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Tips for Packing a Suitcase
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2006-03-22 09:34:27
CRIENGLISH.com
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 (Audio available for download)
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| Photo: sohu.com |
Packing a suitcase is a strategic, and often times frustrating, exercise in maximizing space and minimizing wrinkles. It's either too many sweaters or not enough socks, and you always end up looking like you slept in your clothes.
Well, whether you're getting ready for a two-week business trip or just a weekend getaway, a well packed suitcase of essential clothes, accessories, and toiletries can make your trip a little easier and more enjoyable. Even if you already have a favorite packing system, you can probably still pick up a few useful tips from our China Drive Features Correspondent Su Xiaowei.
It's a showdown between the pile of stuff you want to bring with you and the actual space available in your carry-on case, and you're trying to figure the explosive threshold for that little box on wheels so you can fit in one more pair of underwear and be on your merry way. Or maybe you're like me, a repeat-offender of under packing. I always like the idea of roughing it a little, thinking it's just a few days, and seeing need as relative. Then, once I'm actually out on the road, I find myself in desperate need of shampoo or toothpaste or find that the one shirt I brought is starting to smell.
To avoid both cases of over and under packing, here are some sensible tips.
The first step is to determine your priorities based the kind of trip you are taking. For business trips or formal events like weddings, you'll want to keep your clothes crease-free and in good condition. But for a hike in the mountains or if you're visiting friends, you can bear a few wrinkles in exchange for an extra pair of walking shoes.
For wrinkle free packing, you should keep suits or blouses stuffed with tissue and in dry cleaning bags, and these should ideally be packed into a garment bag separate from your other things.
Delicate clothes can also be kept from wrinkling by folding them around cushiony items like sweaters and knit shirts. You can place the first half of a pair of pants in your suitcase, then place a sweater over it, then fold the remaining pant legs over the sweater. But remember, never fold clothes more times than necessary.
Another trick is to roll your clothes into little sausages, this way you can distribute lots of items evenly throughout a small bag. This saves the most space but it can lead to some wrinkling, so it's best for casual clothing.
Once you're done with you clothes, it's on to the toiletries. The main thing to remember here is – seal everything! How many times have you opened your backpack only to find your stuff covered in the aftermath of a lotion explosion? To avoid leaks, especially during air travel, only take partially filled bottles, and then squeeze out excess air to create a vacuum. Then double bag everything in plastic bags - or even triple bag them if you're paranoid. And never ever pack toiletries in the same bag as your clothing.
And one last emergency trick for when you are absolutely short on space. Drop your bag on the floor a few times, this should settle things a little, and give you just a wee bit more space.
China Drive is one of CRI's radio programs aired from Monday to Friday. Chinastic picks the most interesting life reports from China Drive. Stay tuned.
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Director: Liu Chi 
