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| Packing for a long trip = messy. |
Good question. I’ve
been reading some advice on other travel blogs and forums and have taken some
of it to heart. Based on their advice, I’ve
bought a cable that locks (for keeping stuff safe in a hostel), a power
converter and adapter, a cheap watch, stickers, and some cooking/baking stuff
(like measuring cups, hot sauce, and vanilla extract). But there’s one recommendation I’m having a
bit of trouble with... “pack light.”
It’s just not happening.
I have packed and re-packed and re-packed my bags and can only seem to
fit in everything when I pack 2 checked bags, a carry-on, and a laptop bag. Each
time I’ve re-packed, I’ve taken out certain shoes and toiletries and clothes,
and it’s still not working.
I was REALLY hoping not to need the 2nd checked
bag, but I just can’t seem to do without.
L Bummer.
Don’t ask me how I plan to get through the airport/train station/etc.
with all these bags… I’m not exactly sure; but, I am sure that it’ll all work
out ok. Somehow, I’ll make it work.
Amidst all of these thoughts of packing, I’ve also been
wondering what I should bring as a gift for the host family I’ll be living with
for 1 month and what I should bring to share with my students as visual aids of
US/Ohio culture. So far, I’ve got B is for Buckeye, which is an ABC book
about Ohio, a (somewhat dated) photo book of Ohio called Simply Beautiful: Ohio, a Sesame Street card matching game, a
Dayton Dragons hat (a popular, local minor-league baseball team), and a book
about the American flag. I’m also
bringing Reese’s cups, Reese’s Pieces, cake mix, pure vanilla extract, brown
sugar, semi-sweet Tollhouse chocolate chips, and icing – I plan to make them
some yummy baked goods and share with them the blissful combination of peanut
butter and chocolate.
Can you think of anything else that might be good (and small…
remember the packing problem) to bring to Spain to share with my host family
and students?
Only 1 week left in the States!
Hey Rachel! I saw your post on FB- long time no see! So cool that you're going to Spain.
ReplyDeleteI always have the problem of figuring out what gifts to take. My most recent success: postcards. Take postcards of Ohio. They make great thank you notes and are also lovely tokens of your home state. Buckeyes are also a popular homemade treat- you can make them before and put them in snack size baggies for easy distribution.
Are you sure wherever you are staying has an oven? I didn't have one when I lived in Spain and not many people I know did.
The best traveling advice I ever got was to take half the stuff and twice the money. You WILL NOT need all the stuff you have packed- I can guarantee it. You can manage with just a few shirts that you wash every couple of days.
I just got back from 10 months in India so if you need to bounce ideas let me know.
- Allison R.
Allison! It really has been a very long time! India? Wow! I checked out your blog and I've decided that I'll definitely have to read over your old posts and get updated on your life. :) Seems like you've been on quite a few adventures!
DeleteWhere did you get good postcards of Ohio? That's a great recommendation! Much lighter than a book too! I'm just not really sure where to get them. Haha.
I know I'm probably packing too many clothes (and shoes), but I am having an awful time cutting it down. Eek!
I don't know if I'll have an oven or not. I thought about making the cookies here and just taking them with me pre-made. But I've heard that if you DO like to bake, you should bring brown sugar and pure vanilla extract with you as it's hard to find/expensive in Spain. But maybe I'll just have that sent as a care package later if I DO have an oven.
Oh, and I was wondering... any recommendations on a good weekend bag? I figured I'd just use my carry-on (standard wheely bag)... but do you have a different recommendation?
Thanks!! Good to hear from you!