This is not even half of it...It was hard enough packing up three years of my life away in the callroom last December, when all I had to do was throw things in my car and drive them to storage at home.
So how does a sworn pack rat like me figure out what to bring abroad for a year and stay under 20 kilograms?
My friends have suggested not to buy too much and just buy in Aussie when I get there. Unfortunately, quality clothes and shoes are expensive over there; bargain clothes there are not as good as what I can get here for a lot less. So everything I'd saved up for the past few years not buying new apparel unless absolutely necessary, I've completely blown on the still-growing pile of shoes and clothes in my room that I am in total denial about.
Thankfully, I do get additional shipping freebies up to Melbourne of about 20 kgs, so I really have 40 kgs all in all. I will have to pay for the shipping from Melbourne to Perth, so that part must wait until I have cash to spare. Thus, smart packing is in order - and I have to be able to carry with me all my must-haves for at least two months in my suitcase.
Sounds easy? For normal people, maybe. For a perennially pack-heavy traveler pack rat? It's mission impossible.
As ever, procrastination and denial go hand in hand, and I have yet to sort everything out. Finally putting stuff in a suitcase and a box will finally make everything real - and I am really not ready for that yet. But with less than a week to go, I really should get started on this.
I have been living in a cloud of unreality these past three weeks, and the days have zoomed by without my looking. Don't get me wrong, I am going through with this. But to be honest, I still ask myself why I even want to sometimes.
Okay... time to make a checklist and get my ass in gear. It's packing time! To the seasoned and the experienced - tips will be greatly appreciated. I need all the help I can get!
7 comments:
I feel your pain ... meaning I frequently have the same problem. The interesting part though was when I flew to work in the UK for some time, I was over my luggage freebies on both the journey there and the return flight, yet the girls at the check-in dind't charge me for it. :)
oh my dr claire, you're finally leaving for oz! i wish you the best. on shopping for clothes, it's a tad expensive in oz. better buy here in pinas na lang.
Good luck, Dr. Claire! The hard part really is choosing what NOT to bring.
Joey
http://www.joeymd.com
All I can say is Best of Luck and take very good care yourself while you're in Australia. You can do it!
mother, this is it! it is the start of whatever you were dreaming for. i know you will do good in australia. we'll miss you! go defy gravity!
Awww! Good luck on your packing.. you can do it!
Good luck on your adventure to Oz, Dr. Claire. If you go over your quota, you might consider shipping your stuff separately (i.e.: ala Johnny Air Cargo).
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