Apple
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Post by Apple on Mar 23, 2014 23:36:39 GMT -5
This for me is a huge goal, I'd really, REALLY, like to do it. I don't want to pack around a bunch of luggage.
We've done two weeks with a bag each, plus small carry-ons, but this round, I want to go full carry-on only.
So, I've been keeping a lookout on clothing that will travel well and isn't real heavy. Today I found Exofficio underwear for $8-11 on Amazon (normally the $18-25 stuff).
I've done sink-laundry before on vacation, but the clothes were cotton and took forever to dry.
Today I found a pair of pants for $10 that are quick-dry and light weight. As long as I don't lose too much weight, they'll work fine (and even then, my mom could take them in if I needed). I've also found a dress on ebay that will travel well. I don't normally wear dresses, but it will be a full outfit in one small-ish piece. I'm also keeping layering in mind, if it's chilly, it's a dress that would look ok with black leggings underneath.
My son will be harder to find clothes for, but I'll start looking for stuff for him soon.
I don't want to wander around Europe looking like a slob, so I'm trying to take my time finding pieces that aren't too expensive but will look ok. I'm normally a t-shirt and jeans person, but that is too much weight/too much dry time for this trip.
So, do you think you could do it? Any tips or ideas?
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Apple
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Post by Apple on Mar 23, 2014 23:41:20 GMT -5
One tip I read in a Rick Steve's book is to bring a 2 gallon zip lock bag for laundry. Put the clothes and soap in the bag, shake it up, and let it soak for an hour or two to get it as clean as you can. I never would have thought of that on my own. I'll probably pack a small container of oxy-clean along with the individual Tide packets. I also found water bottles that roll up. We always carry water bottles, but they take up a lot of room when space is limited. These have a carabiner, so they'll just clip on to a strap. www.thinkgeek.com/product/17f8/?srp=2
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kjto1
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Post by kjto1 on Mar 24, 2014 3:50:35 GMT -5
I am in the middle of moving! I have a decluttering book - the author has a chapter on what to pack/light packing for a trip such as this. When do you leave? I can keep an eye out for the book and share the tips.
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geenamercile
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Post by geenamercile on Mar 24, 2014 5:36:21 GMT -5
Have you looked at popcorn shirts for yourself?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2014 5:41:23 GMT -5
not a chance....I usually have to check a bag due to toiletries.
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Lizard Queen
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Post by Lizard Queen on Mar 24, 2014 5:57:16 GMT -5
Could I do it? Yes, but I'd probably hate it. I did 2 weeks in Jamaica with just a backpack, and it felt like I was constantly washing my clothes, which is a real chore when you have to do it by hand.
But, if you get a Eurorail pass, you don't want to be lugging a bunch of luggage either...
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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2014 7:17:45 GMT -5
It's my goal too and we are almost there. I use ebags. Everyone packs in cubes and then I arrange them in the actual bags. And then cube identifications can change depending on what we are doing... It might start out as mine, yours, his, hers...but tomorrow might be 1) dirty, 2) everybody's tomorrow clothes, 3) stuff we won't need for a bit... Obviously wear are biggest shoes and layers on flights. I can't remember what we did in Rome and Paris, but the Romanian hotel would take my dirty cube in the AM and deliver it at night clean... Cheap too. We are thinking of doing Icelandic air in fall and then stopping on the way back, so I trying to see if we can store a bag there so we have warmer things upon return that I don't have to cart all over Europe... Anyone ever do Icelandic? With the free stopover? It's not just rail. The flight I found from London to Romania in fall is 152$ for all 4 of us, but guarantee I can bring one 17 inch bag per person... No personal bag in addition. iPads to store books, movies, music, are also important to packing light... ebags. www.amazon.com/eBags-Packing-Cubes-3pc-Titanium/dp/B0013KBVHM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1395663313&sr=8-1&keywords=EBag
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Blonde Granny
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Post by Blonde Granny on Mar 24, 2014 7:35:25 GMT -5
I've been searching the internet for just this topic. You'll find a lot of ideas and info doing a search for carry-on only travel.
