How does one spend one's last week preparing for four months in a foreign
country? Particularly with rustic
conditions and minimal airline baggage allowances to look forward to. One might expect that I would take up origami
to get me used to twisting things into impossible shapes in order to make it
all fit in. Or brush up on my Tetris skills. In reality however, I’ve
been eating Easter Egg that never got opened (got to use up things in my cupboard), buying so many pairs of shorts I
don’t know that they’ll all fit (but I might not want to wear jeans!), making cookie dough cupcakes and watching a
lot of Man vs Food (so the pre-summer diet is going as well as could be
expected).
Today, Journey – 2, we attempted to pack my suitcase. Attempted being the operative word.
Now normally, I’m an everything but the kitchen sink sorta
girl, the kitchen sink only being omitted because I forgot it. If remembered in time, it would probably be
shoved into my handbag. But, for once, I
thought I’d been really frugal.
Things did not get off to a good start. I’ve got a great case that is big enough for
everything I’ve ever needed it for in the past, and that was too small. We brought down a bigger case and it was
still too small. Plan for tomorrow is to
take out a few things – shower flip flops, my newly bought fleece and try and
condense things as much as possible and go with the original (lighter)
case. Scales also being brought down in
the hope my luggage is under the weight limit!
In the interests of making blog potentially useful for
people who don’t know me, I’ll share my packing list. The following is for 4 months away from home
in the US, 3 of which will be staying at a summer camp:
Carry on toiletries
In a toilet bag, except for liquids:
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Toothbrush case
Deodourant
Hair ties
Hair bands
Hair brush
Comb
Basic makeup (concealer, powder, mascara, lippy)
Lip balm
Wipes
Hold luggage
toiletries
In a toilet bag:
Feminine hygiene products
Shower gel
Razors
Shampoo (1 bottle)
Conditioner (2 bottles –long hair!)
Towel x 2, one being a travel towel
Hairdryer
Nail scissors
Medication
Toilet bag
Shower cap
Plasters
Antiseptic cream
Climate-proofing
Sunscreen
After sun lotion
Bug repellent
Bite relief
Clothes
Swimsuit x 2
Swim cap
Underwear and socks x 10
Pyjamas x3
Jeans x 3
Shorts x 4 (was meant to be 2, but I “accidentally” bought
more)
Smart trousers
Football shirts x 2
Polo shirts x 5
T-shirts x 3
Hoodie x 2 (1 light, 1 heavy)
Rainjacket
Maxi dress
Little cardigan
Army style cap
Shoes
Flip flops
Canvas pumps
Crocs
Heavy duty trainers
Misc. hold luggage
Laundry bag
Camp songbook
Scottish flag
Printed out pictures from home
Torch
Misc. hand luggage
Sunglasses
Moneybelt
Notepad
Pens
Camera + accoutrements
Padlock
US adapter
Phone + charger
Ipod + charger
Laptop + charger
Wallet
Cowboy hat
Travel cushion
Mr Pricklepants toy – a gift from my boyfriend!
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