September
14, 2013
(a.k.a.
packing day)
The rain patters softly outside, the air cool on my
skin but sweat from the effort I'm exerting still beats on my face. I push
boxes out of the way in my storage area and dig out my suit cases. The old ones
I've had a while, and one massive new suit case. This suit case was one I
bought specially for my three week trek to Ireland. It wasn't a joke suit case,
this was a suit case to be reckoned with. Purple in color and standing to my
hips in height this suit case was like another member of the party. Seriously,
this suit case was big, I could have curled up in this bag and taken a nap it
was so big, except the metal handle bars running on the inside of the bag might
be a little uncomfortable to lie on. This would be a bag that could double as a
chair when standing up, a coffee table when laid on its side, and a foot stool
when laid flat. Formidable as it was, I
wondered if I'd be able to get everything I needed into this bag for the three
weeks I was going.
Finally successful in freeing my luggage, I roll them
across the patio and into my bedroom. Music from Flogging Molly blares from my
small CD player, a nod to the Irish music I would hopefully hear quite a bit
while overseas. I heft my massive suitcase onto the bed and mentally go through
my checklist of items to pack. Then going to my closet I start to pull what I
want to pack and toss it on the bed. I do the same with my dresser until I have
a mountain of clothing, underwear, and pajamas on my bed next to the suit case.
I pause and hit the bathroom and pack my toiletries in the five zipper pouches
that will serve as my bathroom for the next month and shove the pouches into a
smallish bag that will take up a corner of the purple behemoth on my bed. After
shoving the bathroom bag into the larger case, I sort through the mountain of
clothes on the bed. I eliminate items, fold the ones that make the cut and
start to fill my case. Then the agony of deciding on shoes, I go over my shoe
options and finally narrow down to three pair. My cross trainers for the days
of walking ahead, a pair of boots (for the many rainy days I was sure to see),
and slippers I could wear at night. The boots and slippers are shoved into the
bag, my sneakers stay out to wear on the journey. Finally finished packing, I
lower the suitcase to the floor, nearly throwing my back out in the process.
Finn, my little dog, begins to dance around me as I
pack his belongings to go. He's coming down to Phoenix with me but will sadly
be left there with a friend. After I have everything I need for my trip, and
for my dog placed by the front door, I put together a small bag, for the next
two days so I don't have to continuously dig in the large bag. Then I put the
unused luggage back into storage and lock it up. I tidy up my apartment and
make sure everything is in its place. I have spent the last week ruthlessly
cleaning every nook and cranny of this place. No way was any bug or creature
going to squat in my apartment while I was gone. I was making sure of that!
T-minus 15 hours before I headed to Phoenix! What a great night.
