I’ve been thinking lately, as the time for me to depart the States approaches, about what it means to be an American, a Midwesterner, an East coaster, a woman, a Catholic, a student, a member of the twenty-first century. I’ve also considered what it means to be a traveler; many a road I have traveled before, through a combination of family vacations and going to school half-way across the country. Somehow I am finally beginning to master the art of packing light. Then again, I started way behind the average person in regularly packing all that I could not possibly need and forgetting the essentials.
My family often teases me for packing clothes I never wear, books I could find in my destination spot, too many shoes, impractical numbers of purses, artwork, decorative items, mementos. The way in which I pack, I think, reflects the way in which I live, the person I am. What are the most prevalent items that hog my precious suitcase space? I love jackets and dresses, which make me feel ready for any adventure; I almost always pack my childhood stuffed animal, Patches, and my pancreas stuffed animal, Patty; and I simply must have at least three books, usually one a beloved (and guaranteed to please) favorite.
What then shall I pack for Oxford? I will be limited to the use of two suitcases and one carry-on to pack my little existence into. Things in England will be more expensive for me, with the brutal exchange rate, and they simply will not have all that I am used to purchasing in America. All my aforementioned staple items will still be packed, with some additions.
I will pack my new deluxe backpack, fleece, raincoat, and tote bag (all of which were unusually extravagant purchases for me this summer, but necessary investments with the travel I will be doing). My new London skyline wall decal and a fresh order of favorite pictures will be thrown in, for the most lightweight and inexpensive décor items I can think of. I’ll definitely pack my bible, journal, movies, laptop, iPod, and camera.
Clothes-wise, I simply must be choosey and have lengthy consultations with my mom and sister, both fashion gurus and seasoned travelers (after which, I’ll throw in a few items I daren’t pack before their discerning eyes). I will pack jeans, trousers (as I have already learned that pants = underwear, but never fear, I’ll pack plenty of pants as well), shorts, skirts, t-shirts, jackets, and probably any and every dress I own, as I hear Oxford lives up to its fancy reputation. Other than my make-up and perfume, I’ll have to re-buy British equivalents of almost all my toiletries.
Of course, I’ll pack my student visa, passport, and wallet—all the items that are literally indicative of my identity. Isn’t it weird to consider that who I am can be packed up, paid for, and neatly shipped off to another country? I think that I simply will have to feel like a traveler, like a dispossessed foreigner when I enter a country with two suitcases that encompass all that is mine, for an entire year. Therefore, we arrive at the importance of packing smart: I need to bring items that will make my presumably somewhat barren room in England feel like home, when I first arrive and feel the most vulnerable, the most alone.
Perhaps it is most remarkable to consider what I leave behind. The majority of my books, lots of clothes, all of my art, my favorite American food, my car, my American currency, being part of the majority rather than a minority (which will be indicated by my accent), my junior year at Georgetown, my friends, my family, my dog, feeling comfortable and even confident in navigating my city, all that is known to me.
What will I gain? Why will going to Oxford be worth it? Fist, simply because it is Oxford. Like Europe in its entirety, Oxford has an irresistible allure for me (which thank goodness I can give in to, as I was accepted). I will travel abroad, and I will expand my tastes in food, culture, art, history, literature, people, and travel. London will become my city, and as I did in DC, I’ll create a little introductory description which neatly and succinctly sums up who I am: “I’m from Kansas, in the States, and attend Georgetown University in DC. I’m studying English, and what could be a more perfect place to study English literature than at Oxford?” (insert polite laugh). I will make international friends, perhaps pick up a hybrid accent, and discover my favorite British foods. I will maybe even learn to enjoy drinking beer (although not too much, as I have also already discovered light beer does not exist in England) and break my addiction to pop.
Hopefully I will bring back enough experiences, adventures, photographs, souvenirs, friends, and memories to make my year worth it. Despite my nerves, I honestly have no doubt that this shall be the case. My suitcase will both literally and figuratively be overflowing with all that I picked up, and was given, and was provided with in England. Though the time for commencing my packing has not yet arrived, I am beginning to both dread and anticipate it more and more. This seems incredibly important to me simply because it indicates my increasing recognition and acceptance of reality: in two short months, I am flying to England.
No comments:
Post a Comment