So it’s Wednesday evening and I’m sitting in my parents’ bedroom, surrounded by every single article of clothing that I own, pondering how the fuck one packs for a trip that has no foreseeable end-date and no specific list of destinations.
Combine this with the fact that my new nomadic lifestyle only allows for carry-on luggage and you’ll see why it took me less than 6 minutes to be in full-frontal anxiety attack mode, curled in the fetal position on top of all my bras, yelling anxiously that “I DON’T KNOW WHICH ONES TO BRING!” I’m all, “Should I take the pretty lace ones that make me all sexy-like? Or the ones that look best under a t-shirt? Did I even pack any t-shirts? WHERE THE FUCK ARE ALL MY T-SHIRTS? And what if there’s a tsunami! And how many pairs of socks is too many? And will these suede boots fit in here? WHO NEEDS BOOTS IN A TSUNAMI?! What if I’m not bringing enough layers? What about winter? And clothes for going out to nice places? Oh for fucks sake I can’t afford nice places on a nomadic budget, so maybe I shouldn’t bring any dresses? BUT WHAT IF I’M IN A LIFE OR DEATH SITUATION IN WHICH SOMEONE’S GOING TO COVER ME IN BUBBLE WRAP AND THROW ME OFF A BRIDGE IF I’M NOT WEARING A DRESS? What THEN?”
And so on and so on with the crazy.
Which is about when I started feverishly chugging wine. Because really? how can you go wrong with drunk packing?
(Says the girl who’s about to wind up stuck in a snow storm wearing tap shoes and a bumble bee costume.)
The moral of this story (weren’t you totally waiting for it?) is that I’m PACKED. Packed and on the move. And after 12 hours of travel yesterday that took me through four states, I’m happier than hell to finally have this epic adventure in motion.
“Plans?” people have been asking.
“Yeah, I don’t have any,” I say. “I’ll be in Chicago for a week and then I’m headed to NYC. Everything else is up for discussion. So suggest something awesome, because I’m more than likely down to go balls-to-the-wall with it.”
Posted in: day to day shenanigans
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Ohh drunk packing has gotten me into trouble more than once! Nothing better than getting to the beach to discover you've brought three swimsuit tops but no bottoms…
Good luck!
Drinking + Packing = The only way to do it, and do it properly.
I suggest revisiting your 100 things to do list. That and come to Texas!
Yep, I was 17, in London with my high school group when I 'drunk-packed' and 'lost' $300 worth of travelers checks. A few days later, I found 'em, somewhere totally retarded!
Have a blast on your travel marathon and if you decide to come to Northern Germany, let me know. I love reading your blog, it makes me feel young again!
Oh dear. Packing is a major hassle at the best of times when you actually know where you're going to be and can plan accordingly. But at least you have done it now!
I did this over the summer this year. So much fun. Good luck with your travels.
Seattle. DUH. We have a huge Oktoberfest coming up – there's a place two hours north of Seattle called Leavenworth. It is literally built to look like a little German town in the mountains. Even the McDonalds looks like a German house in the hills. Anyway – huge beer fest, lots of friends of mine and 20-somethings going, big drunken party, one of the top 10 Oktoberfest celebrations in the nation, lots of lederhosen, authentic German bands and dancing, big carby pretzels with CHEESE. Do it.
Weekend of Oct 3.
Wine is the only way to get through difficult decisions such as which bra to take, I agree!
come back to LA
and let's go SKYDIVING. and i'm moving to the beach november 1st so you could wait until then. or come now. I MISS YOU!!!!
Oh God what I wouldn't give for a glass or 4 of wine right now.
I think your trip is awesome and I am envious. If I think of any great places to go, I'll let you know!
I am so excited to see where your adventures take you…. If you want to visit Canada, Ottawa to be precise (thats the Capital of Canada so you don't have to look it up..lol) I can contact my family and let them know your coming.. and I can get you a job as a waitress for a week or so? Or bartender? Let me know.. I can not wait to see where this is all going!
Come to Frankfurt! I have I comfortable couch where you could crash…
Good luck! I really hope you have a fun time!!!
So freaking awesome! I know this is going to be an incredible adventure for you, and you should definitely head South when it gets cold up north. Trust me. It's downright balmy down here during the winter. And there's totally enough room in my apartment for you, me and Lucy for a little while. (:
Yeah so you're crazy, but I love you anyway. Also, from personal experience let me state that the "WHATEVER, I'ma just bring sports bras! They're comfortable!" technique gets old very quickly. I had 3 months this summer in only sports bras (while in Kenya). I wore the impractical lacy ones for a week straight when I got back.
