Packing for the moon: Or how to fit 10lbs of crap into a 5lb bag.

When planning for any trip, much of the anticipation about the upcoming adventure involves shopping for the perfect travel clothes, comfortable but stylish walking shoes, the jacket that will go with everything, and that perfect little dress for that special night out with your sweetie.  Oh, and they better not make you look old and fat in those pictures you are going to share!  Then you pull out that bag that you know you can manage up the inevitable broken escalator in the train station and that adorable little shoulder bag to carry on the plane with your "essentials" for the flight.  Next you lay out your clothes, your electronics, your cosmetics and to add to the disaster that is emerging on your bedroom floor, all of the necessary tools and supplies for biking.

Ok, deep breath, the bike stuff can go in the bike box.  But only 70 lbs! The box and bike alone weighs about 50.  Oh, this is not looking good for those cute boots I was hoping to wear around Amsterdam.

We are again getting ready to embark on another adventure lasting for 5 months, traveling with Ziggy, our bikes and one suitcase each.  This time I had also hoped to carry along a better kitchen survival kit, with a good knife, a French coffee press, some sort of spice starter kit, my yoga mat, Ziggy's bed... you get the idea.

The 5 pairs of pants just became 3. The 3 sweaters-1.  Don't talk about the shoe problem.  I am not ready for that conversation yet.

In my mind I am also thinking about things I will miss about home, the US and my daily life. First and foremost is my daily walk and talk with my sister, Janet, as she drives to work and I walk Zigs. My family and friends. There are my yoga and spin classes, and my friends that attend with me. My comfortable and familiar house.... I also know I have weighed myself for the last time in 5 months.  Used my last garbage disposal, and probably my last clothes dryer.  I have enough peanut butter for about 10 days. Ditto the hot mocha mix... But travel is all about change.  Of your environment, your perceptions, your daily routine. I am ready for the next chapter. To infinity, and Croatia!