Pack It In

Tomorrow my brother, my mother and I are leaving for a Grand European Adventure across three weeks and three Countries. I love travelling and it is going to be a great trip, but the funny part right now is the Packing Process.

I'm not a great packer. I'll admit this up front. I'll usually throw a few things in a backpack, knowing that my travelling Companions will lend me their shampoo, soap, and toothpaste in my times of need. My mother, however, will pack enough to support a small Czechoslovakian village for six months. It's as if we won't be near any sort of civilization that might have things like Pregnancy Tests or Sunglasses or other things necessary to Human Existence. She reasons with herself as she packs: What if we need to dress up for something? (four extra outfits, complete with shoes) What if you get a blister? (three cartons of Band-Aids and a seven-pack of Neosporin). What if your Aunt ends up staying in my room? (a bottle of brandy, earplugs, and six novels with Fabio on the front). What if we get kidnapped by terrorists? (an emergency life raft, three cans of mace, and seven Rice Krispie Treats--you know, for sustenance).

As you can imagine, this results in a HUGE suitcase. One in which, if we were looking for some extra cash, we could quite easily smuggle a struggling migrant family into Germany. But I admit that I am glad she packs so much, because I will inevitably forget something essential, like Underwear, and whe will have forseen my lapse in preparedness and have packed six extra pair. God bless the woman.