Friday, February 10, 2012

fifty pounds and five thousand six hundred ninety nine miles

Actually, it's 100 pounds (plus whatever the carryon weighed).  Plus however many miles it is from Frankfurt to Toulouse.

I have now successfully arrived in France.  Since, according to the United Airlines website, there would be a $200 fine for having a piece of checked luggage that weighed more than 50 pounds, I spent most of the day and night prior to my flight trying to get my two pieces of checked luggage to be under fifty pounds.  It turns out that both my parents' old green hard-shell Samsonite suitcase and G-'s suitcase-sized rolling duffel bag thing that he left last time he was in the States close easily when their contents are less than 50 pounds, but they do not close easily when 54 pounds.  Interesting, especially as the Samsonite was probably made prior to all these super-strict luggage rules.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

packing

The last bit of packing prior to a move is always the most hectic.

The last bit of packing prior to a trip is always the most hectic.

I'm sort of doing both - going to France for a semi-indefinite period of time.  I am starting with packing the *things* - the books (in English) that I'll miss, my knitting supplies, my favorite teapot and mug, my US measuring cups and spoons, my favorite spatula for cooking with, various nick-knacks.  I will follow this with what clothes fit.  Unfortunately, there are strict weight limits and suitcase number limits on planes nowadays.  I will fit as much as possible into my viola case - it will be carryon.  My new nifty laptop messenger bag (thanks sister!) doesn't seem to fit quite as much into it as I'd hoped, but it ought to fit my computer, important papers, and things to do on the plane.

I also have to do some last-minute chores - go to the bank, pick up my new glasses, mail things to people that I've been uncovering over the last few days that don't belong to me, stuff like that.  Ideally I'd do my taxes before I go, but I kind of think that's not going to happen... however, I do believe that I can file my taxes online, so that should work.  I hope.  In addition, I've got some furniture and random other stuff that I've brought back to my parents house for storage and/or getting rid of (sorry, sister, who is living in this house right now, and gets to deal with the aftermath).

I foresee a rather sleepless night.  I'll just have to sleep on the plane.