Packing

Packing has to be one of my least favourite parts of the whole going away process. I think it's all the decision making that has to go into it and the underlying knowledge that if the wrong decision is made then I'll have to live with (or without) it for the whole time I'm away. Do I need five T-shirts or will four be enough? How many pairs of trousers do I need? What about something smart to wear (just in case)? Will my clothes be culturally appropriate? Is it ever going to get cold enough that I'll need something warm to wear? Do I need more of everything because I am away for longer?

My packing process is in three phases. First there is the initial 'gathering' phase where, over a period of several weeks, I gradually collect together all the non-clothes items in a pile in a corner of my bedroom. Then when the time comes to pack I lay everything I am going to take, including my clothes, out on my bed, checking that nothing has been forgotten. Finally (and, when she's around, with the help of my house-mate Sheryl, who actually seems to enjoy packing) everything is packed into the case one layer at a time.

Working on the principle that "if you can't carry it you shouldn't take it" (well, you never know how far you may need to walk with all your bags and no trolley) I try to keep my luggage to one main bag and one piece of hand luggage. It hasn't been possible this time as I am also taking items for the MAF programme in Chad, which means I have an extra bag and some spare space. With less than 24 hours to go until my flight there are a few last minute things to pack and time to remember anything I may have forgotten.

P.S. I took some photos of the packing process, with this blog in mind, and then realised I have packed the lead used for downloading the photos. As it is right at the bottom of a locked case it was an easy decision to make for this to be a photo-less post...