on the road
In June of 2002, when I was 17, I packed my bags with great enthusiasm for a teen tour to Australia with 41 of my classmates at my all-girls Catholic school. I brought all my cutest shorts and t-shirts, all my bathing suits and sundresses, a lovely polyester maxi skirt from Delia’s. I popped my platform J.Crew flip-flops onto my feet, walking carefully so as not to turn an ankle.
Then I got off the plane in Sydney and realized what I’d somehow failed to on my 22-hour sojourn across the ocean, or in all the days and weeks leading up to my trip:
summer in Westchester County means winter in Australia.
And that is the story of how I traveled the world wearing the same ratty pair of navy blue sweatpants for 14 days in a row.
I’ve traveled a lot since 2002, and I like to think I’ve gotten marginally better at packing my bags since then. So in honor of the Epic Reads Tour kicking off today, I thought I’d share 10 things I made sure to shove into my suitcase this time around.
Gold studs: for immediately feeling 30% more put together. I love these from Moulton.
Pistachios and dark choc: I’d like to tell you I’m a cool travel customer 100% of the time, but the truth is I go from zero to hangry like, scarily fast. It helps to have emergency snacks to shove into my piehole in case things start to get dire.
Dark jeans: make it harder for you to notice when I inevitably spill guacamole on them!
Wedge booties: I feel like I carry myself more like an adult when I’ve got a shoe with a heel on, but my tendency toward accidental self-harm is well-documented in this space. These seem to have a pretty good center of gravity, which is always a plus.
Leather jacket: for an extra shot of bravery.
Umbrella: because every time I don’t bring one I end up soaking wet in line at CVS behind a bunch of other soaking wet people also buying marked-up desperation umbrellas. Like a chump.
Blanket scarf: I forgot my blanket scarf when I went to LA and I legit almost cried in the airport like a small child. It’s a blanket! It’s a scarf! It’s a pillow! It’s a tent! It is a goddamn miracle, is what it is, and I have placed it right next to my front door so I don’t accidentally leave it this time.
Mom’s emergency pouch: I read once that if you carry an Advil, a band aid, and a tampon, people will always think you have your shit together even when all other evidence clearly indicates to the contrary.
More underwear and hair ties than I could ever possibly need: because I have never once in my life thought, damn, I really brought too many hair ties and pairs of underwear on this trip.
Nora Roberts audiobook: for emergency consumption in blanket tent, natch.
Hey Chicago-types, come see me tonight at 5pm at The Bookstall! I hear there’s gonna be pizza. And check out the rest of the Epic Reads events here. Can’t wait to meet you all!