Trying to be more light

I think it was mockduck who linked to a blog that was about creating capsule wardrobes when traveling. I tried to adhere to that when packing, and it worked out pretty well in my favor. I even accomplished the difficult task (for me) of only bringing one another pair of shoes. I had to remind myself if both pairs didn't work out for whatever reason, I could buy another. This is the US after all. They have shoes that fit my long/wide feet. Thankfully I could rely on a pair of espadrilles, and a pair of leopard print flats. Trying to keep things limited to a small rolling suitcase (which I had bought for when I went to Iceland and flew on easyJet, which has super strict rules about the size and amount of stuff for carry-ons) and a tote bag, kind of forced me to edit the hell out of things. Two dresses, one skirt, a pair of leggings, a pair of jeans, assorted tops, two scarves, (one big, one small) and a cardigan. Plus the shoes, and underthings. I didn't really wear the jeans much because it was a bit too muggy. But everything else worked out rather well. A lot of blue, black, and tropical colors. It IS Spring dammit. FEEL IT.
I wasn't so good on the way back in that I bought everything, and I wanted to stick to carry-ons, so I could just get off the plane and make my way home fast. I had this larger bag, which I used to stuff some things in, and say, "oh... I just have a RILLY RILLY BIG PURSE." (yeah I was that person. But whatever, half the people on the plane looked like sherpas with their carry-ons.) The only hiccup in that plan is that the cheap-o bag I was using freaking broke and fell apart after I got through security. Thankfully there are shops that are ready with luggage to sell. I bought a big damn sturdy bag/purse thing and shoved all my worldly carry-ons from the broken purse, into that bag. What a bag. Definitely using that in the future. Zips up and everything.
I am always trying to cut down on what I bring. It was easier just because of the lack of children traveling with me. They have their things, and often I must keep an eye on those things. But when it is just me, I need to remember that I can always roll with any needs.
There was a timely article about this. It is a bit jokey classist in that oblivious guardian sort of way. (poor people bring everything because they can't afford stuff, how odd is that. whevs.)

eat and move. Move and eat

Friday morning after arriving and sleeping and waking, and sleeping a bit again, I woke up. I may have set an alarm. It was nice waking up in that hotel room. Even if I had that bother of a lost credit card. There was that oddness when being aware of the time zones, and how Mr. Jenner and the kids were done with their day. Long done. "Ack, they are living with out my presence. The ego!"
I had snacks to eat, stuff to repack neatly. (I get weird about that.) I had texts from my brother, and a friend who were on their way into the city. I checked out and met them at the BART station, and then walked a couple of blocks to the next hotel. It was so good and natural to see these two people again. It hadn't been that long in the grand scheme of things. I saw K. in September for a few days in London. (and I will see her in October.. in London. Again. We meet up in London and soak up all of the culture and bacon baps together.) I saw my brother last year. Really almost one year ago. It will be a short adventure this time. We are making plans for a proper adventure next year. All the "hello! you are here! You are really here!!!" were sorted.
The room was ridiculous. K. had been upgraded so we had a massive view of the city and the bay. It was vast and posh. I had gifts for her. She had gifts for me. Stuff from Seattle. Stuff from London. Stuff from Paris. (She was in Paris recently.) Then we made contact with another friend! M!!!! Who now lives in SF. A gathering of people. Tom, K, and I met up with M. for coffee and beautiful central european pastries. And hot butterscotch. A dream is realized. A dream of hot liquid butterscotch with that dollop of soft whipped cream. I don't believe M. had met Tom before. Friends were to meet all of my siblings. We then went and got ANOTHER friend who was coming to town. Yes! Everyone came. R. zipped in, and we took M's car with a pile of us, for Burmese food. I had never had Burmese food. If you get the chance, try it. It was beautiful and delicious and so varied in texture. That tea leaf salad was something else. Crunchy, salty, tangy. I think my Mom would like it. Fast conversation, massive amounts of food, and then a quick wander into book shops. But then? THEN? We had more siblings to find. The last of them were arriving. My sister was at the hotel. In the lobby. Looking hangry and tired. I gave her some snacks. Travel with snacks. That is my one bit of advice. It keeps people from murdering. Tom found Mike. They went off to a hotel. But eventually we all met up. Together. In the same room. It was really good. We drive each other a little crazy because we are four people, but I genuinely like spending time with the rest of them. They are fantastic people. All with good kind hearts. Friends went off to have drinks and food. We had the offer of meeting up with family for bowling, but everyone was a bit worn. So my siblings and I went out to dinner at a hole in the wall chinese place that my sister and I had been to before. It appealed to all four of us. We like hole in the wall places, where the service is slightly indifferent to our presence, and we are likely to be the only white people in the place. Bonus if it is cheap. I realized the last time were had a meal together just the four of us -it was in a Chinese restaurant. (the place where our parents went on their first proper date date.) Both sides of our family have ties to San Francisco so it is a city that also feels a bit like home. We ate and ate. Then we wandered around the city. The thing is... our brothers are like dogs who want to walk for miles and miles and as my sister is quick to say, "you run the risk of a death march." She did the most insanely clever thing when we feared the boys might want to do something like walk across a bridge late at night... she said, "hey let's go this way I think there is gelato. She saved us from their walks. We found a bakery in North Beach, and I bought cannoli. We walked, took photos, looked at things, and talked. We sort of meander back and forth in different groupings, where you find yourself talking to a different sibling at different points. We invited them back to our hotel, and we ate cannoli, chatted, and found ourselves watching a british murder mystery show on the tv. The guys said goodnight, and we made plans to meet up in the morning for the wedding.
K. came back with tales of her dinner, and the good conversation. I had texts from my cousin about the wedding preparations. So much chatter through the trip.