My Luggage

With all the moving and traveling I have done, you would think that I had my own luggage.  Nope.  Never.  Nada.

In college I had my backpack and threw everything else in garbage bags.  Hey, I was cheap!  And moving in college really meant moving up the hill, down the street, or sometimes, a few floors up. And my living spaces were so tiny, empty luggage would take up valuable  space.

After college, I graduated to duffel bags. Tre Fancy!  (But I am pretty sure I only bought them because it was on sale at Target.)  One even had wheels!  I often used that to do my grocery shopping and laundry around town.  I didn't give a shit about hitting people's ankles or crowding the bus/muni.  I had underwear to wash, and buy-one-get-free sales at Safeway to load up on, people!

During and after graduate school, I just mooched a carry on from my family or friends whenever I needed one for work.

Being cheap and being a luggage mooch led to me being luggage less.
For this new adventure, my parents offered to give me their luggage.  At first, I jumped at the chance. But then I saw them and realized why they were being so generous.
They were old and falling apart.  WAY over the maximum dimensions. And each piece weighed 16+ lbs!

A person flying to American Samoa is at the complete mercy of Hawaiian Airlines.  They are the ONLY US airline that flies to Pago Pago International Airport, twice a week on Mondays and Thursdays.

Currently, they allow a person traveling from US to AS:

• 1 personal bag
• 1 carry on; Max Weight: 25lbs; Max Size: 45 linear inches
• 2 checked luggage; Max Weight: 50 lbs; Max Size: 62 linear inches

I was bummed.  Because I will be living there and not just visiting, I was hoping that I'd get the normal 70lb bag limit that is allowed on other international flights.  Balls. I faced the fact that I needed my own luggage: something super lightweight so I could pack a lot of crap that I probably didn't need; something affordable because did I mention I am cheap; and something NOT black, red, or blue.  I have bad luck at baggage claim.  So many fools grab my luggage.  Seriously, Mr. Man that I had to chase down in SF, that may look like your black hard case luggage, but the big ass Rolling Stone lips and leopard and peacock scarves shoulda told you that this is NOT luggage you are looking for!  So with those fond memories in mind, I wanted something unique, bright, and easy to spot.

I researched online 'til I wanted to stab my eyes and then visited a ton of stores to test the selected few.  In the end, none of them worked. Too heavy.  Too common. Too expensive.  I was feeling bummed out and told my parents. And my mom suggested Marshalls down the street.  I thought, What the hell? And Lo and behold, I saw them....a vision of striped plum, raspberry, and blueberries....I saw four spinner wheels....I saw "super lightweight."  Most important of all, I saw the word "Sale."  I decided to try them out.  I took the largest one and just shopped around the store.  Man - this thing could really maneuver around aisle messes, crying babies, and slow walkers.  And it was really easy on my wrist and arm.  I was sold.

The Sausalito Superlite from Ricardo Beverly Hills!

I ended up buying the 24" and the 28" expandable versions for about $120!
That is a freakin steal!  They also are so light, about 7 lbs and 9lbs respectively. 50lbs sounds like a lot, but it really adds up once you start packing, so having a lightweight luggage makes a huge difference.  And man, look at those snazzy stripes! Love 'em!  I can spot any fool trying to snag 'em. You are going down! 

Feeling very satisfied with my find, I couldn't just relax and bask in my victory, oh no no no, I proceeded to pack as much crap as I could. Boy, I could fit a lot and it still feels so roomy! 
Love 'em! Love 'em! Love 'em!

As I get closer to my departure date, I probably will debate and prioritize my belongings into What I Need vs. What I Want.  For example, I am only taking one pair of jeans because it is so hot and humid. But I have a ton of cotton skirts, capris, and shorts.  A very nice teacher that I have been writing told me that good quality underwear is hard to find there.  So I packed a few weeks worth.  (I also don't know how accessible laundry will be.)  And I decided not to pack any of my hair tools. A sophisticated bun or ponytail will have to do for work.  And so forth. 

In the end, I know that my family can ship me items.  I also learned that Walmart and Amazon will ship to American Samoa too.  I know that I can items there.  There is a Cost U Less, which is basically like Costco or Sam's Club.  So I am focusing on my first month; what items will ease my transition during that first month....hmmmmm......