Packing Savvy

Moving abroad can be both exciting and terrifying. Without preparation, you may find yourself wishing you had brought this or that or done this or that differently. We have learned many things from our move and thought those who are planning to move abroad or even to visit, may benefit from our errors. Here is a list of some things that should be on your packing list.
Sturdy shoes-waterproof hiking boots and/or good tennis shoes. Frank bought Rockport XCS and I purchased Vasque. Both are waterproof, have good support and do not hurt our feet after walking all day in them. My tennis shoes are New Balance CW413.
Wicking Socks- Thick socks that keep your feet dry. We bought ours at Kohls. Bring a good supply. They are sturdy but difficult to find here.
Comfortable and Sturdy Backpack-Many will spend a great deal of money on this item but we found ours relatively cheap. I bought both from ROSS for about $20-$30. Both are High Sierra. Mine has a padded back and straps with space for a laptop and a zippered compartment on the bottom. It has a mesh water bottle pocket and slots to hold an IPOD and cord. Frank's is about half the size of mine but still has room for a laptop, water bottle and IPOD. We use them almost every day and have had no problems with either one.
Clothes-Unless you are the size of a typical Chinese person (ie.,tiny), bring all the clothes you will need. You can have clothes made here but I haven't seen anyplace that makes jeans, your staple item. We had to have a lot of things shipped to us because we left them behind. We would have saved money by paying the overweight luggage fee. Bring a good coat or two. Check the average temperatures for the region you are going to and plan for it to be just a little worse than that. Layering helped me stay warm this winter, since I did not bring a warm enough coat. Scarves and hats are plentiful but if you have a favorite, bring it.
Electronic Devices- Computers are expensive here, bring your own and all the toys and gadgets you want. A webcam is a must have. You can find them here but they may be cheaper on E-bay. Replacement cords are inexpensive, mine cost me less than $100 RMB (less than $13US). Plug adaptors are cheap and abundant. Buy them here. Rechargeable batteries are a good investment. Buy a few sets so you will always have a backup set for your camera. If you are a shutter bug like me, choose a camera that fits your needs. The Kodak EasyShare series record video as well and is travel friendly. I have a Canon EOS Model Rebel XSI. I bought spare batteries on E-bay for less than half the retail price and a zoom lens as well. It is not travel friendly though. Figure out what works for you and what you are willing to carry around all day. Many online sites discuss the pros and cons of different cameras. Do your research.
Comfort Items- Bring things that will make you feel at home. This will be different for everyone. We each brought a fluffy towel. Most of the rest had to be shipped to us. Your favorite book, scented bath stuff or lotions, absorbent kitchen towels(the ones here do not dry dishes and leave lint), your favorite small kitchen items, paring knife, pampered chef spatula( I left mine) dish brush. If you are a serious cook and plan to stay for awhile, your favorite pot, pan, dish, whatever you use all the time and can make room for. Pots and pans are available here, the better quality ones are expensive but many people have "yard sales" when they leave and you can buy second hand goods. A few bags of your favorite coffee or treat are must haves for those homesick days. If you are into makeup, bring it. Name brand stuff is outrageous. A dear friend who spent some time here told me, when you come in from a long day surrounded by foreign and sometimes unclean surroundings, you want to feel at home, comforted. Anything that helps you feel that way should be considered.
Medical Supplies- Bring any prescriptions, enough to last your stay. If you wear contacts, make sure you have enough to last. They are available here but not sure if they are the same standard. Get your prescription from your doctor and buy them online. You have the right to your prescription, demand it. Western medicine is available but it is not what you are used to. Some meds here are not even allowed in the US. Bottles of Tylenol, cold remedies and a large supply of pepto-bismol tablets (Wal-mart has a generic brand for all these), as well as a good first-aid kit should be packed. I took the ones from our house which were in hard cases, packed them in gallon Ziploc bags and brought them along. The water here has little mineral value so bringing a multi-vitamin can offset any potential deficiencies. Getting sick in a foreign land is expected, your body is adjusting to new everything. Expecting and planning for it makes it so much easier to handle.
The Little Things- One website I researched before coming, told me to bring a six months supply of things like toothpaste, contact solution, shampoo, hair gel, etc. I bought them, then when we went way past the weight limit, had to leave it all behind. What a waste of funds, especially when I found all those things readily available here. My family benefited from it though, as a six month supply was split amongst them. Razors, shaving cream, feminine products(different brands though, bring your own if you are partial), toothbrushes, body wash, are all available and for about the same price as the states. You may consider bringing one of each thing though, just to have until you get your bearings on where to purchase them. If you have a hobby like knitting, drawing, reading, etc, bring it. Yarn is plentiful, but the hooks and knitting needles are wooden and catch or snag easily. Any books you plan to read or study regularly should be packed. Bring a small sewing kit for buttons or rips. You can have things mended but sometimes it is much simpler to do it yourself.
ETC...- I am sure I have left things out so, if you have questions or suggestions, just leave a comment. I hope this helps any who are expanding their horizons in another part of the world. Happy Packing!
mandy
"My Mother can pack everything and the kitchen sink, my Father makes it all fit in one suitcase."-Mandy