Thinking of a New Travel Challenge

Two of my bags at Au Marche de la Butte in Paris last week

I'm just recently back from a month in Europe. Again.

It was great. Really good. But there is something I am thinking of changing before I start putting together my next big trip. It's something that may seem small, minor, even kind of significant. It did to me.

Until I had just one too many of those "oh gawd I can't do this anymore I actually need help but there is no help to be found the only way I'm going to get these suitcases down all these flights of super-narrow super-steep super-scary stairs is going to end with someone finding my mangled limbs sticking out from under a pile of mangled bags and then how am I going to deal with being in a body cast in Europe for six months after that if I even survive" moments, I didn't think it was that big of a deal.

But it is.

I no longer believe that hauling around a 50-pound suitcase and a somewhat hefty carry-on bag and a monster-sized Lambertson Truex luggage-style "shoulder bag" and a shopping bag or two in which to fit those "necessities" that don't fit in any of the aforementioned receptacles is really the best idea. For me, at least. It may be for you, and if it is and if you brave the thunderstorms and pouring rain and cobblestone streets and steep hills impossible stairs (we'll talk Amsterdam canal houses later) and arthritis and back pain and everything else that goes along with it--and do it all alone no matter how tired and pain-ridden and despondent and disheartened you may become in the process--more power to you.

I mean it. I bow to you, for you are a better and stronger and more determined solo traveler than I.

Me, though, I'm thinking of trying a month in Europe with only a carry-on and a shoulder bag.

There. I said it.

A month. In Europe. No checked bags. Essentially a twelfth of a year in one little suitcase.

I've heard it can be done. I've even seen people swear that they've done it. But me? Until this past week, I laughed at the thought that I could live out of a carry-on for more than one day.

I'm not saying it'll happen. But it's possible. And going from a remote possibility to an actuality, either way, is going to be a journey in and of itself.

That journey starts here.