An ode to packing but I forgot the belt
Those of us sentenced to desk jobs and therefore not accustomed to frequent travel get into a tizzy if called upon to suddenly pack a suitcase and buzz off. The nerviness that accompanies the thought of travel can be pretty bugging, and most of us who fall into that category invariably mess up – not in our job but in that seemingly simple but highly tricky art of packing.
With the exception of jet-setting business travellers and women who have worked as secretaries, most of us are prone to leaving behind one or two important items. Incidents like forgetting to pack the toothbrush or the shaving kit are too common to be regarded as reprimandable. But there are innumerable cases of more serious lapses, such as forgetting to carry one’s passport and dashing home to fetch it.
Packing requires meticulous planning, but most of us pay it scant attention, with discomforting results. I once travelled to Switzerland and forgot to pack the thermal wear and gloves. The result? Had to spend a fortune to buy the stuff in Geneva, which deflated my wanderlust by fifty per cent.
As we are human and, in the absence of any app that enables perfect packing, we will continue to leave behind the most obvious of items, and kick ourselves vigorously for it. Haven’t we heard of people travelling to rainy destinations and forgetting to pack an umbrella? Minor things, but can be quite bothersome and as irritating as a wet rag.
Just the other day, I was required to travel to Abu Dhabi, a mere 90-minute drive. Just an overnight stay. ‘What kind of packing do I need?’ I asked myself. Just throw in a few personal items, a business suit and we’re ready to go. Instead, it is better to concentrate on the more important tasks of preparing for that major event or revisiting that crucial presentation.
I was on a high, having concluded the presentation with a flourish, and packed my best branded suit along with a matching shirt, tie, socks and shoes. I
Mind you, it is no easy task to shake hands with guests and hitch your pants at the same time.
patted myself on the back for a job well done, after making doubly sure I had packed all essential items. I sported a look of perfect triumph, especially since I had been told several times by the better half that I was very forgetful.
The trip to Abu Dhabi was a breeze, as I hummed a few bars of Ode to Joy at high decibels and arrived in top form at this brand-new hotel in the capital’s newly developed district. After a short recce at the conference venue, it was time to take well-earned rest in the comfortable hotel bed.
The morning came floating with excitement, and infused with self-confidence. A hearty breakfast and a quick shower, and I was ready to take on the world. The suit sagged a little on the shoulders, but otherwise I thought I looked very presentable. Well, almost. As I zipped up the trousers, I had a lurking feeling that something was amiss. Horror of horrors, there was no leather belt in sight. All I had was a jeans belt, which would certainly look silly on a designer suit.
Not many would be aware of the unease of wearing trousers without a belt, especially if you are on the wrong side of 50s, and have a stretchable waist that varies depending on the day of the week. Today, it was on a leaner side, and the trousers unusually loose. With just 15 minutes left for the start of my big event (where I would be standing and running around most of the time) and no clothes shops in the hotel or vicinity, I felt I was literally left with my pants down.
Mind you, it is no easy task to shake hands with guests and hitch your pants at the same time. There were embarrassing moments when every now and then I would go to a corner and hitch the trousers up, and return with a sheepish grin. Those two hours of beltless embarrassment looked like eternity and I was glad when it was all over and I finally flung myself on the hotel bed. Anthony F. D’Silva is a Dubai-based
PR consultant and freelance writer