Packing M.O.

Africa gear--Looking good before it goes into the bag

 
My man and I, having traveled together over thousands of miles, several countries, and a few continents, now have what you might call a "Modus operandi" for the days leading up to departure. I shop several times for mini toiletries (why is that aisle so addictive?), clothing I might need like a sun hat or neoprene socks, and food items (if it's an outdoor trip, but I also like bringing 'lunch' with me on planes so I don't starve or in the case we are on one of the few flights left in the world serving meals, I don't have to eat airplane food). I am finished packing clothes and lunches, have cleaned or at least straightened up the house, stopped the mail, been to the bank and informed the landlord of our plans several days before we leave. The night before I even book the taxi. On the day of departure I am calm and relaxed, channeling my holiday self and letting the worries of work and daily life slip away. If we are at the airport 30 minutes prior to departure, life is good.

My man, on the other hand, operates in a different world: the day before we leave, he runs around town buying toothpaste, clean underwear and new socks because he hasn't done laundry, he spends all night charging camera batteries and emptying SD cards, goes to bed at midnight and gets up at 2am to pack (and by that I mean hurling clothes into a bag) for a flight that leaves at 7am. He checks with me once, twice, four times that I booked the taxi, and when we don't hear the cab's horn at the appointed time, shoots me a dirty look and is half in his car saying we'll just pay the $25 a day to park at the airport even though our trip is 3 weeks long. I have him subdued just barely when the taxi pulls up and he begrudgingly breathes a sigh of relief. Mind you, I have booked the taxi 3 hours ahead (the airport is 10 minutes from our house) because on the day of departure, no matter how long or international the flight, my man insists that we are checked in, through security and waiting at the gate a minimum of 2 hours ahead of flight time. 2 1/2 to 3 hours is preferable, but after years of battle I have whittled it down a bit. 

After all these years of travel together, I have also learned not to mess with the man and his M.O. when it comes to airports. 

The first time we went on a trip together I was not aware of his "airport issue." We were going to San Francisco for the weekend, a mere hour or so flight for us, and I was ready to breeze into the airport 30 minutes prior to departure, relaxed, excited, and feeling romantic about our first trip together, the first of many I'd hoped, having finally found someone for whom the love and passion for travel was as boundless as my own. Well, as I casually called a taxi, I noticed my man twitching strangely at my seemingly blase attitude, then as I cruised through security with not a care, and waited in line for the despised "cattle call" that certain airlines without assigned seating utilize, I was alarmed to see his twitch turn into shaking, and his slight convulsions turn to near hysterics as the hoards and their overstuffed rolling luggage jostled for position at the gate. I didn't know what to do. I tried talking him down, but never having seen him this way, nor anyone for that matter, I was at a loss. Of course, we were snappy with each other, trying to keep a lid on what was amounting to a full blown fight, struggling to get seats and settle in before our wonderful romantic San Fran weekend began.


By the time we got to S.F., things were calmer, but not until we were well settled in to our second drink of the night did the man explain to me how he likes to handle the airport. Of course, I thought he was nuts, especially when his packing and preparation routine is so chaotic and anything but ahead of schedule, but decided if it means that much to him, I will go with his airport M.O. from now on. Even if it means waiting at gates for 2 full hours or more or getting up at 3am instead of 4. Mind you, we have been so early for a 30 minute flight to Vegas that we could have driven there in less time than it took us to fly, but if it makes my travel companion calm on travel day, I am all for it.

The arsenal (pre-sorted!)

That's why I have been in shock for days. Days. That's how long his Africa bag has been packed. We leave in 4 days and his bags are done, including at least half of his photography equipment. I think he finished 85% of his chores over a week ago. I finally threw stuff in a bag yesterday. And I still haven't sorted through the arsenal that is womens' toiletries. What the what? I must say I am happy for this change in the M.O. It means we are both more relaxed in the days leading up to the flight, and who knows? this feeling of calm may eventually transcend to travel day. As of today, t-minus 4 and counting,  we are both ahead of schedule, and our flight leaves at a blissful 4:30 in the afternoon (we even have a ride), but I bet we'll still be waiting at our gate, surfing the internet on the ipod and drinking $5 coffee by 2:00pm.

Only a few of the books he's taking