The Joy of Packing
Or at least sorting. We actually don't have to pack or unpack, which is lovely, but there's still plenty to do.
After many plans, I think we've settled on this. We'll fly over on June 19 with four of the largest suitcases allowed. Most of our stuff will arrive in Germany via steamship in 35-55 days -- but we won't be able to get it at that time, since we were forced by the formidable German bureaucracy to rent a temporary place for six months rather than the 2-3 we were hoping for. For that reason, we're adding an air shipment (size 62 cubic feet, weight not to exceed 500 lb), which we'll get in 1-2 weeks. The cost is considerable, but there are things we'll need that won't fit in suitcases, so there you have it. Now we begin the lists: what goes in the suitcases? What goes in the air shipment? What can we do without for the next six months?
So, put yourselves in our places: what would you have to have in your suitcase? What would you put in the air shipment? Part of this is curiosity, but part of it is crowd-sourcing my brain so I make good lists. Thanks for your help!
After many plans, I think we've settled on this. We'll fly over on June 19 with four of the largest suitcases allowed. Most of our stuff will arrive in Germany via steamship in 35-55 days -- but we won't be able to get it at that time, since we were forced by the formidable German bureaucracy to rent a temporary place for six months rather than the 2-3 we were hoping for. For that reason, we're adding an air shipment (size 62 cubic feet, weight not to exceed 500 lb), which we'll get in 1-2 weeks. The cost is considerable, but there are things we'll need that won't fit in suitcases, so there you have it. Now we begin the lists: what goes in the suitcases? What goes in the air shipment? What can we do without for the next six months?
So, put yourselves in our places: what would you have to have in your suitcase? What would you put in the air shipment? Part of this is curiosity, but part of it is crowd-sourcing my brain so I make good lists. Thanks for your help!
Medicine, documents, and clothes/shoes that can be rearranged to make different looks, and require washing every 7-10 days in suitcases. Check to see what benefits you might have regarding delayed luggage via your credit cards or anything else. Jacket, small umbrella, toiletries to get you through a couple of days. Plan to find the local store and discover new brands of toothpaste right away. I would pack a small first aid kit, since it's small and you don't want to rush out to buy a bandaid. But, there's always one in my suitcase anyhow.
ReplyDeleteWith a furnished apartment, you don't need anything (really) to sleep on, sit on, cook with, etc. It could be sparse, but it'll work. I would still bring the water bottle I carry daily and since I like good knives, i'd pack my chef's knife, unless the airline won't allow that. I'd personally probably bring a few comfort items like my favorite blanket, and I might take a few purely sentimental items, like a framed photo. Space bags that you can suck out with a vacuum would let you pack blankets or jackets in a suitcase, though they can let you cram more in a suitcase than the weight restrictions allow.
I would bring a pocket English/German dictionary in case I can't get one there and have phone trouble. Likewise, I might look for a laminated English language map of the area.
I would want to pack my good camera and some hobby items that aren't easily purchased, but that would be minimal (about what I usually take in my carry on). I'd count on finding enough to do exploring the city without needing to entertain myself too much. Then, i would be overjoyed when my boxes arrived.
Since the voltage is different, no need for most things that plug in, I suppose. A good sun hat, an extra tote bag, and a handful of safety pins are always nice to have. A little bit of duct tape wrapped around a pen has saved me a few times, too.
1. You comments are longer than her post. That is a "thank you!", not a criticism. :)
Delete2. The one thing I will point out is that Google Maps will let you download areas offline so you don't need any kind of connection to use it. I have already done this with a large area around Munich.
I have little to do besides sit, so I can type a lot. :)
DeleteI would have at least the basic map on paper in case your phone takes a bath (or gets dropped outside a museum on a college campus while nowhere near home-- this advice might be hard earned). Ditto for your flight info and the most essential phone numbers.
Electrical appliances are out unless they're important enough to you that you're willing to invest in the necessary adapter/step-down-transformer to run them. It would likely be less expensive to just buy replacements after you get there. In your place I'd look for a thrift store after I got there but I'm "frugal" like that. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting, Don! We did get one transformer -- for all our entertainment stuff (TV, stereo/receiver, etc.). That's the only one that made sense for us. We didn't think a TV would work, even with a transformer, but my sister and BIL had a few transformers when they lived here for two years.
DeleteFun fact: the transformer works in both directions! When my sister and BIL went back to the States, they brought back a super-fancy coffee machine -- Italian, I think? Those people are serious about coffee! So they now use one of their transformers to power their coffee maker.