I adore you.
That's all.
It looks like you are headed away from my neck of the woods, but there is a couch for ya if you ever swing through. btw, I am uber jealous, as I wish I could just take off. Take pictures!
You, my dear, are a riot. I hope your nomad adventures are full of fun and stories.. and you better blog about them ALL!
You're living out my dream.
Thank you for that.
I hope you don't mind that I'm about to live vicariously through you.
I foreseen this scenario in my future very soon. Backpacking from Feb til ????
Hyperventilation has already occurred.
Can I be you for just a while? I really want to do something adventurous and random and exciting. PUH-LEASE. Save me from this desk-job that is making me want to eat my own arm.
Aaaaanyway, you are wonderful – and you should totally enjoy NOT having a plan. That's the best part of this whole thing, I think. I love it.
And I vote for weekly video blogs. The end.
It was epic seeing you again this weekend. XOXOXOXOXO
Go to a Cubs game while you're in Chi-town. Then, the moment you're in NYC, go to MoMA and get your berings, or, if you prefer, lose them completely.
I just had a mental image of a lace bra with a bumble bee costume.
I am so jealous of you. I wish I was brave enough to go nomading (is that a word? It is now..) Have fun! Enjoy! And honestly, in the grand scheme of things, when you have no plans on where you're going, what you're wearing is one of the lesser decisions you need to make.
If heading outside of the US… I spent a few months in South America last year and can highly recommend Argentina, Bolivia and Peru as cheap and amazing places to visit. I even did an 'alternative' Inca Trail for 4 days (as opposed to the traditional trail but essentially the same from Cusco to Machu Piccu) for about $150 US (incl food and acom) which was fantastic.
From my experience as an Aussie I'd also highly recommend heading to Oz via SE Asia and from my experience as a current resident in London I'd also recommend most of Europe – Spain and Eastern Europe are a bit cheaper to see than the rest though!
Also try couchsurfer dot org.
Anyway – I'm a new reader and lurker so not quite across what your travel plans are meant to involve but I've done my fair share of budget travel so if you want any advice then happy to oblige!
come to BOSTON, that's my suggestion.
and we'll drink wine together in cute dresses here.
and u come travel with me when?
I'm sooo jealous, you're trip sounds fantastic! If you make it to DC let me know!
Can't wait to hear about all the nomadic stops you're making =) But seriously, only one carry-on? Girl, you're my hero.
Hey Nicole,
Since I totally flaked during your last weekend in Chicago (I'm so sorry!), let me know how long you're going to be around. I would love to get a beer and talk insomnia and writing:)
Living in the moment–good for you! Plans are overrated…..
I just found you through 20SB. I have a friend who lives a nomadic life. If you go to my Blogroll there is a link to his blog. It's called iWoodrow. He's in NY right now I think. I could never do it but I think it's fascinating!
you are so awesome and i cannot wait to hear more about your adventures. woo.
Ah, so exciting! I think we’re all pretty much in agreement that we want to be doing the same thing you are doing. Except I couldn’t do just a carry-on. That would put a wrench in my travels. I would probably top your level of crazy trying to fit everything in a carry-on.
That being said since you are a bus ride away being in NYC, you should come DC where there are a crapload of free museums and monuments. And a couch to crash on (unless you come in the middle of October).
Have fun in the Big Apple!
See ya in the Big Apple!
You are so badass. Just so you know.
I love, love, love your spontaneous (don't feel like finding out if thats spelled right, sorry) moves.
I live just outside Charlotte. Feel free to stop buy. You are more than welcome to borrow shoes, pants and tee-shirts. Just not bras. That's creepy. Or panties. Same reason. Ha.
Boston is just a 15 ish dollar Fung Wa bus from NY
Congrats on being packed, can't wait to watch your adventure unfold!
Balls to the wall is the only way to do ANYTHING.
Huzzah.
Just followed a link from Lilu over here and, well…I'm in love! If you make it down to Texas I'll take you to a honky tonk and you can learn to two-step! Or we could do normal people things, which is what I usually do.
God, you're hilarious.
Cleveland is always open to an awesomely adventurous girl like yourself.
I love that you're doing this. LOVE.
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