This makes me sound a lot more minimaliste than I really am. Im at the same time embarssed and proud to say that we had 150 pounds worth of luggage, not counting my cat, and yes, mostly mine. Embarassed because we took up the whole back of a Ford Escape (with the seats down). I always wanted to be (want to be) one of those people who can travel for months with only a backpack, someone who can fit everything they own into a duffelbag and be satifisfied. No clutter, no over indulgence, and simply satisfied.
BUT I also want to live pretty damn comfortably. I get cold easily so I need to bring sweaters. One or two sweaters wont do, you see i have various varitations of cold. A hoodie for the underlining of a much nicer coat when its just a bit nipply, a light cardigan for those summer time breezes, a wool sweater for those fresh, early fall mornings, a large, ugly pull over for roaming around the apartment, a well fitted button up sweater for when I would like to stay warm and still maintain some sort of a figure....and sadly, I can go one. Same goes for pants. I want baggy ones, but I need tight ones, and one in between. I need leggings, and slacks and courdoroys because they are not as cold to slip into as jeans on January mornings. Duh! I dont even want to get started on shirts and dresses! One thing I am not really crazy about is shoes, I only own 7 pairs of shoes. Two in which I adore but never wear since they are heeled and I look strange because Im taller than everyone on the metro and I walk funny. Ive hauled these two pairs of shoes between Los Angeles, Montreal, Back to LA and and Montreal and now to France, and I have NEVER WORN THEM more than 3 hours twice. Why do I keep them? Cause I have this weird child like thinking that once I turn 30 I will be able to wear them. Once I hit the big 3-0 I wont walk awkwardly in them, I wont stumble or look way too tall, I will be graceful and natural in these beautiful shoes.
Anyway, the sorting process of what clothes, books, hair accessories, kitchen supply, gagets etc. that you will take with you for the rest of your life is pretty exhausting. I wish I had the will power to throw/give/sell even more than i did but I have to admit I am pretty happy with the downsizing I made. " Youre like a snail, you have your whole home on your back" William would affectiontly tell me while I was packing. And its true, for not having anything back home in Los Angeles (aside from a blanket, doll, and journals with great sentimental value) Im doing pretty damn well. All I own can fit into two (very large) suitcases, and although its not the small duffle bag I wish I could obtain its still a damn good start.
So here I am 2 weeks in France and I have already bought a bunch of crap! You couldnt help it either if you loved thrift store shopping as much as me, Europe is a gold mine. I think mostly because aside from a rather small percentage of 20 something year olds nobody really is into vinatge. A lot of people only want antiques or modern. In Los Angeles and Montreal finding a lime green and brown roatry phone in great conditon for 5 bucks was a find, a steal, something to write home about! An electriv blue, leather makeup box for 2 dollars!? You kidding? Here there is a very fine line between vintage and tacky. Lets just say I will have one of the tackiest Apartments in Paris.
No comments:
Post a Comment