Pearson International Airport (YYZ), Terminal 2, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
5:05 p.m., May 5, 2006.
For reasons that still make little sense to me or anyone who knows me, my carry-on baggage always has a little stuffed animal hanging off of it. Depending on my mood, it might be Eeyore of Winnie the Pooh fame, Po from the Teletubbies, or any other little critter who happens to be nearby when I pack my bags.
This silly little tradition of mine serves a number of purposes: It makes travellers around me smile. It helps grease the skids when I go through security, and it lessens the distance between me and my brood. Travel is, by definition, a lousy way to spend time. But a little touchstone here and there can help take the edge off.
As I write this, I'm preparing to head off on another wild adventure. I'm crossing the continent later this afternoon and evening, on my way to Microsoft's WinHEC conference. Po is all ready to go. May we both have a quick, easy and productive trip.
Your turn: Do you take little pieces of home with you when you travel? Do tell.
If I travelled... I would :) However.. I don't go anywhere.
ReplyDeleteI take my pillow. And I won't give it a fresh pillowcase before I go, as the "old" one holds a faint smell of home.
ReplyDeleteI would also think that the stuffed animal on the luggage helps you identify yours in the sea of black overnight bags. I have a bright red suitcase to counter that.
I know that I'm weird but I take my husband's pillowcase with me if I'm traveling alone - that way at least my sense of smell is tricked into thinking he's with me.
ReplyDeleteHe travels more than me and I haven't ever noticed anything he takes with him......hmmm I'll have to ask him.
I take a very small yellow plastic duck in my washbag. Always entertaining if I get searched.
ReplyDeletei always take a recent drawing by each of my hoglets. and usually a liitle toy if i can grab one that they won't miss. or else a t-shirt or vest of theirs. i know its silly, but... well.
ReplyDeletecourtney, when i came back from a london trip last week, at the baggage carousel a flight had just arrived from egypt and virtually every single case was bright red!! so funny.
i love po in the glass*
I do. I bring my family. I seldom travel alone. I would like to leave the wife home and just go with the boys. The Mrs. is a notorious buzzwrecker on the road.
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It depends on whether I am flying or driving. If we are driving, I definitely take my pillow and a blanket. If I am flying, I try to minimize extras. I like your idea, though, as it keeps you connected to your children (as if you needed a toy to do that....LOL)
ReplyDeleteLoads of 'little things from home' :-)
ReplyDeleteI always take an extra pillow...
and a bear; sometimes Stitch, sometimes my Bear Factory Bears, but mostly these days I take Geoffrey, my polar bear I got for Christmas from Bobkat - I would be lost without my bears....
btw - isn't Po cute in that glass....?
cq
Things i take from home: hats i love, chocolate, my journal, my pillow, sage, my drum, small vibrator.
ReplyDeletehey carmi, can you send me your email so i can ask you about laptops (i'm the new blogger friend of colleen's in floyd, va looking to buy a laptop) because my email account won't work with your email link. thanks!
For the record, Po was always the one Teletubby worth knowing:)
ReplyDeleteI can't think of anything I don't live home without (besides my laptop and mp3 player) these days, but my friend's brother used to never travel without a pillow. On one trip, he brought "big" and "little". We all took turns carrying the crew threw the airport.:)
I take a quilting project I'm working on, my mala (prayer beads), my journal, some special photos. Hope you're having safe travels!
ReplyDeleteAs a musician, I travel quite extensively. I always bring, in my carring on, a ratty small blanket. Keeps me warm in those freezing planes and reminds me of home. Also, hanging from the bag ; one of those tacky miniature tequila bottle keychain... always a great conversation starter !
ReplyDeleteI'm lucky if I can remember to bring my shoes. Man, you travel A LOT! I don't have any regular bring along, though I sometimes, like Keda, have a recent drawing from ths little one. Folks around here are more concerned with what I bring back.
ReplyDeletePhotos of the family do it for me!
ReplyDeleteThanks for starting my morning with a smile. My kids - they like those Tubbies. I find them a bit creepy. The image of a Teletubby stuck in a glass is just perfect.
ReplyDeleteI've not traveled often without the family since the kids arrived. To date, I've not thought of taking bits of home with me when I am without them but you've got me thinking now.
Lol that is an awesome picture. Filled with irony.. i love it! The only thing I really take with me when I travel is my ipod. It is my portable piece of home where I can be surrounded with memories and feelings by just the choice of song.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful Idea! I love this Carmi...And I love all your reasons for doing this...It sure makes sense to me and with traveling just about at the Stuffed Subway level everyone needs as many smiles as possible!
ReplyDeleteI travel with my Teddy Bear...and have for years and years and years....!
i always take something along. a picture, or stuffed animal or my little throw blanket.
ReplyDeleteI take photographs. :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely idea! I hope you are enjoying your adventure!
ReplyDeleteWhat a good idea! I always travel with a small book of photos of my kids, my husband, and my family - even when they travel along with me! I also have a little keychain-type think with some "charms" on it - special things from my hubby. (It has a guardian angel penny he gave me right before going out to sea once, one of his dog tags, and his class ring he gave me while we were dating) - I like to keep that close as well. :)
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