I travel on a semi-regular basis and would like to become a better traveler, both in terms of trip planning and packing/unpacking/repacking. If you travel frequently, how do you do it? How can I up my game?
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posted by kat518
on Apr 22, 2013 -
25 answers
I am a woman, live in the U.S., and I'm planning several trips to Europe over the next 3 years. They will be about 10 days to 2 weeks long, and will be in warmer months (spring, summer or fall). When I travel domestically, I always take just one bag (sometimes I take a second "personal item"). I need help thinking about what clothes I should take that will fit within these constraints. I am a plus-size woman, so that makes this more of a challenge.
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posted by OrangeDisk
on Apr 8, 2013 -
19 answers
I'm trying to plan our move from Oahu back to Los Angeles. We have too much for airline baggage, but too little for a shipping container. We're selling all the furniture and big items, and planning to buy used replacements when we arrive. We're paring down our belongings as much as we can bear, but it's still not going to fit in airline baggage. I'm talking medium-value, medium-sized things like baking pans, shoes, small kitchen appliances, and books. What's the cheapest way to ship all this little stuff?
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posted by lostburner
on Mar 19, 2013 -
10 answers
I'm looking for a small canvas bag ideal for packing beach supplies + camera, but
not a trendy messenger bag, nor a backpack.
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posted by critzer
on Jan 16, 2013 -
12 answers
There was an item missing from a recent Amazon delivery I received. If I complain, is someone at a processing center going to get fired?
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posted by charmcityblues
on Nov 26, 2012 -
14 answers
I'm planning to move in a little over a year and will only bring what I can fit in my car. How do I start clear out most of my possessions?
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posted by mtphoto
on Nov 13, 2012 -
21 answers
I have 200 scanned images of matchboxes. The matchboxes have different dimensions. I want to arrange the images automatically, with as few gaps as possible, into a large image to be printed as a poster. I think what I need is a "packing algorithm" but I don't know how to proceed. Is there a way I can do this automagically in Photoshop or with an existing freeware program? I don't need any special effects, just to simply arrange the images with the most efficient use of space.
posted by Infernarl
on Oct 26, 2012 -
6 answers
I'm moving. I want to do it in the most efficient way possible. Absent a magic wand, any tips/best practices/suggestions/lessons learned?
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posted by TravellingCari
on Aug 22, 2012 -
28 answers
I am going to Ireland for 8 days in August with my mom, aunt and cousins. I'm looking at the average weather and panicking a little about what to pack/bring/carry. I specifically need a good backpack for a camera, and some decent looking shoes. Can you help?
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posted by elvissa
on Jul 11, 2012 -
8 answers
I'm looking for moving/shipping companies to send a couple of boxes of books & clothes from Australia to the USA (as I'm relocating). While requesting quotes, one company strongly suggested that I hire them to
pack my things for me as apparently US Customs get suspicious if the boxes were packed by the individual mover (me, in this case) rather than by a professional. I haven't seen this mentioned anywhere else and the US Customs website hasn't addressed this. What's going on?
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posted by divabat
on Jul 1, 2012 -
12 answers
Moving from Brooklyn, NY to San Diego, CA. Have about 10-15 large/heavy boxes to ship to CA. A few boxes are primarily books and DVDs. The others are clothes and shoes. Nothing super fragile. I don't have a car. What is the best/easiest/most affordable way to do this? Halp!
posted by blackcatcuriouser
on Jun 19, 2012 -
16 answers
I'm packing for a move from a dry climate ~7,000 feet above sea level to a wet one ~300 feet above sea level. What precautions should I take to ensure all my stuff survives the trip? Anything else I should be mindful of for adjusting to the new environment?
posted by The Winsome Parker Lewis
on Jun 15, 2012 -
8 answers
Next month I'm traveling overseas from the US for the first time. What's the best way of packing the foods and beverages that friends have asked me to bring for them?
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posted by terrierhead
on May 22, 2012 -
19 answers
I'm moving in about ten days, I'm disabled, and my mother (who is in her mid-sixties) is here helping me pack. I've got four of five hundred books, mostly paperbacks and mostly genre fiction, about which I'm finally being sensible and eliminating. The problem we're having is that it's almost as much trouble to get rid of these as it would have been to pack them.
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posted by Ivan Fyodorovich
on May 19, 2012 -
24 answers
Moving to Copenhagen for 3 months, excited and nervous! What will I eat? What should I bring with me to wear? How will I get around? How will I stay in touch? Hope me, hivemind! (MANY details inside because I am such a special snowflake)
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posted by zingiberene
on May 11, 2012 -
14 answers
What's the best device (case, perhaps?) or method (common household item?) keep my ties and pocket squares in order in my suitcase when I travel?
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posted by Apropos of Something
on Feb 29, 2012 -
6 answers
I'm going to be in Washington DC from late November and most of December, training for a new job. They're putting me up in an extended stay hotel, but it's doubtful that I'll have a car unless I rent one myself for weekends. First time in DC!
