[dalke]

On the return from my first trip to South Africa I carried 12 bottles of wine in my luggage.

That was back when flights included two free checked items.

On my second trip to Europe one of my suitcases was full of T-shirt swag to give out at a conference. Lugging both up the stairs, across the train tracks, and back down was a hassle.

Both of these were over 20 years ago.

And then there's the story at https://notalwaysright.com/a-steam-powered-cruise/392530/ of a couple trying to bring a full-size espresso machine on their cruise, so they can have their special coffee.

[octo888]

> On the return from my first trip to South Africa I carried 12 bottles of wine in my luggage.

Totally understandable! Amazing wine - I didn't want to leave Constantia. But I picked myself up and dragged myself to Stellenbosch !

And at the end of the trip, I didn't want to return home. Such an incredible country that still holds a very special place in my heart

[bparsons]

You didn't have to pay duty on them?

[dalke]

I ... probably did?

I didn't.

Things were a lot looser then. I brought a 6-pack of Negra Modelo as carry-on for a trip to Europe. The airport x-ray staff in Albuquerque recognized it on the screen, which impressed me. They had no problem with it.