A Dozen Pairs of Shoes?
Day -4, Grand Asia 2018
Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018 – Chicago:
Packing for a long cruise should be easier the second time, especially because I have my experience and detailed packing list from last year. As usual, I am torn between being reasonable about what I will need and taking things I might need – just in case.
I am trying hard to justify taking 12 pairs of shoes. That sounds like a lot. But here is my rationalization:
- Three pairs are specialty shoes: swim shoes for the beaches, flip-flops for wearing around the room as slippers and exercise sneakers for walking the deck or in the gym.
- Three are exclusively for dinner: two suitable for dressier nights and one for any evening. Frankly they are not comfortable enough for wearing all day.
- Two pairs are comfortable enclosed walking shoes that require socks. I will wear these during the cooler days in Japan and China. One of them is water-resistant for rainy days.
- Four pairs are sandals for the warmer two-thirds of the trip. One pair is new; I’ve broken in the others and know they will be comfortable on full days of exploring ports. In fact, two are so worn that they may not last the entire trip — hence I am taking both.
See, that doesn’t sound so crazy, does it?
I’m also taking:
- 20 tops, some dressy, some long-sleeved and mostly summery
- 11 pairs of pants and shorts, again some dressy and the rest split between seasons
- 6 dresses, two for gala evenings and the rest sundresses.
- 2 sweaters, a hoodie, an all-weather jacket and a windbreaker
This may be too many. Since I downsized a few years ago from a large master walk-in closet to a few square feet, I have adopted a minimalistic attitude toward clothes. My ship cabin’s closet space will be larger than mine at home. So I’m taking most of the clothes I own.
Still, my current packing list is not that much different than last year’s list.
Last year on Day 25 (October 26) I blogged the following: “On Monday I declared I was tired of my cool weather clothes. Today it became official, and I broke out the white pants I was saving for warmer climes. I need to remind myself that I also get tired of the same old clothes at home in Texas.”
And on Day 32 (Nov. 2): “Today we returned to the warmth. The morning temperature was in the 70s, with a noticeable touch of humidity. At breakfast, I overheard a woman at the next table excusing herself to change clothes, because ‘I am wearing winter,’ she said. I had been wearing fall. Out will come the shorts, summer tops, cotton skirts and flip-flops.”
And so as I pack this week, I remind myself that I will grow tired of my clothes and shoes, no matter how many I pack.
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And yes, there is a short story titled A Dozen Pairs of Shoes, by Dr. Luis Gatmaitan, a Filipino. It’s worth a read.
We can’t wait to meet you. You make us laugh. Keep it up. David and Linda, Beijing duck
Good to meet you both this morning!
Eek … good luck deciding on what to pack for your journey. I honestly would have SOOO much stuff I would be overwhelmed. I pack like 5 bags when going away for a weekend. I couldn’t imagine how many bags I’d need for the Grand Asia cruise!
Ha! Clearly you have not traveled by bicycle carrying all your needs for two or more weeks in two panniers!
I’ve done the “everything in my backpack” thing. And the “everything in my carry-on” thing. Now I’m enjoying the “I’ve got it down to 2 checked bags, one overhead & one under-seat bag” ?
I’ve found that if I “finish” packing 2 weeks ahead, everything “settles” in my bags & I can keep tucking in more every day!
Love your rationalizing what to pack. On a cruise a couple of years ago, unexpected cold and snow found me in my all weather coat and snow boots 10 days of the 14. So much for packing all those outfits.