Going International? Go Lightly

Who can stand the airport these days?
Wouldn’t it be great if teleporting were not just the stuff of science fiction? What a dream to travel internationally, or even in the US, without the hassle of baggage checks and baggage handlers!
My personal philosophy is “If it doesn’t fit in my back pack, it doesn‘t make the trip!”
What can I say? I’m sorry, I have trust issues. The idea of strangers rifling through my luggage behind the scenes makes me shudder. I refuse to check baggage.
When I was growing up, my parents had their own hard and fast rule for travel, “You bring it, you carry it!”
All of which adds up to make me a very light packer.
There are plenty of things you can do to lighten your suitcase. Here are some ideas for how to pack for a two week vacation in a small rolling suitcase that fits under the seat, plus a back pack:
-Only go to the beach. Just kidding.
-Always pack your swim suit in your purse. Seriously. Why would you take a chance with the item that is the most difficult thing in the world to fit? It represents hours spent in the dressing room, why would you trust it to behind the scenes Baggage Riflers? Not that they would actually want to steal a middle-aged woman’s swim suit, I’m not paranoid, well, but you never know.
-Put your purse in your back pack, along with a small book, a small camera, a paper back novel, and your zip lock bag of liquids.
-Wear a versatile, comfortable jacket and your walking shoes on the plane. Wearing them will free up room in your suitcase, plus the temperature on the plane will always be predictably unpredictable.
-Speaking of shoes, tennis shoes and baseball caps may mark you as an American. Take a hat, but choose one that can be shoved in a pocket and come out retaining its shape.
-Bring cheap, neutral clothes that you can leave behind when you return home.
-Leave your good jewelry at home and invest $5 dollars or less in something fun, colorful, sparkly, and obviously fake. Take sparkly flip flops to match for the beach or a short walk to dinner.
- Get a haircut and leave the curlers at home, along with all the other appliances Americans think they need. Take a vacation from hours spent getting ready and experience natural glamour.
-Pack a fold up duffle bag in the bottom of your suitcase. When it’s time to come home, put your souvenirs, and your swim suits of course, in the duffel and carry them on the plane. Then, it is okay to check your rolling suitcase full of your dirty, cheap clothes.
If you have more practical ideas about international travel or light packing to share, I would love to pass them on.