Albuquerque, NM, work trip in a week – need advice
Hello everyone!
I'm going to be in Albuquerque, NM, for 3 days for a 2.5 day work event, with 2 travel days.
I'm getting back into minimalist packing now that I'm fully recovered from a fibroid surgery several years ago (no more back pain!) and flying for the first time for work since 2019, so I'm worried about being gate-checked unlike the past few years when I've only done train travel.
Here's my tentative packing list. Is this about right for where I'm going, or is it going to be a struggle to fit it all in a backpack? I'm planning to do a two-hour guided bike tour on my last afternoon in Albuquerque (I can't afford to go on non-day trip vacations with my salary, especially with US inflation being so bad, so I try to bundle at least one fun thing into every work trip), and I'm going to be packing everything in a 30L Nemo overnight backpack (the one with the duffel opening). There's a small grocery store about a 10-minute walk from my hotel where I can get more sunscreen.
I used to need to pack a lot more because I took a collapsible meditation bench with me, so I had to use a suitcase, but I think I may just be able to go without if I stack pillows on the hotel bed? I could use some advice on what to do with that because my meditation practice is sometimes the only thing holding me together.
Apparel & Footwear
- 2 pairs linen pants (one worn on plane)
- 2 linen blouses (one worn on plane)
- 2 cotton work-appropriate dresses
- Cotton shrug for over-air-conditioned building
- Linen activewear shirt and 1 pair informal shorts (for bike thing)
- Linen blazer (debating whether to wear this on the plane)
- Sleeping shorts and a tank top
- 8 pairs of underwear (yup)
- Hiking shoes + 2 pairs socks
- Ballet flats (for my presentation day)
- Ergonomic work-appropriate sandals (wearing on plane)
- Basil City Bike Handbag (8L, functions as a purse because the KlickFix panel and pannier hooks can be hidden when not using that function, could theoretically put some of my things in it on my travel days)
Gear
- Supernote tablet + spare pen
- Kobo
- Hearing aid charger
- 2 USB-C chargers with 2 wall plugs
- Bluetooth keyboard for phone
- Phone
- ANC headphones
- Hearing aid clamshell
- Modl straps (never know when you need 'em)
- Maybe my work laptop ... I'm pretty sure I can get by with taking notes on my eink tablet and using the external phone keyboard ... I just need to check with the organizers that the room has a presentation laptop in it
Wellness
- Prayer beads + icon
- Yoga therapy balls
- Instant matcha and magnesium single-serving sticks
- Vitamin C
- B complex supplement
- Empty water bottle
- Gluten-free protein bars/snacks for flight day
- Solid shampoo and conditioner bars
- Electric toothbrush + travel case
- Face moisturizer
- Deodorant
- Mini bottle of sunscreen
- OTC allergy medication
- Face masks for travel days + public bathrooms
- Hand sanitizer (travel size) and sanitizing wipes