A New Packing Challenge

I am a pretty light packer. Not the bare-essentials kinda gal like this person (he only brought 3 shirts!). It can be fun and frustrating at the same time while figuring out what you really need vs. what you really want. Last time I went abroad, it was for 10 months since I was really to study; traveling was secondary. I simply took the liberty of packing two suitcases and my backpack as a carry-on. But because this time I am studying abroad during the course of 6 weeks, and traveling for 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after, I need to seriously consider my version of bare essentials for 2.5 months. There are no round-trips for me this summer, they're all one-way tickets. At least I'm traveling during the summer, so coats and heavy sweaters are out of the question. From the beginning I already decided that all I am bringing is my carry-on sized rolling luggage and a bag (type yet to be determined, and more on that later). I am pretty confident that I will succeed in this new challenge my travel plans have given me.

As much as I actually wanted to travel with my carry-on sized luggage in the plane's cabin, I'm pretty sure that I will not keep to the ~8kg rule. Either way, I'll be carrying my laptop and DSLR with me everywhere. Many, if not all, budget airlines within Europe have very detailed rules about baggage/luggage, and they only want one piece of baggage being brought into the actual cabin. I will have to surrender currency to the airline companies, but as long as my laptop and cameras are safe, I am happy.

In order to comply with this one item on board, I have decided to embark on a search for a bag that can hold my laptop and DSLR. Naturally, I am on a budget (when am I not?), so I want to keep it under $75. I found beautiful bags that are dedicated to both laptop and DSLRs, but I need to learn that I have to do with less.

The brown MIIM backpack is on the top of my list. Actually, it is the only one on my (realistic) list right now. It has a space for a laptop, and backpacks are generally roomy enough for additional items. And it won't give me that un-even shoulder pain like messengers. Regardless, I still am in love with messengers.

This Ari Marcopoulos Camera Bag from Incase would be my dream bag. That's all I have to say.

I tend to gravitate towards men's messenger bags. I love them a lot more than women's. But I think this ONA messenger does justice to both sexes.