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Apple
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Post by Apple on Mar 24, 2014 7:44:50 GMT -5
I've been searching the internet for just this topic. You'll find a lot of ideas and info doing a search for carry-on only travel. Rick Steves has a page on his website with a packing list and helpful instructions as well.
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Apple
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Post by Apple on Mar 24, 2014 7:49:34 GMT -5
I am in the middle of moving! I have a decluttering book - the author has a chapter on what to pack/light packing for a trip such as this. When do you leave? I can keep an eye out for the book and share the tips. We don't go until next summer, so lots of time. I'm just a bit of a planner, lol. I wait until i'm on location to be spontaneous.
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sarcasticgirl
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Post by sarcasticgirl on Mar 24, 2014 8:00:02 GMT -5
I couldn't travel with just a carry on because I need liquids that are more that 3 oz. For 5 weeks.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using proboards
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Apple
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Post by Apple on Mar 24, 2014 8:00:13 GMT -5
I have a different brand, but may need to by another set so i'll keep these in mind. I handy used cubes before, but it looks like people really like them.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2014 8:07:14 GMT -5
I'm not sure of that set exactly, but we all use our large and/or medium ebags routinely, and have odds and ends smaller ones. Cross country last year all we took were 4 large ebags. (Jackets, hikers, etc just in the car.) Son can roll a week's worth of t's into one of the smaller ones... I should say my goal isn't really 5 weeks, just to be able to live a few weeks with just a European carryon.
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Mar 24, 2014 8:41:57 GMT -5
I couldn't travel with just a carry on because I need liquids that are more that 3 oz. For 5 weeks. Sent from my Nexus 4 using proboards Europe has stores too. I've done 2.5 weeks in Europe carry-on only, and I think with some planning and flexibility, I could do longer. Light, no-wrinkle, coordinated clothing is the key for me. You can buy stuff you need while you're there and toss it before coming home, too. In fact, I usually pack a fold-up extra bag in the bottom of my carry-on, and use it as our trip progresses if stuff accumulates, then check it on the flight home. It's a bit of a compromise and still allows fairly light travel if need-be. Doing sink/bathtub laundry didn't bother me particularly, and we got really good at it.
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alabamagal
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Post by alabamagal on Mar 24, 2014 8:58:10 GMT -5
I traveled to Europe for work a few times with a mid size packed bag and my computer bag.
My work was traveling to manufacturing sites for 2-4 weeks, so didn't need nice clothes.
You don't need to bring soap or most general toiletries, you can buy them there. Plus that adds to the adventure of trying to shop in foreign countries.
I did a combination of hand wash, finding a laundromat (which is a little difficult when you can't read instructions very well) and laundry service. One place we were in for a couple weeks, we became real good friends with the laundry lady down the street, who even invited one of my associates (who spoke the language) back to visit her is she was in the area.
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Gardening Grandma
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Post by Gardening Grandma on Mar 24, 2014 9:09:17 GMT -5
We've done 30 days with a carry on (and a camera bag) each. Last trip we had the challege of weather ranging from 80 degrees down to 50.
For starters, we wore the bulkiest items on the plane
Shoes: Wore hiking boots and packed sandals Warmth: Wore a lightweight fleece with a windbreaker on the plane Clothing: (in addition to what we wore on the plane) 1 pr khaki pants, 1 pair cropped pants, 1 long skirt 2 short sleeve tops, 1 3/4 sleeve top, 2 tank tops 1 bra, 3 pr underwear, 3 pr socks scarf We also packed electronics, packets of Woolite, &personal care items There was enough room left to pack the souveniers we purchased on the trip.
Our last trip was to Nepal and Bhutan. Europe is much easier. In Europe I usually found a laundry place where I could drop off our laundry in the morning and pick it up in the evening. I never pack a hairdryer anymore and take only a curling iron.
