Friday, August 04, 2006
1st Draft Packing List
Suzanne, Debbie and Jennefer have inspired me to start my packing list for trip one. Here's my first attempt that I penciled this morning. I expect we'll be traveling sometime this coming winter.
- Prilosec, Maalox, Advil, Tylenol, digestive enzymes (can you tell I have trouble with my stomach?)
- Food (fruit leathers, granola bars, jerky, energy bars)
- Snacks for baby
- Stuffed animal for baby
- Some small toys
- Disposable camera to leave with caregivers
- Camera, Video-camera, chargers
- Laptop computer (DVDs, headphones)
- AC converter/adapter
- money belt
- Russian language phrase booklet (Berlitz?)
- photos of family, house, town
- List of questions for caregivers
- paperwork
- contacts at home
- international phone (or card)
- clothes for 2-3 days
- boots
- hat
- coat
- shopping list (for souvenirs and keepsakes)
- orphanage donations (??)
- Santa Cruz gifts (??)
- book, booklight
- pajamas
- toiletries
oh yeah, and
- brand new cash
I know that I'm forgetting some things. It's okay, this is just a first draft.
I have a few questions for you experienced travelers.
1) Did you take a laptop computer? Did you need it? Did you use a converter to recharge the battery?
2) What type of AC converter did you use? I saw one at Brookstone for around $30 that said it could be used in Russia but I wanted to hear firsthand what you used and liked or disliked.
3) Did you bring any gifts for the first trip? What about orphanage donations? Or are these for the second trip?
Thanks for your help!
- Prilosec, Maalox, Advil, Tylenol, digestive enzymes (can you tell I have trouble with my stomach?)
- Food (fruit leathers, granola bars, jerky, energy bars)
- Snacks for baby
- Stuffed animal for baby
- Some small toys
- Disposable camera to leave with caregivers
- Camera, Video-camera, chargers
- Laptop computer (DVDs, headphones)
- AC converter/adapter
- money belt
- Russian language phrase booklet (Berlitz?)
- photos of family, house, town
- List of questions for caregivers
- paperwork
- contacts at home
- international phone (or card)
- clothes for 2-3 days
- boots
- hat
- coat
- shopping list (for souvenirs and keepsakes)
- orphanage donations (??)
- Santa Cruz gifts (??)
- book, booklight
- pajamas
- toiletries
oh yeah, and
- brand new cash
I know that I'm forgetting some things. It's okay, this is just a first draft.
I have a few questions for you experienced travelers.
1) Did you take a laptop computer? Did you need it? Did you use a converter to recharge the battery?
2) What type of AC converter did you use? I saw one at Brookstone for around $30 that said it could be used in Russia but I wanted to hear firsthand what you used and liked or disliked.
3) Did you bring any gifts for the first trip? What about orphanage donations? Or are these for the second trip?
Thanks for your help!
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6 comments:
My converter can be used in various countries I need to check if Russia is one of them. It was around $30 in Brookstones. It works great.
I plan on taking our laptop at least on the first trip. We can watch movies on it and I can also journal with it as well. Second trip not sure about since we will have a lot more baby stuff coming home.
We bought our converter/adapter at Target. I'll send you the instructions on how to use them (complete with photos.)
We didn't bring a laptop for the first trip. Our hotel had (dial-up) internet access and there was an internet cafe in town. We did take it on the second trip, but only used it to watch movies in Russia. We did use it as a computer in Korea though (refer to posts from San Fran and Korea)
Check with your agency on the ettiquite for gifts on the first trip. We were instructed not to bring any. If you are staying with a host family take something from your hometown for them, but as for the orphanage workers and such I would say not on the first trip. The custom is if someone is providing you a "service" they don't want a gift until after they have provided the service. (ie. translators) We did take gifts on our second trip for our translator, facillitator and driver, but this is because they had done something for us before. We did however take gifts on the first trip for some friends of ours that live in our son's town. (confusing? yeah)
Take orphanage donations on your first trip. On the second trip don't go empty handed, but like us, we won't go that often the second time. (we get Pickle for the 10 day) You can buy diapers, fruit or other things in your region. Cuts down on packing weight too.
Sorry so long. I have lots of info on this particular subject.
Yes, take the converter! Very important. We didn't take a laptop. I won't repeat everything Elle said, hers comment has great advice. However, I will add Purell to that list. You'll want it when you're in restrooms with NO sinks or newspapers for TP. Also, our orphanage didn't like for us to feed the children. But, bring lots of toys. They'll really help with the bonding.
We brought orphanage donations on the first trip. We gave diapers, vitamins, baby wipes, diaper cream, and baby shampoo in bulk (Costco). We threw a few small toys in as well. They asked us to bring back some medical supplies on our next trip b/c B works in the medical field. We flew everything over. We took one large suitcase with nothing but donations. When we dropped it off, they asked if they could keep the suitcase for storage. So, we left that too.
1) Did you take a laptop computer? Did you need it? Did you use a converter to recharge the battery?
We did not take one the first time. We bought one (a notebook!) to take the second time. Yes, you need a converter.
2) What type of AC converter did you use?
Elle will send you lovely pictures that will explain exactly what you need. She made the pictures back when she was trying to explain it to me. Apparently I am a bit dense.
3) Did you bring any gifts for the first trip? What about orphanage donations? Or are these for the second trip?
On the first trip, we brought generic donations to the orphange (clothes, shoes, toothpaste, baidaids. stuff that wears out and gets used up). It was a duffle bags'worth which we rolled up and took home with us to refill. We'll leave it there next time.
We also brought gift bags for each child in the group. I think I have posted on how awed the children were by this. We also asked the director, when we met her, what the orphanage needed. She gave us a useful list and we went shopping. No gifts to individuals on the first trip.
For the upcoming trip I have more of what was on the directors wishlist for the orphanage, plus cash for buying school supplies as school starts so soon. For the caregivers etc. I have some personal gifts as well as for our driver and translator etc.
Add to your list: EARPLUGS and EYEMASK. If your hotel is above a disco and next to the security lights, you'll be so glad to have these.
I am always happy to inspire others to write lists.
We brought our lap top to Russia because M needed to do work on it. We were able to recharge the battery with the converter overnight. We also tried to watch a movie on it, but this overheated our converter/adapter and it blew up inside. So we have to buy a new adapter now. Our computer wasn't damaged. I don't know what we used. I can't remember and we threw it away. It was good in that you could put it on high for things like hairdryers and low for the laptop and other electronics. We brought donations and gifts, but only gave the donations. We were told to wait for the second trip for the gifts. It was good to have them though- just in case.
Alarm Clock and Flashlight saved us. No clocks in one hotel, and the flashlight was great for those middle of the night luggage searches. :)
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