zipper or peek-a-boo button. These things should be tried out close to home and within arm's reach of a handful of safety pins. (Note to self: pack safety pins)

Regardless of the woes that surely await me, I've shopped. And I fear, I have shopped beyond my means to carry. My suitcase may have the ability to unzip an extra three inches of storage space, but it isn't one of those cartoon suitcases in which you can house a full grown hippopotamus playing a cello. Sadly. Since that would mean I could bring at least two more pairs of shoes and maybe even my boots. *Drool*

So I'm at that scary point in my packing (fricken 'ew) when I have to reacquaint myself with the laws of physics and start nixing clothes for the sake of space and so that hubby will not roll his eyes when he sees me trying to oldschool close my suitcase by sitting on it. Again, this is not a cartoon.

15, 14, 13, 12...

7 comments:

  1. When I go to Italy, I pack as little as possible and return with one or two extra suitcases. This sort of behavior would probably upset the husband more than sitting on an overstuffed suitcase to close it.

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  2. I always try to limit myself to 2 pairs of shoes. One pair that are dressier and cute, one pair of walking shoes. It's amazing how many more clothes you can fit when you eliminate a pair of shoes. Plus, hello! Italy! Shoes!

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  3. Steven - Actually, I think you're right on. And I will do this. Especially since we're doing some short trips (Ischia and Bologna) while I'm there so I'll need some extra luggage anyways for my little overnighters. And I'll just go ahead and get a nice little gift for my poor closetspace-starved husband while I'm there so he'll forgive me.

    Caro - TWO PAIRS OF SHOES? You really are my hero. I was in Arizona last weekend for TWO DAYS and I brought three pairs of shoes. Two pairs is simply impossible. Although, it would probably cut down on the eyerolling by hubby.

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  4. you can NEVER have too many shoes....Extra storage space IN your suitcase!? Bahh..bring an extra suitcase. No need to sacrafice style, for the sake of rolling eyes. :D

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  5. OMG, methinks we might be kindred spirits for sure.

    Have a lovely time my dear! Buy more shoes while you're there...LOL

    While you're roming about Rome, I'll be in New Zealand searching for hobbits. I'll check in when I return.

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  6. I promise I won't let my recent jaunt into movie-making mahem cause any hiccups in your scheduled arrival. No Hollywood star can match up to my Bombshell!

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  7. *eyes rolling*

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[2013 update: You can't comment as an anonymous person anymore. Too many douchebags were leaving bullshit SPAM comments and my inbox was getting flooded, but if you're here to comment in a real way like a real person, go to it.]

Look at you commenting, that's fun.

So, here's the thing with commenting, unless you have an email address associated with your own profile, your comment will still post, but I won't have an email address with which to reply to you personally.

Sucks, right?

Anyway, to remedy this, I usually come back to my posts and post replies in the comment field with you.

But, if you ever want to email me directly to talk about pumpkins or shoes or what it's like to spend a good part of your day Swiffering - shoot me an email to finnyknitsATgmailDOTcom.

Cheers.