Baggage

There are certain things I really dislike shopping for, and in the last 6 months or so, I've discovered I really don't enjoy shopping for luggage at all.

When I went to France, I - being ever so clever - thought a rolling duffel was the smartest thing in the world, since it would be compact when unpacked. Try rolling the thing up and down the steps in the Metro - not so fun (especially after it lost a wheel...)! Of course I could have just carried it...except that I'd overpacked the thing to the point of it being excessively unmanagable. I think there must be an art to duffel packing: I imagine it's got to be perfectly balanced so that it's liftable and yet doesn't tip over when upright.

In addition to that smart move, I also brought a smaller shoulder bag as my carry-on, as well as a laptop case...which was all fine and dandy until I had to carry both through multiple airports.

Suffice it to say that I have developed a keen appreciation for handles, wheels, and a bag's ability to stay upright, intact, and under the airline's weight restriction when crammed full of my worldly possessions. Also, for colors other than black, black, and more black.

So...today consisted of trips to multiple stores (including three separate trips to two different Kohls stores) and a fair amount of somewhat unnecessary online comparison. Add in a trip through the check-out five minutes before closing time and an additional online purchase, and my luggage-buying is over...I hope.

On the upside, everything was on sale and I had coupons. Also, the luggage area is right across from the footwear department in Kohls, and I found some great shoes. Skippity-do-dah!