Over the years I found we just don't need as many clothes as we have taken. Every top can be worn with every pr of pants and the skirt. We washed our clothes in the hotel most of the time.
I started with the Rick Steves suggested packing list for women and modified it. I never take jeans (they take too long to dry). I tend to pack black, khaki and one bright color. Very little jewlery and minimal makeup. A scarf is handy.
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Mar 24, 2014 9:35:15 GMT -5
I went to Turkey in September with a 21" expandable roller bag for nearly 4 week and only expanded it on the return for the stuff I bought. The challenge with this trip was that we were going to be in Istanbul (dressier), at the beach and climbing on ruins.
Pt he only thing I bought special for the trip was a pair of light Merrill hiking shoes. They felt like sneakers but were a little dressier than them. I also took a pair of dress sandals and a pair of beach shoes, since we were going to be in a few beach towns. I took 3 pair of khakis, 3 pair of shorts, a dress, a sweater...a light cardigan, 8 t shirts/tanks, a couple of which were a little dressier, underwear for a week, a swimsuit and a very cheap beach towel (that I left in Kas).
We hit 5 locations, staying in each 4-5 days. When we first got to the hotel of a new location, I'd wash clothes. T shirts, underwear and socks dried in less than 3 days. I used those Tide packets, I think that there was a package of 4, I brought 1 back that I hadn't used. Our khakis and shorts I had laundered at the hotel laundry as no laundrymats existed that I found. I want to say it cost about $30 each time for both our clothes. I think I did it twice.
Toiletries were not an issue. We used whatever soap was at the hotel, and I think I needed to buy shampoo in Kas. I bought sun screen and lotion over there. The only makeup I took was mascara and a sunscreen lip balm.
i will say I was thoroughly sick of my clothes by the time we left, but it all worked well.
I also had a backpack that I carried my purse, a shopping bag, camera, a DVD player, books, etc. and carried whatever happened to be useful for what we were doing that day.
One of the things I did was carry a lot of paperbacks, as we did a lot of traveling throughout the country. I either left them in the hotel room when I was done, or some hotels had a book exchange, so I could swap them out.
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sarcasticgirl
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Post by sarcasticgirl on Mar 24, 2014 9:38:56 GMT -5
I couldn't travel with just a carry on because I need liquids that are more that 3 oz. For 5 weeks. Sent from my Nexus 4 using proboards Europe has stores too. I've done 2.5 weeks in Europe carry-on only, and I think with some planning and flexibility, I could do longer. Light, no-wrinkle, coordinated clothing is the key for me. You can buy stuff you need while you're there and toss it before coming home, too. In fact, I usually pack a fold-up extra bag in the bottom of my carry-on, and use it as our trip progresses if stuff accumulates, then check it on the flight home. It's a bit of a compromise and still allows fairly light travel if need-be. Doing sink/bathtub laundry didn't bother me particularly, and we got really good at it. Yes, I am aware Europe has stores. I am also aware that they do not carry several of the products I use daily. I ran out of 1 of my hair products while there and tried a couple of substitutes but they were a mess. I ended up spending a week wearing my very long and very thick hair up.
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Mar 24, 2014 9:39:33 GMT -5
One of the things I did was carry a lot of paperbacks, as we did a lot of traveling throughout the country. I either left them in the hotel room when I was done, or some hotels had a book exchange, so I could swap them out. I've done this in the past, but for future travel, I will plan to use a tablet or e-reader rather than schlepping books around.
