Business packing for backpackers (and others who take pride in minimalist packing)

Well, maybe not so minimalist. I've been experimenting with taking only a carry-on lately. Yes, bag fees are the bane of many the traveler's existence but carrying on does one more thing: it makes for a much less stressful packing experience all together. Thanks goes out to sites like onebag.com which makes the initial panic of, "Holy batman, what do I start with?" disappear.

My latest conference had me flying on an airline which ends in -an. Ladies and gents, these tickets are cheap for a reason. At this point, though, all the major US airlines are making their way towards Ryan Air status so it's not even worth complaining about anymore.

Regardless, the one thing this airline will do is allow you to gate check for free if you're the last poor fool boarding. Their carry on dimensions recently shrunk to child's backpack size. Unless you're carrying on a coat and nothing else, your bag will probably not fit at all. Be the last one on the plane, especially if you don't mind waiting for that free checked bag to make it's way to baggage claim. Save you $20 for an extra 15 minutes spent talking to strangers about their grandchildren or something.

Oh, I was making a list? Shall we?

One bag business trip list (for a seven day conference)

• Colors. Coordinate your colors. I chose black because I love irony. Really, though, any shades will do as long as they match. I've done browns, blacks and greys in the past as well and it worked wonderfully.

• 3 pants (business casual or strict business depending on the code at your ultimate destination). Chances are you're not going to cause a massive disaster on your pants via mustard. If they're black the mustard hides after a quick trip to the water fountain.

• 3-5 tops. All of which could be used for those, ahem, after hour meetings.

• Something to sleep in obviously. One set. Heck, want to save room? Sleep in your underthings. Just don't scare your potential roommate with your fantastic looking desk job body. (Note: this has happened to me. It's fun for you but not for the victim.)

• Underthings. Men and Women: Invest in some good travel underwear. Ladies: Pick one amazing bra and one sports bra.

• Shoes. I know, obvious right? You want one good pair you can wear for business and funsies. Make sure the next time you pick up a pair of work shoes that they can do double duty. Remember: If they're replacing two pairs of shoes, you might as well spend twice as much for a good pair which functions in multiple ways.

•  Forget toiletries. If you're going to a conference for work then you're most likely going to a hotel which carries all those "forgotten items" for free. Unless you need a specific product it's a waste of both space and time to carry any shampoo/conditioner/lotion/toothpaste. I've never been to a conference hotel which doesn't offer these replacements. 

If your conference and travel time is shorter than seven days adjust the amount of clothing as needed.

What's your ultimate business travel packing tip?

Delta Charlie, Y'all

I spent the last week in Washington, DC. I'm pretty sure I caught the corruption cooties just being there.

I've been meaning to get back there since I visited in fifth grade as a member of the safety patrols. It was totally worth the return.

Sausage Factory! Too bad it's made of reclaimed pig hooves.

I stayed in the Sheraton Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia. The location couldn't have been more perfect. Staying outside the District was the absolute best choice. I was steps from the metro and a twenty minute ride from the Smithsonian stop.

I didn't test out the nightlife this time around, but I made the political science geek dance for glee. I got my nerd on at all of the monuments I could find and stopped by my congressman's office to grab a Gallery pass for the House of Representatives. I highly recommend getting both a House and Senate gallery pass. It's pretty amazing to see where all the sausage is made.

I checked out every single one of the Smithsonian museums and starred longingly at Dorthy's ruby red slippers at the American History Museum. A few other tourists I ran into told me it would take more days then I had to go through all of them. Definitely not the case. I made it through the Natural History Museum and the American History Museum in about eight hours. If you have young kids, though, I could easily see them spending a whole day just in the Natural History Museum.

Out of all of the traditional tourist places, though, I enjoyed the memorials the most. The somber nature of some them and the absolute size of others was breathtaking.

WWII Memorial, Washington, DC

All of the memorials around DC are breathtaking in size and meaning, but there is one that is ascetically superior. The Korean War memorial. For a "police action", and therefore not internationally defined as a proper war, the memorial is, I believe, the most artistically gifted memorial in all of Washington, DC.

Unlike the Vietnam Wall, or the WWII memorial, this monument is not all clean lines and names. Instead, the focal point of the memorial is the statues marching across the green-space. There are no names on the wall of the memorial, just images of those who served and lost their lives.

Very few people in this country appreciate the significance of Washington, DC. The city may be filled with lobbyists and politicians so skewed that they walk crooked, but the true beauty of The District is in the eternal and unmoving monuments to the sacrifices and triumphs of this country.

What is the most personally significant monument in your country?

Change of plans. Don't worry, I won't end up in Thailand.

So the whole Haiti thing with All Hands is officially a no go. While I'm disappointed I can't regret the outcome. It was something that, while I truly desire to help, I was having second thoughts from the moment I sent off my application.

In consolation, I'm headed to Iceland (and other places in Europe)! I'm going over via Volunteers for Peace. So far, the plan is Iceland from the 12 June until 28 or 29 June. Then, provided I don't find someone to explore Iceland with, I'll head over the the mainland. I will officially be leaving via Berlin on 12 July.


I'm going to update my packing list as well as and some pictures when I finally get all of my newly ordered goodies from Amazon.com.

Russia and other funny places

Red Square. The week leading up to VE, Victory Day.

Unknown to me, the summer of 2007 set up one of my long term recurring goals. After spending eight weeks in the Mother Russia, I made a deal with myself that I would try and take an international trip at least once a year. So far, the only year I haven't breached the borders of the US was 2009.

My first "real" international excursion, Russia, opened my eyes to how very little I knew about myself. I learned that, yes, I do love pepper and I will spend any amount of money to use something other than salt to season my food.

I can't believe we didn't break anything!

We spent most of our time in good old Moscow (hitching rides and bargaining cabbies down til they cried) with random side trips to places like Vladamir and Suzdal. We spent a ridiculous amount of time looking at the crystal collection in Vladamir which was actually not a complete waste of time.

My favorite part of the whole trip, though, has to be the week we spend in Siberia! We stayed in a touristy yurt camp on Olhon Island in the middle of Lake Baikal. I not only learned that it's flipping cold in Southern Siberia in July, but that a fox head bracelet makes for a very stylistic conversation piece. (Disclaimer: It was on the other guy's wrist. I'm pretty sure it was stuffed a bit before I got there). On the bright side, I officially learned how to build a fire from scratch because I didn't feel like crawling across camp at 0300 to wake our lovely hosts in 20 degree weather.

Mother Russia, thank you for creating this monster of a traveler. My bank account might not appreciate it, but I sure do.

This is not a travel blog

So, I've been tinkering around with the idea of completely forgetting that I set this thing up to record my rather mundane travels. I never expect this thing to actually see the light of day outside of keeping myself connected with family and friends.

I'm planning on throwing some old travel photos and logs on here just for my own little self.

Also see: procrastination.