I've never been away from home for for such a long period; I guess I'll turn off everything in my apartment except the fridge, have a friend pick up mail and help me deal with that kind of stuff, pay bills online.
What should (and shouldn't) I take? This comes after a lengthy bout of unemployment, so cash reserves are very very low. How do I get a bunch of stuff there without paying exorbitant airline fees? What else do I need to be thinking about?
posted by DandyRandy
on Nov 18, 2011 -
13 answers
Four gals going to Vegas for 4 days. Just one wants to check her baggage. How do we/I convince her it's just not necessary and will be a PITA if just one of us is doing this.
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posted by SoftSummerBreeze
on Nov 2, 2011 -
44 answers
I'd like to check a bicycle as luggage with Southwest. Could anyone advise me how to find a suitable box and then pack the bicycle in compactly enough?
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posted by d. z. wang
on Jun 10, 2011 -
12 answers
What are your packing and predeparture tips for making light-moderate backpacking trips more enjoyable and less painful and exhausting?
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posted by dahliachewswell
on Jun 2, 2011 -
17 answers
Tips on moving! Have you moved across country / to a different country? With a wife and two kids? How did you organize it? I am looking for specific things that we need to add to our checklist / to-do list. Are there any good checklists out there already? We will need to line up housing. What did you forget about? What did you do that you shouldn't have done. How do you line up housing when your thousands of miles away. Specific packing / organization tips? I would like to prevent this move from becoming stressful. Please help our family move with the least amount of pain. Moving to Austin Texas if it matters.
posted by jasondigitized
on May 23, 2011 -
11 answers
I will be living out of my 45 liter/2,700 cu. in. backpack for three weeks in a foreign country (Japan). Help me not lose my mind: please share your tips & tricks to stay sane.
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posted by halogen
on Dec 9, 2010 -
29 answers
Flying Airtran from Orlando tomorrow. Last time I was on a commercial plane was over 30 years ago and I sat on the floor. What do I need to know?
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posted by Talia Devane
on Dec 8, 2010 -
15 answers
Help me find the right pair of minimalist shoes! I've been a member of a Crossfit gym for six months, which means I've been exposed to the peer pressure regarding
Vibram FiveFingers. Plus, I'm starting to travel a lot (and
lightly) and want a pair of running shoes that have a small footprint
(heh) when packed in a suitcase. Recommendations for this recreational runner? Are Vibrams a good option? Which model? How do I size them? I'm training for next October's Portland Marathon, if that makes a difference. Bonus points for shoes available at REI (though that's not a requirement).
posted by jdroth
on Nov 10, 2010 -
19 answers
Given a set of points on a plane (or in a bounded region), how do I find the radii of circles centered at each point that provide the best covering?
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posted by Eamon
on Oct 19, 2010 -
28 answers
We just bought a condo (with a large closet in the master) in a ski resort town about 1 1/2 hours from our home. we use it on weekends and for vacation. I have a question about keeping clothes there or packing clothes each time we go.
I thought originally it would make sense to keep clothes there but am finding it kind of makes me crazy.
It seems like unless I remember what is there, I am forever guessing wrong. For example, last time I was there I was with only one pair of underwear because I thought i had some there.
Anyone have any advice for me that will simplify my clothing life?
It almost seems easiest to just pack all of what i need for the weekend.
We go about 2 weekends per month and I visit random times alone during the month.
Thank you!
posted by seekingsimplicity
on Sep 20, 2010 -
20 answers
I need advice on how to pack as lightly as possible for a ten-day trip to Italy in late June.
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posted by timoni
on Jun 1, 2010 -
28 answers
What is the safest and cheapest way to ship 4-7 boxes (and possibly an iMac) overseas?
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posted by iamkimiam
on May 23, 2010 -
8 answers
Help me write my summer camping packing list. Looking for the best practical, luxury or fun items that can fit in one car for a short trip (under a week).
posted by greensalsa
on Apr 15, 2010 -
22 answers
Is there anything similar to freecycle or craigslist for items one wants to borrow and return?
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posted by shaun uh
on Mar 31, 2010 -
9 answers
Cook-once-a-week round 2: What low-GI, high-protein food can I cook on Sunday night and then reheat for
lunch/dinner Mon-Fri?
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posted by Vorteks
on Jan 15, 2010 -
29 answers
Is it feasible to mail caramels? Or will the recipient end up with a weird melty lump?
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posted by troika
on Nov 25, 2009 -
9 answers
I (26/male) am leaving Los Angeles in January for at least one year of backpacking solo around Australia, NZ, SE Asia, and possibly some other places! Other than enjoying my remaining time before I leave (going to favorite restaurants, hanging with friends, etc.), what pre-trip activities should I be thinking about, and what preparations should I be making (especially while I have good insurance)? What do you wish someone had told you before you left for a trip of this length and scope?
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posted by adamk
on Oct 7, 2009 -
11 answers
I am looking for a new bag - hopefully, you can help me find one bag that will do my international business trips, day hikes, and weekends away.
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posted by AnnaRat
on Sep 5, 2009 -
14 answers
