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April 20, 2010
Pack light and right
Text by Maan D’Asis Pamaran
There’s no better time to take a trip. The city is hot and stuffy; the beaches beckon, the mountains summon. Summer is the season to take a journey, either to the old hometown to reunite with the familiar, or to scenic spots to meet new people and try new cuisine. Domestic or International? The choices are almost limitless, especially since there are already many airlines that offer friendly rates.
After the nitty-gritty of deciding where to go, and arranging details such as transportation and lodging, it is time to pack your bags. That may sound simple, until you find out that after cramming some of your stuff in, your bag won’t zip up, and you still haven’t packed half of what you’ve decided to wear. This is precisely when the first twinges of panic sets in. You feel like you’re in a game show where you have to be able to jam everything in the bags, and still keep within the luggage limit that the airline allows. Only, instead of winning a kabuhayan package or an electric airpot, the jackpot is that you won’t have to pay extra charges for your luggage, and you actually save money by not having to make a pitstop at a convenience store for a shamefully overpriced toothbrush. Not to mention the fact that you won’t look like a bedraggled ninny, dragging several suitcases and carry-ons when you check into the resort or hotel for a three-day/two-night stay.
Then, there’s also this very challenging task of packing for a baby. While it may seem simpler, because their clothing is definitely lighter and more itty-bitty, the greater challenge is bringing along everything that the kid may possibly need. We’ve asked two seasoned travelers for help, and they’ve gladly shared some tips on how they do it light and right.
PACKING FOR YOU
Chiqui Mabanta, who owns chic vegetarian restaurant Corner Tree Café in Makati, shares these tips for putting everything you need in your bag, while taking out the stress from your trip:
• Choose Lightweight. If not going to a cold place, bring as much light cotton-knit t-shirts/clothes as possible. They don't crease so, no there’s need to iron. Jeans are heavy, so maybe bring just one pair if you must.
One rule of thumb: If you are going to be at the same place for 3 days or more, unpack everything and put them in proper shelves or hang clothes that need to be hung. It's much easier that way and you’ll feel more organized.
There are also many light products now: foldable umbrellas, towels (tip: waffle towels are most absorbent, light, and dry quickly), light waffle/towel slippers for after a bath, in case there’s no bath mat for drying feet. Even travel bags are made lighter now.
• Think small. Transfer the contents of big bottles or packages into smaller plastic travel ones. Never bring whole bottles of shampoo, cologne, etc., if you aren't staying away too long. I sometimes even cut my bar of soap in half!
• Go for light reading, literally. I actually compare books I'm thinking of bringing to see which ones are the lightest then I leave the heavy ones. Some books are really heavy. So are magazines, so maybe buy just one or two magazines at the airport if you have to.
• Bring Ziploc bags. They are great for packing small things like toiletries (sanitary napkins, etc.) or loose things like bottles, a Swiss knife, a flashlight, and mosquito repellant. Masking tape is also a must—it is good for labeling and for sealing bottles that might leak.
PACKING FOR BABY
Jammy Talanay-Tuazon, a training officer at the Ateneo Center for Continuing Education, often assists offsite seminars to the provinces with graduate school professors. And she has a four-year-old daughter who has already been bitten by the travel bug. Guia is a veteran of family trips to Tagaytay and overnighters with her doting grandparents, and she happily visits her Daddy, who is based in Cebu. On this note, Jammy shares suggestions on stress-free packing for a baby.
• List it down. Have a list of all the things you need a day or two before actually packing. Review the list before getting started. It would help if you categorize your list into: clothes (daytime and night time), medicines, toiletries, shoes, other needs (like a bottle sterilizer, if needed), and toys so you're sure you won’t forget anything. An important note: It's always better to bring more than less for kids.
• Go night and day. Arrange clothes by the set so it will be easier. So, when you need it, you just pick out the whole set (e.g. pajama for Night 1: pajama set, nappies/underwear, bedroom socks; for Day 1 shirt, nice pants, nappies/underwear, socks, etc). If your kid still uses diapers, make sure you always have one unopened extra pack with you (in case you won’t be able to buy where you're going)
• Think dirty. Have plastic bags in the luggage for dirty clothes. Bring a small pack of detergent soap, just in case the baby vomits and you need to do an emergency wash.
• Separate the essentials. Have a smaller bag with basic necessities like an extra set of clothes, a bib, a towel for the back, a water bottle, milk, and important toiletries like powder, alcohol, soap. You could also tuck in basic meds like paracetamol, and allergy medicine if applicable. Also have one to two toys within reach to fight baby boredom.
• Stash the list. Keep the list where you can easily see it. Also keep a copy for future reference.
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