I was going to do it this time, I really was.

I always wanted to pack light, never seemed to manage, but this time I was going to do it. After all, I was flying from Israel to Florida -- who needs a lot of clothes in these warm places?

Of course, I have that 3 hour connection at JFK and I am going to want to go outside for a smoke. But that is only a few minutes, so I figured I should should be able to get by with a light coat and a hat.

But when I spoke to my travel agent, I found out that I can have a two week layover in Milan for only $50 more. That means two weeks with my UIG (Used Italian Girlfriend). How can I pass on that?

Besides, Milan is in sunny Italy. True, I might need some long sleeve shirts, but so what?

"Sunny Italy"? According to Yahoo, it is ranging from 30 Fahrenheit at night to 52 during the day in Milan right now.

That means at least a heavier coat and a sweater.

I told my UIG that I would be coming and she immediately started making plans for us to spend time at her vacation house -- in Switzerland. I added warmer pants, gloves, heavy flannel shirts, and woolen socks.

Today she called and told me she has additional plans. We will be going to hear her son in concert -- in Budapest. Now I threw in dress pants, a sports jacket, and and dress shirts.

I think I am also going to have to get a truss somewhere -- when I pick up my luggage I am almost certain to get a hernia!

Maybe you could add Calif. to your itinerary and join Cholula for the hernia surgery @:-)

Dorlee, I might just have to.

In addition to everything else I mentioned, the UIG forgot a pair of heavy shoes and some other things here when she visited earlier this month. They are packed in my bag, too.

In my roller bag, I have my laptop -- which is one of the heavy old IBM Thinkpads.

The big problem, however, is the time of my flight out. I leave at 1 am, meaning I have to be at the airport at 10 pm (Israeli security takes a while).
I can't stroll around Tel Aviv all day with these two suitcases and have no place to leave them -- that means I can't fly down there earlier in the day.

I also don't feel like asking anybody to drive 2 1/2 hours each way to take me to the airport. I could take a taxi but that comes to about $150 from my house.

That means I have to take a train there. Loads of fun as the train station requires you to walk down one set of stairs, go across the tracks, and then walk up a second set -- carrying these suitcases with me.

I then have to switch trains in Tel Aviv, lugging these bags. Hopefully, when I get to the airport I will be able to put them on a cart and not carry them up still another flight of stairs.

Dovster,

Why don't you ship ahead the coats and stuff to the UIG (too funny) via UPS or FedEx Ground. It's not that expensive, and it will be ready for you when you get there. Maybe she will clean and press it for you too?

I wasn't aware that FedEx Ground delivered from Israel to Italy...

Well, FedEx Ground is a bit dangerous. They might get shot up (by either side) as they try crossing the Israeli-Lebanese border.

Actually, I only realized as I was packing yesterday just how much stuff I am winding up taking. At least it won't cost me anything on my TLV-PBI-MXP segments as it is well within the weight limits for cross-Atlantic flights (I am allowed two bags, each weighing 32 kilos plus my hand luggage).

MXP-TLV is a different story. I have a total limit of 23 kilos. If I buy anything during this trip I will be in trouble so I will probably FedEx home all the Florida stuff my last day there.

The UIG, incidentally, only handles cleaning and pressing on Wednesday -- when she gives it to her maid.

"The UIG, incidentally, only handles cleaning and pressing on Wednesday -- when she gives it to her maid."

My kind of girl!!!! I just LOVE Bianca.

Enough said. Excess baggage.

I know the dilemma. I routinely travel between warm and cold climates. I hate being cold but not as much as I hate lugging an overcoat through ATL in March. I rationalize that I will spend most of my time indoors and bring a coat that is lighter than necessary and augment it with a hat and warm gloves.

Last week, the high in CLE never rose above 30 and it snowed 4 out of 6 days. I froze my ar$e off and got snow down my shoes every morning. I am on my way to the cleaners at lunch to have the salt stains removed from the cuffs of my pants. I caught cold on Monday and still feel like horse dooky.

By the time I pack for the next trip North, I will have forgotten all the discomfort and inconvenience. It will be 75 in BHM and I will be shocked at the snow on the ground as I look out the aircraft window on the approach. I will pull my light sweater close, turn my face downwards to shield it from the icy, stinging wind and conjure up images of palm trees and Art Deco hotels to take my mind off the realization that, once again, I am unprepared for the weather.

I will add that I have a closetful of warm clothing purchased on the road; the lined raincoat from BOS in May, the sweatsuit from SFO in June, the overcoat from DTW in January. Somehow, I manage to pack it home. Why can I not bring myself to take it when next I sally forth?

My advice? Buy what you need in Europe and leave it with the UIG.

My Amex bill just came, and the charge for the clothing that I left in the hotel in VCE at the FT meet was $145 from FedEX. I guess the hotel should have sent it ground instead of air Better yet.....I should have checked the drawers more carefully!

This might just be a "southern thing". I do the same thing.
Every time.
And I am surprised each and every time when I get there and it is cold and I have only my lightweight Texas clothes with me.

Dovster...why not just plan to stay inside and warm and snugly with the UIG? Then you won't need so many warm clothes.

smartass. you know what i meant.