Travel Pathology

OK, episode two of ‘Where’s Kaylin?’ finds me sitting in a downtown coffee bar in Grand Junction, CO. I frequent whichever coffee bar can provide me with the best chai, so here I am at the simplistically decorated Kiln Coffee Bar.

Four days away from departure, the most common questions I receive are: “Are you excited to leave soon?” “Can you believe that you are leaving in x amount of days?” and “How do you feel?”

My answer? Completely fine. Abnormally normal. Just another day. Casual.

It’s rather bizarre how my amygdala has yet to acknowledge the upcoming transition. And the fact that I haven’t freaked out yet leaves me uneasy. Because it’s bound to happen—I don’t know when or how—but can anyone really move 5,000 miles away from home without enduring at least one sleepless night or breakdown?

Of course, packing has proven to be the one task I cannot seem to wrap up neatly and maintain in a prepared state for departure.

Ever since the prospect of relocating to Scotland came into view, I schemed and envisioned assembling all of my tips and experiences packing to create two incredibly well-organized suitcases with room to spare. Categorical, sensical, simple. However, this has proven to be yet another process where I underestimated the feasibility of my day dreams.

In the past, I have taken pride in living off of a 40-gallon backpack during month-long voyages gallivanting across Europe and Africa. However, it has dawned on me that this will not be just another ‘trip.’ I am moving to the UK, taking up residence, and starting a new life.

Therefore, I have no choice but to throw my impressive, minimalistic, almost deficient ways out the window. In this era I declare, ‘Pack what you can, all that you can!’ Covering four seasons, nine holidays, every mood, and all occasions. Professional shoes, athletic shoes, nice shoes, cute shoes. Sweater dresses, summer dresses, fancy dresses, night dresses. Anatomy flashcards to study! My Jilaba if I decide on a weekend in Morocco, or just for chilly days in the flat. I can’t live without all of my polaroids of loved ones, I could use some scotch tape in case there is a project I wish to work on, and I should ensure I have all my bath products (even though there is not a bath in my dorm room as far as I know). My favorite mug, my stuffed tiger, my guitar…ok that wont fit!

I wish I could give you all the tips of a travel influencer, with a suitcase so efficiently put together it was featured in Travel+Leisure magazine, but I’m just a 26-year-old teenager who has never lived abroad and is just trying to get to school. I will say that I have three words for any and all who wish to make the most of their suitcase space: VACUUM-SEAL-BAGS.

The final result has been two large, overly stuffed suitcases with absolutely no extra room for a bobby pin, that will surely cost me when they are weighed on the unforgiving airline scales at check in.

But at least, I feel prepared… for whatever this year brings.