Roughin' it

I forgot to mention in my 'Stockholm' post about my packing strategy for this week-long Fall Break Trip:

When I went to Helsinki, Tallinn, and Riga, I brought a blue duffel bag (my dad's AT&T gym bag). It's a good size bag that can be used as carry-on, but it can be a little bothersome to lug around (especially if you overpack, I fell victim to the overpacking monster).

I decided that I wanted to pack a little lighter this trip...well, actually MUCH lighter. So instead of bringing the blue duffel with a purse, all I brought was my backpack. I'm not talking about a backpack you take on a hiking trip that can fit a bunch of clothes and a sleeping bag. No, I'm actually referring to a backpack that you would use for your schoolbooks.

You're probably thinking one if not both of these things:
1) How did you fit a weeks worth of clothes and toiletries in a single backpack?
2) Eww, that's kinda gross, Nat.

I will admit that never in a million years did I think I would ever pack this light. I knew from the get-go (a week before leaving) that I was going to only bring my backpack. All I needed to decide was what clothes I would bring and how to systematically organize it into my North Face.

Luckily, I learned from both of my parents in this case. My mom taught me how to roll my clothes and pack things in order to maximize a small space. Therefore, I brought five long sleeve shirts, three pairs of leggings, two pairs of jeans, a cardigan, a jacket, one pair of shoes and other necessary clothing. I brought toiletries too. Not surprisingly, everything fit in with extra room to spare. Score!

And let's just say, I am my father's daughter. I always used to (even just a few months ago) tease my papa for packing light when we went on trips, but now after experiencing the ease of not having to worry about bringing so much stuff and ultimately not having to carry tons of baggage, I may not turn back to my old ways ('may' is the key word here).

I like to say that while I was in Stockholm and Berlin, I was "roughin' it". I think that lack of variety in my clothing and the pictures of me wearing nearly the same outfit (jeans with a different long-sleeved shirt and a beanie) contest to this fact. Don't worry, I showered every day.

P.S. I hope this isn't TMI, I feel like you should know the interesting/obscure details of my life in Europe. Anyways, please try not to don't judge me ;)

My luggage for the week

The ultimate tourist with backpack and map in hand...at the U-Bahn station