Thursday, September 2, 2010

12 days, one backpack.

So we're going to be in Turkey for twelve days of sight seeing, basketball watching, sun bathing, and eating. We're also going to be staying at at least three different hostels/hotels, so I wanted to keep our baggage to a minimum since we'll be using public transportation to get around from place to place. This is the longest trip I've done with a carry on, and we'll see how it goes.

One thing about traveling with nothing but a carry on is that you should expect to be a little dirty. I packed some Febreze to mitigate some of the funk factor, but other than that, it's remix city.

Also, I'm pretty sure I've over packed yet again, but I like having options.


So this is my bag, which you can find here. It's not massive, but it's also not terribly small. I really like that it's got a lot of compartments and padded straps, which are nice.


I started with the essentials. I always pack my toiletries first because this is what I'm most likely to forget. I've got my quart-sized zip top bag with liquids, which I'll keep in my purse. Then I have my make up bag and my additional toiletries. Additional toiletries, you ask? I've got a bar of shampoo, a bar of conditioner, soap, and deodorant.


Now for the fun stuff: a swimsuit and a sarong. I chose my most modest swimsuit for this trip. Also, sarongs are the best thing ever for travel. They work as towels, as sheets, as skirts, as dresses, as scarves.... Yeah, they're gifted multi-taskers.


I chose six tops: two tanks (one casual and one fancy), two tee shirts, and a 3/4 sleeve tunic style top. These will be mixed and matched with my bottoms.


I've got three simple skirts: black pencil skirt, brown skirt, and grey jersey.


I'm taking two dresses with sleeves and two without. These might be worn as either shirts or skirts as well if I get either very bored or very creative.


I've got a pair of leggings for covering my knees at some of the sights. I figure I can wear these under my dresses or skirts for a little added modesty. They might also work as sleepwear at some point, I won't lie.


Two sets of pajamas and a giant bag of unmentionables.


A variety of belts for spicing things up. Also, I've got a handful of jewelry that will serve the same purpose. Of course, I didn't get pictures of that....


These cardigans will cover my shoulders for modesty's sake at different locales and will keep me warm if it's a little chilly.

As you can see, I clearly subscribe to the rolling method of packing. I roll things up tightly and layer them in, pretty much in the same order that they're pictured here. I packed the sarong in B.'s bag since I'll use it as a blanket on the plane and want it to be close at hand. I'll also admit to packing a pair of pants in his bag as well. Even though all my research tells me that Istanbul is a very cosmopolitan city and that women dress pretty much the way they do elsewhere in Europe, I may have freaked out and decided I needed a pair of pants so my knees are covered.


All of those things add up to one very full bag.

Oh, and I will not be barefoot. I put two pairs of sandals in the very bottom pocket of my bag and a pair of red wedges in the side pocket. I'll be wearing one additional pair of sandals, which puts me at four pairs of shoes.

I'll be wearing jeans and a woven top on the plane with an additional cardigan and a scarf, so expect those things to be thrown in the mix, too.

14 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh. I need you to come to my house and help me the next time I take a trip. Which will be the week between Christmas and New Years. Seriously. You are a master at this!

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  2. OMG
    You are good. Like, really good. Like I could take your bag and travel with it.
    I want to see all the looks you pull off..
    I am a little concerned about how you are going to bring what you buy there. WE ALWAYS buy something ! I suggest you add a fabric tote that you can roll or a duffle bag... just in case.
    Have a great trip.

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  3. you're a great packer! haha I enjoyed watching what you put in your bag. have a safe and fun trip!

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  4. I can't believe you got so much into such a small bag. Can I somehow magically obtain your packing skills because I'm a wreck when it comes to that.

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  5. Yes! the rolling method works! and if you need more travel tips, head to my blog and look for Wanderlust Week! have fun!
    --Elle Sees

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  6. Wow...you are surely prepared...and an awesome packer!! Really cute bag!!

    Thanks for stopping by my blog today!!

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  7. that is some serious packing skills! I tell you, that is a talent that some of us just don't have.

    Oh, you'll love Turkey!

    p.s. can you please send me that animal print belt? love..

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  8. I'm going to use this as inspiration when I take my vaca in October! I'm only going to Cali but, I always overpack :) Have fun and be safe on your trip!!

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  9. Great packing skills! Have a great holiday, I haven't been to Turkey so make sure you post some pics for me!

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  10. I don't know if I could live out of such a small bag for that long! But it's more about the experience than the clothes right?

    Hope you have a wonderful trip!!

    Chic on the Cheap

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  11. That's awesome!!! My husband and I backpacked through the Philippines for a month and it was CRAZY. I never felt so sweaty and hot in my life!

    clothed much, a modest fashion blog

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  12. Yes! the rolling method works! and if you need more travel tips, head to my blog and look for Wanderlust Week! have fun!
    --Elle Sees

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  13. Love this post! This will totally come in handy for my travels this summer. And I love your blog! I'm proud to be your newest follower! Hope you'll check out my blog and consider following me too :)
    xoxo Lauren
     http://happylifeinnyc.blogspot.com/

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  14. And I thought I was an efficient packer! Even when I fit myself into one rolling case (for example: http://www.closet-coach.com/2011/05/04/what-to-pack-for-a-week-long-spring-trip/) I always feel obligated to throw in 1 or 2 extra garments "just in case." And half my suitcase is toiletries/hair dryer/brush :) But I also usually wear pants/jeans, which are bulkier and harder to roll up than knit skirts & dresses. I'm inspired to look for more of those!

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