Travel Lite

July 2, 2018

The 6:35 To Seattle

 

   Big ideas get tested out in small increments. The same holds true for idiotic ones. It occurred to me one afternoon, after slinging Claude over my back and almost launching myself into the unsuspecting woman standing behind me, that it might be possible to travel for an extended period of time without a backpack. Just my eVest. The more I thought about it, the more ridiculous it became, so the more I liked it.

   My current eVest comes with 14 pockets. I’ve already proven it can contain every vital item I need to travel, from money and credit cards to passport, eurail pass, phone, tablet, medications, chargers, toiletries and even snacks. With some rearranging, there’s room for one additional item that would make eVest-only travel possible. I think.

   Reflecting on it, I realized about the only reason I need Claude along on my trips is to carry my changes of clothes. Since most of my wardrobe currently consists of apparel purchased at second hand stores, it doesn’t represent much of an investment. Plus replacing any of it means just another trip to Goodwill. Why not simply do that while on the road?


"We don't see what the big deal is, Grandpa"

“We don’t see what the big deal is, Grandpa”

   Cutting to the chase, if I can replace the clothes I’m wearing with a trip to a European flea market, and donating the previously worn ensemble to same, there’d be no need to pack any changes of clothes. Learning from past olfactory examination, I can assert a possible life cycle for the clothes on my back during travel:

●     Jeans: 5-6 days

●     Shirts: 3 days

●     Socks: 2-3 days

●     Other items: 2 days


"I think I know where Grandpa put his skivvies!"

“I think I know where Grandpa put his skivvies!”

   (Add additional 24-48 hours for travel to northern climes (except for items signified by “other”).

   Thus, by adding a couple pair of skivvies and a T-shirt to the eVest (the skivvies being designated as disposable) I could theoretically make say a two – three week trip with only my eVest and a couple of visits to a flea market during my travels.

   What was left to do was to test out the theory on an actual trip. The three days I planned to Vancouver and back should do it.

   What a pleasure to begin a trip without dragging a suitcase or slinging a backpack! Travel became more like a stroll, stowing your kit consisted of no more than plopping yourself in a business class seat, opening up an ebook and enjoying the ride. No baggage to claim or retrieve upon arrival. Slip on the eVest and you’re ready to rock and roll. Only a snail or turtle would know the feeling of such unburdened freedom of movement.


eVest has plenty of room for everything, including a London doubledecker and a TV remote

eVest has plenty of room for everything, including a London doubledecker and a TV remote

   The one or two items I forgot to “eVest” ( my new term for “packing”) could easily be added to existing pocket space. Aside from that, I had everything I needed for my two-nighter in Vancouver, including a handful of queen olives and two leftover chicken strips for my dinner on train up. (The skivvies were not disposable, and I will only add I managed an entirely serviceable solution of same thanks to the generous depth of a zippered pocket helpfully located beneath the eVest’s armpit.)

   So, on an extended trip to Europe,I will only have to find a flea market  starting, say, on day four of a current leg of travel, and by day six, be ready with a fresh ensemble to begin a new adventure with literally only the clothes on my back.

   I’m giving a whole new meaning to such common travel phrases as “packing for the trip,” “checked baggage” and “carry-on items.” I’m thinking “carry-with” or “dress and go.” Or as a potential future travel companion has termed it, “solo travel.”

  1. Angie says:

    Hello I haven’t read many blogs but that’s my new life goal before I start one of my own as I am a frustrated writer at heart but I must say I loved your blog it is hilarious !I love the part about only snails or Turtles would know such Freedom hysterical !please keep writing I want to know and read all your adventures that you go on as I plan to also do a travel blog one day happy e vesting I didn’t even know those things existed actually ..lol.. I was teasing my husband for all the pens he carries in his pockets so he will definitely be wanting one of these vests, thanks? sorry for the lack of grammar and punctuation but I’m using voice to text from my cell phone as I am incredibly lazy… but kind-hearted and humorous if I do say so myself, which I do.
    Angie age 43 wife and mother from Bay Area California

    • reid champagne says:

      Thanks so much for the kind words! I am glad to share my adventures with you. For me, the humor is natural – if you can’t laugh at yourself, what the heck is the point?!
      When you’ve got that travel blog up and running, be sure to let me know – I’d love to read it!

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