Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Packing: Can I fit the kitchen sink in there?

So....what can I not live without for 3 weeks of travel?  Coffee and Bible.  What do I need to bring to avoid huge laundry bills ($100+), freezing weather up North, and boring hours in hotels:  LOTS!  And how to get it in today's small suitcases is even more of a challenge.  I would appreciate any tips anyone would like to offer!!  By the way, I did find this interesting carry on:


So here I sit wondering how to fit it all in....


Only I'm older and not so cute.  This girl could wear a bag and look good.
 
Trying to remember what Jesus said:  "Don't worry about what you'll wear and eat - I've got it all covered."  At least that's a paraphrase of the verse. :)  So thankful and excited that we're at this stage.  

Blessings, Kim

7 comments:

  1. We returned in November after taking our family of nine to China for three and a half weeks. My advice is . . . think what you want to pack and then take out half of it. We way overpacked. Laundry is expensive, but it was pretty reasonable in Guangzhou, so plan to do your main laundry there. When laundry was expensive we ended up wearing our clothes more often before washing, so if you choose to do this you'll want to bring clothes that wear well. You can purchase almost everything you need in China, so don't lug it there and back if you don't need to. If you have a particular brand of something that you just have to have, then you might want to bring it. This was just my personal thing, but I have to have chocolate, and chocolate in China is expensive and not always tasty, so I was happy to have a little bit with me. And, I really loved having a kindle and ipad for me and my children. They're tiny but can pack a lot of books and activities.

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  2. When you figure it out let me know. I have lists and piles going and a husband shaking his head and thinking "Have mercy!". LOL

    Kim...it's REAL!!! We are going to CHINA for our babies!!!

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  3. LOL! With three girls with you, you definitely won't be bored and neither will they! From what I've been reading, laundry is pretty affordable, at least in GZ. I'm so excited for you and can't wait to see you with your daughters!

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  4. I love the packing photos! I'm so excited for you! It truly makes me happy to see you at this point. I can't wait to follow along as you go after your girls!

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  5. For the cold weather up north, remember you won't be sweating so you can wear stuff over and over again. I took 2 pairs of pants, one pair of long johns, pjs, about 3 shirts, a pull-over and a coat with gloves and hat. HAND WARMERS! I took some of those camping hand warmers. They stay warm all day. I would slip them in my pockets and Asher's as we left the hotel every morning and we loved them (I hate wearing gloves and so did Asher). That took care of the first week or so up north. when we got to Guangzhou we did some laundry. If you have an old coat(s) and won't need them in Guangzhou then leave them in the hotel when you leave the north. You know the cleaning staff can use them or find someone to use them. We went mid-Feb to early March so needed a few short sleeves in GZ. But, I had my undies, socks and jeans from the first week washed for re-wearing. Don't forget your PEPTO! We didn't bother with any power converters this time and just rented one at the hotels.

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  6. Having the same problem. Look forward to meeting in GZ. Your family is beautiful!

    Ashley

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