Well, it is time to go through all the stuff we think we want to take to Changzhou and see what room is left for “Extras” or to find out how much of the stuff has to be left behind. This is the hardest part of the whole process.
I have to tell you that there is a major difference between men and women when it comes to the amount of stuff one needs to take to live for a year in a different country. But, in all fairness, I am not showing the other stuff such as my electronics, cords and books which add significantly more weight than three times as many clothes.
Oops, I forgot about shoes – the scales tilt again. After all, a woman needs to have shoes to match the different outfits and colours, doesn’t she? In the end, it comes out equal. And, incidentally, everything fits with room for a few more items. Now, what other books do I want to take?
Packing well is important. If you are a woman who is into photography, there is additional difficulty! I had to send back 20kgs by post so I could escape overweight luggage fees!
I also packed some spices and flavourings from home to add to my noodles and rice, or soups and salads that I make when I don’t want to leave home to eat in the many, many restaurants five minutes walk away. Things that reminded me of eating with my family and friends, or shopping with them and exclaiming over all of the things that had appeared on the shelves since last time I went shopping in my home country.
Thanks, Lotus, for adding to the rationale that one must use as one prepares for an extended stay away from one’s home country.