Friday, May 9th 2014

   

     The much anticipated journey commences in about 56 hours.  

  This is probably the only time I've begun packing well ahead of time, mostly because I've got nothing else better to do, and that for once I wish to pack light.  I've heard there will be hilly roads, plenty of slopes.

  And one of the things I realized as I thoughtfully rummaged through cabinets, drawers, and the nooks and crannies of my room on a daily basis, picking out carefully screened items, throwing them into my petite-sized orange suitcase and lifting it to test its growing weight is that, traveling light is a thought-intense process, not to mention it could get costly!  Many decisions, more like compromises, had to be made.

  Picking out travel outfits really came down to the question of fashion vs. function.  I normally opt for the latter by bringing two pairs of jeans and half a dozen t-shirts, but in this case, I struck a balance by taking along two print dresses together with leggings.  No shorts of any kind will be accompanying me this time.  I understand Turkey is probably one of the most relaxed countries with a predominant Muslim population, but since we will be visiting mosques, this saves the trouble of avoiding certain outfits on mosque-visiting-days.  I could just don anything and be ready to go.  A rain-proof/wind-proof jacket always comes in handy when travelling.  It's become an indispensable item.  But this kind of jacket could be jaw-droppingly costly at stores like REI or Eddie Bauer, with the latest collections ranging in the hundreds.  Luckily, I got mine at Eddie Bauer while it was 50% off for around $50.  So it is worth investing in a weather-proof jacket when they go on sale.  You could wear it alone on rainy days as a rain jacket, for an extra layer of warmth in the spring/fall, or wear it outside of your down jacket in colder weathers.  All in all, I am taking only about three to four changes of clothing, plus the extra change of clothing I sleep in could also be worn outdoors.  The reduction process was painful, yes, but it had to be done.  I plan to toss everything into the laundry in Cappadocia. :)  ExOfficio undies come in handy.  But contrary to what's printed on the label, the underwear does not always dry in two hours.  It depends on the humidity.

  Cosmetics always account for the chunkiest department in the suitcase.  And this is one of those times you would be grateful if you normally had a simple skin-care routine.  I've fallen into more or less a daily routine the past year and half, gotta do your daily homework.  But for traveling, skin-care would have to take a back burner.  My face will remain clean and protected from the sun, period.  As for make-up, I'm taking nothing but essential items, and for me that means: eye-brow kit, a single eye-shadow, an eye-liner, a small tube of foundation, and a lipstick.  Make-up removing sheets, lotion sheets (both by ELF) and etiquette sheets are really handy and all disposable.  :)  All in all, I've managed to pack the fewest items for this trip.