Every single time I go on a trip, I get in the car and immediately get the feeling that I have forgotten something.
Usually, I have this feeling because it’s true.
Take, for instance, my trip to Ireland earlier this year. I got the feeling I had forgotten something as I pulled out of my driveway. When I got to the stop sign at the end of the street, I immediately stopped, put the car in park, and checked for the two most important items I had with me: my passport and tickets to the football game that was the reason for the trip. As I had both, I went on my merry way, still thinking I had forgotten something, but assured that the only two things I really needed were in my possession.
Sometime over the Atlantic Ocean, I realized I had forgotten my hair brush.
This is the sort of brush I purchase when I have forgotten mine at home. It is also known as the only option I had in the random London train station where I purchased it. The brush’s handle says: “Waldo Pancake – Film self singing into and post on internet.” Not pictured is the back of the brush, which says, “Really big and painful toothbrush.” I still have no idea who or what this ‘Waldo Pancake’ thing is, though I do appreciate the British humor to remind me of where the brush was purchased.
Over the years, I have forgotten all sorts of things while on vacation, from my toothbrush to my camera to sunscreen and shampoo. I know I am not the only one with this problem; my sister once forgot her shoes when we went on vacation. ‘Forgot,’ as in, didn’t pack any and didn’t wear any.
It has gotten to the point where I just assume that I will forget something whenever I go on a trip.
For example, on my recent trip to Florida, I pulled out of the driveway and, once again, had the feeling that I had forgotten something. I got to the stop sign at the end of the street, put the car in park and checked for the most important item I had with me: my phone (all tickets needed for the trip were sitting at will call booths, where I couldn’t forget them). Assured that the only thing I couldn’t replace was with me, I went on my merry way, wondering what I had forgotten. About an hour down the road, I realized I had forgotten my new video camera; I decided I could do without, and kept driving.
The next morning, I realized I had forgotten my hair brush. Again.
To guard against the possibility of forgetfulness on the current trip, I have created a four page list of things I need to remember for the trip, which is detailed enough that it contains entries for even the smallest items, such as the various types of knives and the numbers I need to bring. Which, of course, means that I have likely forgotten to list something super obvious, and will forget said something because it’s not on the list.
On the plus side, I did put brush on the list. So there’s that.
Travels with Choppy 