My backpack has seen a lot of turnover in the last nine months. During the course of our travels, I've regularly discarded clothing in hostels and hotel rooms due to overuse, lack of use, and in some cases, gross misuse. I've also lost an item here or there, ruined a select few, and of course, simply had a falling out with certain things. In exchange our packing cubes have paid witness to an international array of skirts, sweaters, bikinis, and of course -- many, many multicultural t-shirts.While I'm happy to be coming home with some new duds purchased in far-flung shops and markets, I'm almost equally pleased with the shortlist of precious items that have survived constant and ruthless pruning. Only a few lucky pieces of clothing made it through from Fiji to England -- and they should be proud. They are:
1. Black dress pants, Express
2. Black fleece sleeping pants, Aspire
3. Hawaiian beach skirt, Aaron Chang
4. Red nylon running shorts, Champion
5. Grey tank top, Gap
6. Brown t-shirt, Moon Girl
7. Black windbreaker, REI
8. White/grey "tissue tee," J. Crew
9. Coral long-sleeve "tissue tee," J. Crew
*Note that this list does not include socks and underwear.
Most of these things I pretty much hate by now but keep around since they're so versatile. And, in most cases, soft.
Here's everything that was in my backpack when we left:
And now.
You can see that my wardrobe is slightly better endowed for 2007. Luckily the weather in New York today is unbelievably (and unseasonably) gorgeous and I'm happily surprised to be sporting my cute Cape Town tank top for one last time this year. Quirky weather and clothes aside, it's weird being back -- when we arrived at Jen's yesterday I couldn't help but feel like it was just a few weeks ago we were saying our goodbyes in this very city with much longer hair.
Happy Halloween! ..........
6 Comments:
Nine clothing items - I salute you! Though I'm not sure what "sleeping pants" are.
And, I am wondering, did your backpack grow? You seem to have come home with way more stuff. Impressive!
Or maybe each piece of clothing left just enough lint in dryers around the world to make room for more!
Welcome home, guys!!!
Welcome Home. Can't wait to see you.
Hi, I've been reading your blog on and off for the past couple of months. I'd been toying with the idea of taking a few months off from corporate life and around that time, I stumbled across both yours and Andy's blog. Thanks for inspiring the rest of us, plus your writing style was a lot of fun to read! Wish you and Bryan all the best.
Sue -- "sleeping pants" are pants you sleep in. Not necessarily sweatpants per se, but pants you wouldn't really wear out and about. Comfy pants. And yes -- I know, there's so much more stuff! Over time I've learned how to pack more efficiently, and in the case of the final pack, we bought a bunch of winter things that I carried separately inside that gray duffel. I wouldn't be able to normally carry all of this stuff around, that's for sure.
Kelly and Robin -- thanks! We are excited about being home and seeing everyone soon.
Anon -- Do it! It's been an amazing experience for the both of us. I'm glad you enjoyed reading our blog and let us know when yours is up. ;)
Hi Allyson and Brian, great to have followed your adventure around the world.. not quite the Amazing race but i'm sure it felt like it at times.. good luck with getting settled on the east coast..
-acoyne
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