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Mar 24, 2014 9:43:56 GMT -5
Europe has stores too. I've done 2.5 weeks in Europe carry-on only, and I think with some planning and flexibility, I could do longer. Light, no-wrinkle, coordinated clothing is the key for me. You can buy stuff you need while you're there and toss it before coming home, too. In fact, I usually pack a fold-up extra bag in the bottom of my carry-on, and use it as our trip progresses if stuff accumulates, then check it on the flight home. It's a bit of a compromise and still allows fairly light travel if need-be. Doing sink/bathtub laundry didn't bother me particularly, and we got really good at it. Yes, I am aware Europe has stores. I am also aware that they do not carry several of the products I use daily. I ran out of 1 of my hair products while there and tried a couple of substitutes but they were a mess. I ended up spending a week wearing my very long and very thick hair up. I guess we're just not that picky. We've not had any trouble adapting or going without. If I were the OP, too, I'd play around before leaving with finding a travel-friendly hairstyle. Preferrably, I'd look for a cute haircut/style that requires minimal products, no curling iron or blowdryer (finger-styling?), and is decent with humidity/moisture.
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Gardening Grandma
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Post by Gardening Grandma on Mar 24, 2014 9:45:52 GMT -5
One of the things I did was carry a lot of paperbacks, as we did a lot of traveling throughout the country. I either left them in the hotel room when I was done, or some hotels had a book exchange, so I could swap them out. I've done this in the past, but for future travel, I will plan to use a tablet or e-reader rather than schlepping books around. Sine I got my ipad, I download movies to watch on the plane. Also have books to read. At the end of each day, I download the photos I took onto my ipad to edit them. The ipad fits in my camera bag.
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sarcasticgirl
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Post by sarcasticgirl on Mar 24, 2014 10:04:33 GMT -5
Yes, I am aware Europe has stores. I am also aware that they do not carry several of the products I use daily. I ran out of 1 of my hair products while there and tried a couple of substitutes but they were a mess. I ended up spending a week wearing my very long and very thick hair up. I guess we're just not that picky. We've not had any trouble adapting or going without. If I were the OP, too, I'd play around before leaving with finding a travel-friendly hairstyle. Preferrably, I'd look for a cute haircut/style that requires minimal products, no curling iron or blowdryer (finger-styling?), and is decent with humidity/moisture. It is not a matter of BEING PICKY - I can't control what products tame my hair. I have very thick and long naturally curly hair that only lays in proper curls with certain products (and sometimes not even then) otherwise 1. it can turn into crunchy straw or 2. it grows so big I can't fit through a doorway. People who don't have hair of this style/texture generally don't understand, and even among us, what works for one person, doesn't work for another. If I went without hair products for 5 weeks, I'd have to shave my head, because wearing my hair up everyday for 5 weeks would cause the most insane headache and neck ache. the OPs question was could I do it, and my answer is No. well, technically, i COULD, but I wouldn't. but then again, I've been to europe nearly a dozen times and never had an issue with a checked bag as opposed to simply a carry on.
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bookkeeper
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Post by bookkeeper on Mar 24, 2014 10:06:27 GMT -5
<p>DH's uncle who has traveled extensively has invested in silk underwear and t shirts. They take up no room in the suitcase and can be sink washed easily and dry very quickly compared to cotton. They are also very warm if the weather gets cool and they breathe beautifully.</p><p><br></p><p>He is also a big fan of the TravelSmith clothing line. Lots of zippered pockets in jackets and pants so you don't need to carry a purse or need to worry about your wallet. I saw a TravelSmith ladies blazer at Goodwill a few weeks ago. I was so sorry it wasn't my size.</p><p><br></p><p>I second the notion of buying a few tops and scarves on your trip. They will be fun momentos to wear when you get home.</p>
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Mar 24, 2014 10:08:47 GMT -5
FWIW, I also have very thick, very naturally curly hair, so I do understand. I deliberately have a simple, travel-friendly hairstyle and have had no problems traveling in various climates/regions with minimal products or foreign products. My friends with long hair travelled through Europe without any problems either.
Which is why the OP might consider choosing a more travel-friendly hairstyle for her trip, as it will make her life much easier if she wants to travel light. I have found it to be so, and I adore traveling light.
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sarcasticgirl
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Post by sarcasticgirl on Mar 24, 2014 10:08:46 GMT -5
Here's a better answer: I could pack all my things for a 5 week trip to Europe in a carry on bag. However, when flying I would check the bag as I would be bringing items that are liquid and more than 3oz.
