My full luggage complement right now is one suitcase to check, one (larger than I expected when it came in) backpack to go in the overhead compartment, and one "personal item" carry-on that's designed to either fit into the airplane seat pocket or hook to the tray table
The backpack is mostly padding for my camera, and stores the extra pair of socks and underwear I take on the plane in case my bag doesn't make it--I figure I can always buy a toothbrush and a comb if the hotel doesn't supply them--and stuff I won't be actively entertaining myself with during the flight like medications, spare chargers, etc. If I end up bringing my netbook, it stays there, too.
Personal bag is my portable entertainment/comfort kit: Kindle, phone, earbuds, the trashy magazines I always buy in the airport, emergency snack (hunger can trigger a migraine), slippers for the plane, inflatable pillow, eye mask if I attempt to sleep, alcohol wipes because plane bathrooms are gross, especially on long-haul flights, and I need to clean the psychic stench off after I go.
The backpack that was delivered yesterday is larger than I expected and will have some empty space, but that means I can probably stuff a spare shirt or cardigan in there in case the checked bag doesn't make it, and will have room for souvenirs on the way back. I got it partly to use as a weekend bag when I travel, hence buying it large because I had nothing suitable in easily-carried form, but looking at it is still...wow. It's at the limits of carry-on size, so I'm resigned to the fact that I may have to pull my daypack out of the suitcase and stuff it into the backpack so I can move the camera there if I have to check the bigger backpack on one or more legs.
The suitcase itself won't be full either, but I'm going to pack a daypack in it for walking around touristing with.
I am not of a size or shape that makes it easy to find clothing, so souvenir T-shirts are a no-go for me, unless I want to spend all day shopping instead of sightseeing. (I am shaped like a pear, so t-shirts that fit my hips are too baggy on the top, and women's cut t-shirts stop a couple of sizes below mine.)
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The backpack is mostly padding for my camera, and stores the extra pair of socks and underwear I take on the plane in case my bag doesn't make it--I figure I can always buy a toothbrush and a comb if the hotel doesn't supply them--and stuff I won't be actively entertaining myself with during the flight like medications, spare chargers, etc. If I end up bringing my netbook, it stays there, too.
Personal bag is my portable entertainment/comfort kit: Kindle, phone, earbuds, the trashy magazines I always buy in the airport, emergency snack (hunger can trigger a migraine), slippers for the plane, inflatable pillow, eye mask if I attempt to sleep, alcohol wipes because plane bathrooms are gross, especially on long-haul flights, and I need to clean the psychic stench off after I go.
The backpack that was delivered yesterday is larger than I expected and will have some empty space, but that means I can probably stuff a spare shirt or cardigan in there in case the checked bag doesn't make it, and will have room for souvenirs on the way back. I got it partly to use as a weekend bag when I travel, hence buying it large because I had nothing suitable in easily-carried form, but looking at it is still...wow. It's at the limits of carry-on size, so I'm resigned to the fact that I may have to pull my daypack out of the suitcase and stuff it into the backpack so I can move the camera there if I have to check the bigger backpack on one or more legs.
The suitcase itself won't be full either, but I'm going to pack a daypack in it for walking around touristing with.
I am not of a size or shape that makes it easy to find clothing, so souvenir T-shirts are a no-go for me, unless I want to spend all day shopping instead of sightseeing. (I am shaped like a pear, so t-shirts that fit my hips are too baggy on the top, and women's cut t-shirts stop a couple of sizes below mine.)