To Tank Top or Not to Tank Top

Says Amy:
We have not left yet so I'll test this travel blog out by thrilling you with talk about PACKING. Wohoo!

"Simplify, Simplify, Simplify" said transcendentalist Henry David Thoreau.

It's been a very helpful mantra in the past for Momi and I who are notorious pack rats. I'm really trying to incorporate it once again, but when you have to plan weeks ahead, you're going to a place where a toilet seat is a luxury item, and you are a die-hard Capricorn who has a slight case of hypochondria, it's a tough one to live by. How do you say, "Take me to the nearest hospital, I need shampoo" in Thai?

To be honest, I've packed and unpacked for about two weeks now. Very excited? Let me tell you! Chris and I are bringing only carry-on luggage which makes the whole 3 ounce thing a pain in the butt. TSA says we can only have one quart size baggie of liquids per person. And to add insult to injury, they try to make it FUN by giving the whole process a cute rule to follow called the 3-1-1. "Get the 3-1-1 and Play Your Part" the poster says. 3...ounces. 1...baggie. 1...person. Brilliant.

Oh, Thoreau - I don't know if this is possible. Thank goodness most of what I'm bringing is in pill form. I'll be a walking pharmaceutical. So far, my carry on will supply me with malaria pills, Cipro (Thank you Lauren), antihistamines, acidopholus, aleve, ibuprofen, dramamine, my inhaler, band aids, gauze, purel, hydrocortizone, handiwipes, face wipes, tide pen, vitamins, lotion, emergen-c...um, anything else? Oh yes, and shampoo.

Numerous travel blogs have reported back one of the biggest faux pas for women is to be disrespectful and wear "skimpy" clothes such as a tank top. Only the prostitutes wear shorts and tanks they all say. Now, I don't plan on digging out my Duran Duran half shirt anytime soon, but sweet mother it IS 96 degrees in the shade in Thailand right now. But I don't want to kick off the trip insulting anyone. Then to confuse the situation, various people I know who've just returned from there swear that you'd be a moron not to wear a tank top since even the locals do. Somehow we've chosen the hottest month of the year to test this dilemma. Yay! I'm playing it safe and bringing both with cheap yet stylish thrift store clothes. If I am wrong, I'll have some lovely Thai lady fashion me sleeves out of the finest silks.