when i was a kid, i went on an amazing journey overseas. when i was packing my mom's counsel was to pack things that were easy to smash into a corner, under pack, and to bring things i could do without. the plan was to wear something once or twice, and dispose of it to make room for the goodies i would be bringing back. (there was a 40 lb. weight restriction, and only one small carryon allowed.) i came home with only one pair of nylons, the clothes/undies i was wearing, and a skirt and one dress left--and a wonderful selection of remembrances! thank heaven for a smart mom!!

I used to go to Bombay with a suitcase inside a suitcase. This was in the days when you could have 2 suitcases FREE. I filled the extra with fabric and spices. Bombay had the most beautiful solid color cottons @$1/meter I've ever seen. They required prewashing with Synthrapol or Retayne (don't remember which), but they were worth it. Also,In Delhi, I bought silks @$5/meter. Now I wish I'd bought a lot more silks! I did buy enough to make my daughter's wedding dress and my dress for her wedding. I should mention that I was able to fly there easily because DH was a PanAm Captain. Ah, those were the days!

What a great deal. At that price I think I would have bought another suitcase. On your next trip, maybe you should include some of those folding suitcases, a lot are like duffle bags.

DD travels a lot by air. She just pays extra for extra luggage. She hasn't said anything about a one bag limit on any flight. I don't think I've picked her up from the airport with less the three big suitcases.

I'd be tempted to sew it up into "something" that looked wearable, using basting type stitches I could easily tear out on the other end so I could reuse the fabric, and declare it all as my usual wardrobe! You know, I use lots of shawls! :shock::D

Jan in VA

Tanyat: that is what I was thinking as well .. LOL

We just flew back from Florida in October and if you went over 50 lbs it was a $100.00 fee - that was with American Airlines. So we mailed a large box home, it was much cheaper. An extra bag was going to be $35.00 + the cost of the suitcase and a third bag was $150.00.

If you do have military connections over seas they can send via the FPO and pay US rates.

Up to $32.00 per metre here

Wonder if we could convince a soldier to smuggle yards of fabric wrapped around her body and taped a la smugglers, or maybe yards stuffed into a pillowcase as a carryon pillow?

forget the extra suitcase, they are charging 50-100 dollars to check it. Wrap yourself in the stuff and wear it on board, lol.