Tag: monthtravel

Managing time apart from my husband, partner, best-friend is work. Emotional work. Slogging through the day, remembering to build in those activities and behaviors that feed into a positive aloneness takes effort. I have to think about how I am taking care of myself. Hence the hashtag #hyggetaughtme, see Instagram for my attempts at self-hygge.

However, once the airline ticket is purchased, the emotional work seems to lighten! It’s easier, knowing that travel adventures are just around the corner! My best friend and hubby-boy is absolutely the best travel companion–he was a History major–and loves to do research. As we visit each place, he talks about historical events and figures, as well as cultural interests while I scout out local food, art, and museums. So, now to the style factor and…Let the packing anxiety/excitement begin! (Breathe in, breathe out!)

Let’s start with a list of activities in Frankfurt, Germany:

• Walking on cobblestones
• Having kaffee und kuchen with friends (everyday)
• Shopping
• Walking through the park, riding the U-bahn
• Eating out in the evening
• Palmengarten
• Museum (Natural History, Modern Art)
• Walking by the river

List activities in Johannesburg, South Africa:

• Visit wild animal parks
• Pet animals
• Go to markets
• Photograph everything
• Find reasonably safe food to eat and still feel like we belong on the Food Network

Next list the weather:

Frankfurt in June = Seattle in June

• Mild 74/54

Johannesburg in June/July

• 63/37

Now how to pack one suitcase for two cities for over one month…Hmmmm….first attempt. Here’s the bullet list:

• African wax print skirt (authentic African Wax Print produced in Holland)
• Yellow vintage polo
• Yellow cardigan
• Yellow/Gray/White/Black print knit skirt
• Camouflage pants (doesn’t really camouflage hips like I hoped)
• Cargo pocket pants (for animals to destroy)
• Jeans
• White cotton men’s s/s shirt
• White rain shell
• Charcoal wool sweater
• Heather gray cotton v-neck sweater
• Aviator jacket
• Green felt hat
• Rain coat, leopard print
• Fishing vest
• 3 T-shirts
• Chambray tunic/dress
• Linen Blazer, cream, black trim
• Cotton shawl
• Lace scarf
• Purple/Mauve/Pink Ikat Print (not authentic, I can assure you)
• Animal print scarf
• Olive drab work shirt
• Hiking boots
• Birkenstocks
• Canvas Coach tennis shoes
• Missing: leggings, socks, nightshirt, beauty, Rx, technology