The little things
Things that bring you comfort if you're on the road for work. As a traveling artist, I think the things you pack are more deliberate because you don't go to typical meetings. You are performing, running a show, and still have other work to do.
This is my working packing list and things to bring on the road:
Pillow cases - this happened by accident. I was bringing pillowcases in my carryon to stuff my big winter coats in while on the airplane (to use as a pillow), but at the last minute I had extra room in my luggage and stuffed it in there instead of carrying it. But once at my new home, I couldn't find the pillowcases. My dollar store cases made it feel a bit more homey. I would say sheets as well, but you don't know what kind of bed you'll end up with. I have a fabulous pillowcases that I bought at The Dollar Store and now they will be part of my travel list.
Towel - When your stay isn't going to be at a hotel, or like me you don't know what your accomodations are, bring a towel. I try my best to be easy going and roll with it, but sometimes things just feel...gross. Ok, ok, gross is a bit of an overexaggeration, but as I've gotten older I've realized, unfortunately, that you think about where stuff comes from and who else has touched it or could have touched it. Luckily my recent trip was around the holidays and things were on sale.
Laundry bag - I have travelled without one and used just a plastic shopping, but this recent trip when I've had to move my stuff in a short amount of time, with my dirty clothes in a pile on the floor, made me feel more unorganized than I already was. Throwing clothes in a bag to pick up and go on a moments notice stressed me out. Did I bring socks? Yes. Clean underwear? No.
*UPDATE - This goes along with the gross feeling above. Yes, the clothes are dirty already, so who cares if they're on the dirty floor, but somehow it still feels gross. So I will be looking for some kind of mesh bag that's easy to pack, or just use one of the super-big ziplock bags I put my clothes in.
Room Freshener - Febreze-like something. Not just to freshen up your clothes in a pinch, but to freshen up your room. I've thought about on previous occasions and never brought it, but while grocery shopping, I found the small bottle of travel Febreze (Gain Scent) for $2.49. But then when I was walking through the cleaning aisle, I found a full size spray bottle for $2.99 and chose that one. I figured I'm here for 8 weeks, let's see how long it lasts. Again, still testing things out.
*UPDATE - I used up most of the bottle. Leaving behind what's left for the next visitor to the house.
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| Blue-Q handy tote |
Lunch bag - When I travel, I like to bring snacks. Some times I bring a small paper giftbag, stuffed with some napkins, sugar, hot sauce, single-serve drink mix and snack for the road in a sealable food container (good for while on the road). The paperbag is great because you can recycle it at your destination, but to be more ecologically conscious I got a giftbag size resuseble bag. A friend gifted it to me and it worked perfectly.
When I first got to Juneau, I had to get used to being cold again. Since it was after Christmas and everything was on sale, I bought myself a blanket/cover-up to keep me warm. With all the moving around I did, exploring different housing situations in Juneau, it was a well used purchase and coincidentially it matched my pillow cases and kept my hands warm