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Mar 24, 2014 10:10:59 GMT -5
I second the notion of buying a few tops and scarves on your trip. They will be fun momentos to wear when you get home.</p> Wearable souvenirs is a great idea! I need to pay attention to this idea more when I travel. You can also ship things home, by the way, if there's something you simply must buy while traveling. In fact, I've been known to hit a post office (or FedEx, e.g) while on vacation, and mail some things home to myself in order to save space/trouble.
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sarcasticgirl
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Post by sarcasticgirl on Mar 24, 2014 10:13:11 GMT -5
FWIW, I also have very thick, very naturally curly hair, so I do understand. I deliberately have a simple, travel-friendly hairstyle and have had no problems traveling in various climates/regions with minimal products or foreign products. My friends with long hair travelled through Europe without any problems either.
Which is why the OP might consider choosing a more travel-friendly hairstyle for her trip, as it will make her life much easier if she wants to travel light. I have found it to be so, and I adore traveling light. I'm glad you have very cooperative hair. You are very lucky. My hair style is very simple. It is long with long layers. It is very easy. wash, throw in product and Go. I generally do a quick blow dry around the crown so it doesn't curl down and make me look like a drown rat. Less than 5 minutes. However, my hair does not behave with minimal products and that isn't something you or I can control. It has a mind of its own.
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Mar 24, 2014 10:14:28 GMT -5
I never said it was cooperative. It has quite the mind of its own. I said I manage/cut it deliberately to keep it simple. Especially when I travel.
ETA: Also, OP, I've found that 3 oz of some products is quite a bit more than I expected it to be. The last time I was in Europe, I never ran out of several toiletries items that were in 3 oz bottles. And you can take two 3 oz bottles of something you need a bit more of. I've done that. If you're wondering, try a test-drive at home with some 3 oz bottles, to see what's doable and what's not.
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travelnut11
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Post by travelnut11 on Mar 24, 2014 10:23:34 GMT -5
I couldn't travel with just a carry on because I need liquids that are more that 3 oz. For 5 weeks. Sent from my Nexus 4 using proboards I think the point is the size of the bag so even if it was carry-on sized you could still check it due to the toiletries which is what I do (free on international flights). I could easily do 5 weeks in a carry-on bag. Once you learn how to pack efficiently (think rolling instead of folding) you can really squeeze a lot in a smaller bag. Make sure to bring well coordinated clothes, wear your bulkiest stuff on the plane and plan to have laundry done. I almost never wash anything by hand as I never really feel like it gets clean. Cheap laundry service can be found anywhere in the world.
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sarcasticgirl
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Post by sarcasticgirl on Mar 24, 2014 10:29:55 GMT -5
I couldn't travel with just a carry on because I need liquids that are more that 3 oz. For 5 weeks. Sent from my Nexus 4 using proboards I think the point is the size of the bag so even if it was carry-on sized you could still check it due to the toiletries which is what I do (free on international flights). I could easily do 5 weeks in a carry-on bag. Once you learn how to pack efficiently (think rolling instead of folding) you can really squeeze a lot in a smaller bag. Make sure to bring well coordinated clothes, wear your bulkiest stuff on the plane and plan to have laundry done. I almost never wash anything by hand as I never really feel like it gets clean. Cheap laundry service can be found anywhere in the world. I revised this statement later in the thread. I said I could fit everything in a carry on size but I would check my bag. Personally, I find it easier to travel without carrying things around anyway, especially when there are connections. And if they offer free gate check because a flight is full, I will usually take it. I agree with the laundry service. When I wasn't staying with a friend with a washer or a villa with a washer, I sent some things out. It was cheap and worth it. I've handwashed things like underwear and bras in the hotel sink before- no problem with that. Hotels off laundry service, but generally there are local laundry places that will do it for you if you pick it up and drop it off.
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