09/04/2026
Story time 🙃
My first trip to Europe, I packed a carry on backpack (personal item) and a suitcase.
10 days in… I LOST A WHEEL. 😂
By the time I got to Paris, I bought a new suitcase off the street and left my sad little 3 wheeled suitcase behind in France. 🇫🇷✌🏻
Made it home and told myself:
Next time, I’m ONLY taking a backpack.
Fast forward to Europe trip #2.
I brought my backpacking pack aaaannnddd a regular backpack for easy access to everything I needed on the flight.
It won’t be that bad. 🥴
I was THRILLED when my big backpacking pack qualified as a carry on.
What I failed to think about?
I HAD TO GET IT INTO THE OVERHEAD BIN.
That sucker was pushing 50 lbs. 🫣
Between my height, the angle of the overhead bins when you’re sitting in the middle aisle, and let’s be real… my complete lack of upper body strength… I could NOT get that thing up there. 🫣
Thankfully, some very kind passengers came to my rescue.
And thus began 10 days of me needing assistance with basically EVERY overhead bin. 🥴
Semi embarrassed about my zero arm strength.
I broke a nail trying to flip, flop and launch that bag up there.
By the last train, I had officially given up and just bearhugged the entire backpack on my lap. 😂
So what am I taking on Europe trip #3?
No clue.
Checked luggage sounds real nice right about now. 😂
A SMALLER backpacking pack, and learning how to stop overpacking sounds smarter.
For now, I’ll keep working on my arm strength and keep planning vacations. ✈️
Moral of the story:
I can tell you where to stay.
I can plan the trains.
I can build the itinerary.
I can get you around Europe.
Just don’t ask me what luggage I recommend. 😂
And if you’re wondering how exactly I traveled through Europe with TWO backpacks…
One strapped to the front of me.
My trekking pack strapped to my back. ☠️😂
Just waddling my way through Europe with a backpack on BOTH sides of me.
