We're thinking about packing and find ourselves being pulled in both directions. On the one hand, we need to pack EVERYTHING so as to be prepared for any and all contingencies. On the other hand, we (I) don't want to have to carry 145 pounds worth of luggage on our "round the world adventure with a 2 year old".
I am reminded that on our first trip, our luggage never showed up. BUT we did have our carry-on's with us. Katie, of course, packed smart things like a change of clothes, toothbrush, etc. I, being even smarter, brought a guitar. Yes, you read that correctly. I said a guitar. A great big stupid guitar that I carried all the way to Siberia and back and never played once.
I don't know what in world I was thinking. Without really understanding much of anything, I guess I had this vision of singing to the children and the whole orphanage magically lighting up. Children and caretakers a like would emerge from various rooms and all begin singing and dancing together. Soon, I envisioned the rest of "the band" coming into the room and before you know it, the whole world would be tranformed into a big jubille of happiness.
See below for a good example of what I'm talking about.
Oops! - I got distracted here.
This is my question: What is the ONE THING that you found most important to pack? We welcome your comments. (After watching this, I'm thinking steel drums may be the way to go)
11 comments:
One thing is, we all need more days like THAT ONE! Nobody hardly ever breaks into spontaneous song and dance in this world anymore and it's a shame. Song and Dancefests like that have been bringing people all around the world great happiness ever since the Fiddler climbed up on the roof! .... Anyway, bring Ranch dressing and extra Ziploc bags. You can't get either over there and we missed both very much. We also brought a log of summer sausage which was nice because in a months time you are going to want red meat sooner or later and we had some funky red meat while there on trip one so we brought the ss as a 'get you by' alternative on trip two. It was a delicacy. Bring LOTs of Dvd's! We bought season sets of some favorite oldie shows. We packed them in a sippered carrying case. More compact and secure. We also brought antibiotic and a yeast pill for me. We ended up using both of these when we came down with a strep type thing. I'll comment again if I think of anything else.
Congratulations. I'm so excited for you. I cannot wait until you are on a plane taking off for Russia. I know this visit and court hearing has been a long time coming. I'm just so thankful for your faith and courage as you have been a true blessing for all of us going through our own adoption waits.
Loved the comment too on bringing your guitar. I just laughed as it is funny some of the items you think you will need and never use. We used laundry detergent (tiny All bottles bought at WalMart) and dryer sheets (which also make your clothes smell good in your suitcases. I would take a small pair of scissors (tags/etc.) and fingernail clippers. I cannot think of anything else at this time you won't think of bringing. If I do, I'll write again later.
We loved our umbrella stroller. We tried to walk around as much as possible and could never have done it without the stroller. The stroller was also entertainment for inside the apartment. Next time we go we will make sure to bring some DVDs. We didn't realize how much downtime we would have in Moscow.
Hey guys, I have a list of things that we took in our blog.
Now, the two things we wished we had taken are bubbles and balloons. Nick loves both, provide hours of entertainment, and pack so easy! Those would have been convenient to have during our down time at the hotel.
By the way, row 23 is the exit row in the Tupolev. In case you want a little more leg room. We got to sit there on the way over and it sure was nice. Our facilitator in Moscow asked for it when he helped us check in at the S7 counter.
What we didn't bring... a back-up battery for the laptop. When hanging out at coffee shops with wireless, we often had to leave "early" because our battery ran out. Power outlets are sometimes hard to find, and in our region... the one place with wireless and an outlet wouldn't let us plug in!
As for packing, I took someone else's advice and divided everything we were taking in two so if one suitcase was lost we had some of everything in the other.
I also "compartmentalized" our packing once we got there into shoeboxes... a shoebox of snacks; a shoebox of medicines; a shoebox of toys; etc. That made finding things easier.
Ziploc bags - all sizes.
Clothes (and socks) to lounge around in at the hotel so you don't have to wear your day clothes as much. (I also wore thick tights & t-shirts under my clothes which made them last longer. I decided to pack "European" and wear things 3-5times before washing.)
Next time (hmmm...) I'd probably bring less food because we already had somewhere to eat, and there were always places to get snacks (and we aren't picky & like to try new things).
My work Blackberry was awesome for keeping in touch when we didn't have wireless access (we didn't do a phone / phonecard).
psh, don't take the guitar or the steel drums for that matter. take a bright blue dress like giselle is wearing. i guarantee you'll leave a lasting impression.
haha.
OK you made me laugh so hard. I can't believe we are not traveling with you - I could totally break into song at any given time.
I sadly have no advice. As I am currently trying to pack I find myself lost. IT is like adoption packers block. Scary since we leave Saturday. The list on Russian Adoption Chronicles is great. We are taking fewer clothes this time and less food. I am also planning on buying diapers in Russia. For Sam I am taking several books, small toys, and bubbles. If I think of anything when I actually start packing I will let you know.
Do I sense a new project? Perhaps a Russian musical??? :-)
(Sorry, no packing advice.)
Oh my goodness! A guitar??!! I am laughing so hard right now. Have I mentioned how much I enjoy visiting your blog? After everything you've been through you still have this amazing sense of humor and I love it!
We stayed in apartments for trip 1 and would have been totally lost without the ethernet cable we brought for internet access. Neither cable in our 2 apartments worked. We also brought the small bottles of All detergent that Carey mentioned in her comment.
Don't forget your cord for the camera so you can download pictures to send home for your other children to see while you are gone! That was the one thing we forgot that we REALLY wished for! HOWEVER, we got fortunate . . . our Russian friends had a camera just like ours (Kodak--YAY!!!) and loaned us a cord so we could download pictures!
We also wished we'd bought a small roll of bubble wrap (it was non-existant virtually in Khabarovsk evidently) for packing small fragile souvenirs to go home, AND play dough--our Dd was 5 and we could sure have used some to keep her happy! Couldn't find any in Khab for love or for money!!! Also, if I was adopting again, I'd take an inflatable beach ball to blow up and play with in the apartment . . . hotel . . . then it could pack flat in the suitcase to go home!
The rest of the stuff we needed we either did without, or managed to find over there. So much depends on regions etc. but in ours there were plenty of diapers and such (we had to buy for our bio 3 month old who traveled with us, of course!)
Can I tell ALL of you how much I have enjoyed this post? As someone who has never gone beyond Canada and Mexico, it is a joy to read of your adventures. Zip lock bags seem right up there as a must. I think the main thing nobody talks about is just plain love. You carry tht with you in abundance. You are amazing families and these children are blessed beyond your dreams. On a different note, Ryan, forget the guitar. Zac will love you no matter what.
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