packing day

Actually, today was my practice packing day. Yes, that's right. An international traveler needs to do a "test run" on packing in order to determine if all the baggage restrictions are met. Take a look at the photo. How is all that going to fit into two bags, which have a weight limit of 50 pounds each? Yes, I am taking the therapy ball. It will be deflated for packing;)

Note: That's not all my stuff. I am carrying some supplies to friends, Ed & Dayle Lauber, who live in Nairobi, Kenya. They are missionaries with Wycliffe Bible Translators.

 

Result: It all fit in the two bags and they weighed 40  and 43 lbs! Don't ask me how much the carry-on weighs;)

I won't have any problems on the initial flight from Portland, Oregon to Nairobi, Kenya. However, I am over the 20 kg (44 lbs) weight limit for the short flight to Eldoret, Kenya.  Will need to do some item shifting for that one or pay extra. Hmmmmmmm...how much can I put in my carry-on? 

Hence, the reason for a practice packing day. I have a few more days to sort it all out. 

P.S. I took the practice packing day one step further this year. My friends, Arnold and Marilyn Owens, who are taking me to the airport have a new Prius and wanted to see if the bags would fit in their trunk. Yeaaaaa..they fit! We'll be able to enjoy that new car smell en route to PDX and have a good conscience for being green:)