Occasionally life throws us an unexpected insight that revolutionizes our thinking. Just as we are about to pat ourselves on the back for being clever we discover that an unlikely source is one up on us. It's a disconcerting moment.

I recently took a week off to attend a conference with two women, both seniors, from my church. I hardly considered them seasoned travelers; therefore I pictured myself waiting for one, or possibly both of them at every turn.

The appointed day came and while waiting in the driveway, I must admit, I was feeling pretty smug about my packing skills, having gotten all my needs for a week into one small suitcase, one carry on tote for the plane, and my day-pack, which doubled as a purse.

We drove to the airport parking lot, where our vehicle would live for the week, and got out to remove our luggage from the trunk. Each of my travel companions extracted one small bag, while I was busily strapping my backpack on. Then I pulled my two bags out of the trunk.

"Is that it?" I asked incredulously.

"Yup"

The Airport Shuttle appeared, they climbed on and one of them turned and asked if I needed any help? This wasn't how I pictured things. In all likelihood I was going to have to check my small suitcase as luggage when we got to the terminal, which meant I would be the longest to check in, and they would have to wait for me. I was going to be the hold up at the other end too, while we waited for my bag to turn up on the carousel. I was no longer feeling smug.

As anticipated they sat patiently waiting for me, while I waited for my bag. I wondered how two old ladies could possibly get along with so little. I had struggled to minimize my needs for the week and still could not think of what more I could have left home. There was a lesson just ahead for me and I knew it.

The real truth would not unfold itself to me for the next three days. The ladies were staying together at a hotel, but I was staying with a friend who lived in the area so would not be with them until the fourth evening. Pride forbid me to just ask them how they managed to have enough of life's necessities for a week, packed so compactly. How do you ask someone if they plan to change their underwear this week?

Thursday night I arrived at the Hotel. By now I not only had my original three pieces of baggage: I also had two plastic bags full of miscellany that I had indiscriminately accumulated from the Conference presentations, a few books,

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

---

Add your voice

Know something about Tips for easier travel?
We want to hear your view. Write now!