Anyone else have an article of clothing or an item they refuse to leave home when they travel?
For as long as I can remember, my mom has been wearing the same pair of pants -- every time we fly. They are black with little flowers, forgiving, and probably the most comfortable pants she owns. My sister and I have named them her “traveling pants.”
My little sister always packs two colors of nail polish and a topcoat. She packs them because she has a hard time going more than three
days without changing the color of her nails. She also repaints them every time
there is a chip or small imperfection in her nail art.
My best friend always packs her shoes in a separate suitcase
so she can bring as many clothes as she wants without worrying about fitting
shoes in the same bag. She also packs enough clothes to change her outfit
multiple times a day, in case of changes in plans or if she just gets sick of
her outfit.
My best friend’s mom always brings along a small empty
suitcase. She never wants to struggle with fitting her new purchases in her
already full suitcase as there are always both planned and unplanned shopping
sprees while away.
My grandma always brings along an unopened skein of yarn and
a pair of knitting needles to keep her hands busy while sitting on airplanes or
during car rides. She is always knitting. She could be a passenger on a ride to
the grocery store and knit the whole 10 minute drive -- the most impressive part,
she doesn’t have to look at what she is doing.
I have two items I never leave home without. I never go on vacation without a pair of
soccer socks and a bathing suit. I don’t know why I always bring soccer socks, since I rarely bring my soccer cleats, but I always
have at least one pair of soccer socks in my suitcase. As for my bathing suit,
I never leave for a trip without one. I could be traveling to the arctic and
still pack my bikini.
These items don’t classify as comfort items, in the sense
of a child’s teddy bear or blankie but, somehow, our packed suitcase is missing
something without them.
Most people have at least one item they can’t leave
for a trip without, and it usually says something about the person. As for my
best friend and her extra suitcase of shoes, it says she is prepared for
whatever may come her way while she is traveling. As for my sister and her nail
polish, it says she is a bit of a perfectionist and likes to always look her
best. My mom likes comfort and to look good, which her traveling pants never fail to deliver.
What do you never travel without, and what does it say
about you?
