Trip preparation

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!