Packing.
Another country, another culture, another climate.
I have to admit, packing is not one of my favourite past times, forward planning, colour combinations, sorting out the items which have comfortability practicality and style (style is not always comfortable or practical!) and don't even talk to me about the weight limit. 20 kg, what do they expect, everything we wear is made of rice paper?
But finally, today I've got the hang of it. I have found the secret for packing for an exchange! I've checked the temperatures, and I've seen a few pics of the latest trends and fashions in China for girls my age (unfortunately nothing in my wardrobe fits into that category) and I have thrown out the last item that was "cute but probably wouldn't wear it that much in China." And I can confirm that the mighty pack is complete.
What's the secret?
The secret is, the stuff that you think is cool now in New Zealand is probably not as cool as you think it is in your host country, you're going into a different culture and that also means the have different fashion and styles. So the secret is; the more stuff you take over, the more stuff you are either going to have to leave over there or the more stuff you aren't going to be able to bring back because your suitcase will be full of awesome new things, so in essence the secret is "pack light."
The trends in China are so completely different to what we have over here and I can't even comprehend the climate and what's appropriate so I've adopted a new philosophy "When in Rome." Luckily enough, the clothes in China won't cost me an arm and a leg so I can actually afford my new philosophy, which is a great help. So my plan is to pack as little as possible in terms of clothes and plan for a bulging suitcase on my return to New Zealand.
However, some aspects of my suitcase I have packed to excess. Such as, the first aid department, Antiflam, Betadine, Neurophen, Women Supplies, Toothpaste, etc are all there in abundance. I don't mind wearing the same outfit twice as long as I can brush my teeth with minty whitening goodness as opposed to green tea flavour. And yes I have tried green tea flavour before so I do know what I am definitely not going to be missing.
Also Shoes. My shoe size is almost impossible to find in China, so I have packed a good 5 pairs of shoes.
And that is that. c'est fini!
I suppose you can expect to hear from me when I'm over there and I'm having to choose which of my 5 pairs of shoes are worthy of the trip home and which get to spend the rest of their life in Communist China, but for now I have the comfortability of knowing that I have the right shoes in the right size for every occasion!
