I just arrived in Mexico today. I’ll be here for a month. Yes, a whole month. Before leaving I made it clear that no one should do anything fun while I’m away. There’s a monthly brunch I attended last weekend and I told the organizer not to go anywhere super great in February. Thankfully, I’m sure everyone will take that request to heart (right, guys?).
So, I’m in Mexico. For the month. Again, yes, a whole month. That’s really fabulous minus the cold I developed the night before leaving home. My father assures me that a couple of margaritas will cure it. I’ll be working remotely for a couple weeks and then playing and volunteering and eating churros y chocolate. I will be having Mexican adventures instead of Twin Cities adventures so my columns may all be frijole-based instead of MNcestual!
Somehow I made it here even though I had to get through the one thing I hate most in the world: packing. Packing turns me into an anxious pile of mess. I just went on a work trip for only two nights to Buffalo, New York, but still I left packing until the last minute, finished it late at night after going out for a drink, stayed up too late, didn’t get enough sleep, and managed to get into some kind of textual message fight because I was freaking out. Packing is the bane of my existence.
A month in Mexico is exciting but up until I set foot on the ground in my destination, it’s all worrying what to pack and how to remember everything, and who will drive me to the airport at 5:30 in the morning?? For some reason packing is always the hardest thing in the entire world. It could be because I have too much clothing and can never pick the right thing, but I always have to get someone to provide moral support while I sort through pairs of socks wondering which ones will serve me best where I’m going.
Why does it matter? Well, I am always mad at myself when I over-pack and inevitably end up shopping and not having room in my suitcase. I’m also not happy when I under-pack and feel like I’m wearing the same outfit everyday. Then there’s the fact that I usually forget deodorant. For some reason even though people always reassure me that I can buy almost anything where I’m going, I can’t help but procrastinate and then pack in a frenzy. Somehow I manage and I think it’s just because I’ve done it enough that I must do it partially on autopilot.
Here are some tips I have for you leaving the Twin Cities this winter, for however long:
- You don’t need that huge warm coat; it will be warmer wherever you’re going. (Well, most likely—who goes to Canada in wintertime?)
- Bring clothes you don’t mind washing in sinks if it comes to that. Or clothes that you won’t cry over if you have them washed by a laundry service and they get shredded.
- Pack light. You can always buy clothes where you’re going and if you like to shop, packing light just gives you an excuse to do this.
- Bring deodorant so you don’t end up having to use your dad’s.
- If you’re sharing a room, don’t forget PJs. You may sleep naked usually, but not everyone wants to see your birthday suit.
- Pack your little bottles of liquids in your carry-on in a ziplock; they’ve actually gotten very picky about that in TSA.
- Don’t pack curry as your airplane snack, or you arrive at your destination with yellow clothes.
Fly safe if you’re headed out for a break from Minnesota February. And if you’re not headed out for a break and you’re getting all jealous and sassy, chill out, because this winter ain’t that bad! Tune in next week to hear more about Mexico!
Photo by Salihan Laugesen (Creative Commons)
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