I feel like I am packing too much, but I am only bringing what I think we will really need. So far we have a medium/large suitcase, a small suitcase that may be considered a carry-on but I am not sure and a medium/large duffel bag. Is that too much? We are bringing a set of sheets, our pillows and a think blanket. I used the space bags so I could make them all compact. That took up the medium/large suitcase. We are each taking two casual outfits that are mix and match and one dress outfit for court. We are also taking clothes to donate to the orphanage. Last, we are taking a few select toys for the baby :-)
We have plenty of children's motrin and baby essentials. I have to pick up some OTC meds for us in case we get sick...which seems to happen to a lot of people who go to Kaz. Oh, yes...and towels. We're only bringing two or three. I am bringing some books and games and a few movies too. Sound about right to all of you who traveled already?
11 comments:
Hi! we traveled to Astana in 2004. Your packing sounds right on. I think you can never pack enough movies ,books, or games! Pretty boring and monotonous after awhile!!! If you are a picky eater you may want to pack the flat packs of tuna, powder soup packs or flat powder mixes of pasta sauces. Best wishes on your travels.
Heather
Congratulations on your upcoming travel. How exciting to know you will soon be holding your son in your arms. Don't stress about packing. Whatever you forget will easily be found in Kaz. Best wishes for a safe trip. I look forward to following your adventures.
~Alli
donohoefamily.blogspot.com
Hi there! I'm so excited for your upcoming trip :) We traveled in September of 05...we didn't bring sheets, pillows, blankets or towels. All were supplied in the Apartment we rented. If they are not supplied by yours, you could pick everything up pretty cheaply in Country, and it would would probably cost less than any overweight luggage fee you would spend bringing them from home. We would suggest packing some tuna and maybe mac and cheese...for those days when you just want comfort food :) Can't wait to read about your adventure!!
Lisa
Hint: Bring TONS of movies. You will run out of things to do. Well, maybe not. I was there the full 6 weeks and the last 3 I was alone...so more movies would have been extremely helpful. I did not pack towels or sheets and the ones in my flat were just fine. I am so excited for you!!!!!!! I can't wait till you get there so I can follow your blog daily. You better write every single day like I did!! Love, Tam
Our apt also had sheets provided, and pillows too, but some people like their own.
We brought Tortilla wrappers because they are small, flat and filling especially for the first couple days when you are not sure when the next meal is coming.
We also had our Dr give us a couple prescriptions for antibiotics, Cipro, for us. It helped with a couple sinus infections; my husband got a bad cold the 1st week after the cold weather and the hot heat in the orphanage.
I also brought some Huggies pre-soaped 'washclothes' for us....since they were not big fans of washclothes in Kaz.
And take about 20 travel packs of tissues for you and the baby.
You are getting lots of good advice and it sounds like you are doing good. One thing that I think might be good compromise would be to buy cheap pillos and sheets at home and take them with you. You will be sure to have them and if you decide you don't want to bother bringing them home you won't have to worry about leaving them. I think it would be nice to take a suitcase with some things in it you won't be bringing home so that you have space to bring home the things you will buy and want to bring home with you. I am going to be buying as suitcase here because I am taking home way more than I am bringing. Though in all fareness we are adoptiong a 6 and 8 year old for whom we brought nothing because we traveled blind and had no idea WHO or what age we'd be adopting, or even for sure how many. SO.......you probably will bring home closer to what you take. But if you take pillow and sheets you aren't attached to you can always leave them and use the space for the way home if you have to!
Sarah
p.s. I sure wish I had brought some mac and cheese!! LOL Though we did manage to make some decent from scratch here. If you stay for one long trip, you'll get resourceful! :)
I don't know about Kaz, but not many people that I've met in our region of Russia use a vacume cleaner.
What if you just pack linens you can leave there? That way you won't have to bring them back. Just a packing thought. I took lots of "disposable" items like that (washcloths,etc).
Another note: for easier packing of comfort foods, take them out of their box and pour them in a baggie and cut the instructions off and put in the baggie. Much more squishable in the luggage.
Hi again!
Tam is right...movies, movies, movies! Friends of ours brought the first 3 seasons of 24 with them on DVD and were so glad they did! Also, books (I read the 6 I brought in about 2.5 weeks) and if you are a knitter, lots of yarn, patterns and needles. Other things we brought, and were so glad we did, were a cribbage board, dominoes, cards and a couple of child development books...we could compare where our son was to what was "developmentally appropriate" and work with him on the areas where he was behind. I'm sure that I will think of more!
Lisa
don't forget to bring some peanut butter, i also brought some foaming hand soap from Bath and Body works, it felt like such a luxury. I also brought along clorox wipes and a few bags of raman in case we could not get to a grocery store asap!!
i can't wait til you're on your way!!
take care
nell mccaffery!!
I'll third on the MOVIES and sinus medication. We brough 4 seasons of '24' and just about got through them all...and I'm not even a big movie person. You'll find just about everything you need at ol' Daniels Supermarket! Oh! I really do miss Ust!
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