I got crazy a few weeks ago and bought some of the above. Let's play a little game . . . identify the "essentials" we have purchased and inherited so far.We received the books from a student of a colleague who actually lived in Almaty for a while. The Kazakhstan connections don't end there. Another of Scott's colleagues has a friend who teaches at a university in Kazakhstan. And, finally, we have another friend who wrote a book about Kazakhstan. Coincidences? I think not.
Okay - so what have we purchased? How are we doing? Okay, stop laughing. What else do you think we need to take with us to meet our little miracle?
14 comments:
You need some clothes, some stacking cups, some gifts, some way important documents. I have tons of stuff, but no semblance of order. If I were to put it on all in a suitcase, it would not all fit. :)
Crazy Kaz coincidences...NOT!
Just another sign that Saskia, your miracle awaits. :)
Your own pillows!!! I had to buy some there because I could not take it! Vaseline and calamine lotion for your little miracle!
Now that we're here in Kazakhstan I'm amazed by how much we didn't need! (Just one example: lots of people say there's no coffee to be found. Lots of coffee here--you can even buy beans to grind.)
But the language books--good idea. I do wish we'd prepared more w/ the language before we left!
Good idea also on getting started early, though. We waited a little longer than we should have an it was stressful!
Matt and Suzanne said duct tape, so file that away. Also, I read that someone recommended a portable shower heater...like what you would take camping. Apparently hot water is a commodity. Other than that, I am going to refer to your fantastic lists for all of my future planning.
I have read so much from blogs and have lists galore and all kinds of ideas however am not even close on having anything in place or any assemblance of putting anything really in motion, just keep picking up stuff as I go along - mostly kids toys, books and such but in no type of order - I am slacking because I am a planner and I am so not ready at all. However the one item that is on my list is a big, big bag of balloons - Matt & Suz said they were a big hit so I'm hoping to get that lucky and that's all it takes to entertain some little ones over a period of time - this is on top of my list of the one very important thing to bring - yeah let's see how I do with that & hope I'm that lucky!?
Darlene
Angela,
I will have to e-mail you our ideas...too many to post here :)
You have Kaz connections!!! That's great!
Eileen
Okay:
-pillows
-calamine lotion
-vaseline
-duct tape
-shower heater
-balloons & other toys
-clothes (3 outfits)
-gifts
-more paper
I can do that. This is actually motivating me to do something. We do have this GREAT list that Jennifer M shared. I will refer to that for sure. But, this is a good way to get started . . . baby steps! Thanks!
Anyone else?
Snacks. We drove an hour and a half to the baby house each day and were so glad we brought cereal bars, nuts, and trail mix with us. We also spent a lot of time walking around the city and were glad to have snacks with us. The Central Asia guide is a must. Glad you have it.
A photo album for your child of your house and family. We took pictures of everyone and the house with a stuffed duck in all the pictures. Then we brought the duck with us to Kaz. Serik could see the duck in all the pictures with his new family. He still enjoys looking at his album.A computer and DVDs. The Tv does not have many English channels and trust me you will be tired and want to chill out and watch a movie to get your mind off all the stress.
Hmmm.... It's been almost a year (wow!) and the one thing that sticks out in my mind still is Ziplock bags! LOTS and LOTS of them! If we were to go back for any reason, as long as I have passports, money, laptop (with a working modem!!), camera, video camera, and ziplock bags, we're good to go! :-)
Love the Kaz connections!
As for the list, I can't help you with that but it seems like you have a lot of friends who can!
Glad to see you're thinking of the list...hoping this means there's a bit of "maybe, just maybe" in you. I know that as I got closer with my pg w/ Joey, I started to feel that way. However, in my pg with Laura, I felt the opposite, so who knows.
Can opener, one of those thin flexible cutting mats, a serrated knife, bug spray, thongs/slippers, and about 4 million other things.
Oh boy, have I got to stop reading everyone's comments on what you have to bring! My guest room is loaded with the "must haves" already. More than will fit in the suitcase (traveling solo is very limiting) and not one stitch of clothing yet.
Since I'm going out of town this weekend and my coordinator insists I take my visa app with me, just in case, I should have this packing thing done already. Aaaacckk!
Truly, in the end, I think the basics (toiletries and clothes) and a few fun things are probably all you really have to have. Good luck!
A good vegetable pealer. Plenty of plastic grocery bags (if you're staying in an apartment) because you're not supposed to flush TP down the toilet. A Leatherman came in handy. Ziplock bags. Sink stoppers (various sized just in case.) Flashlight and spare batteries. And last but not least, a good sense of humor.
I guess I need to start making a packing list.... Wanna email me the one you have. Maybe that will give me a starting place. I have no clue. I do not even know when to start working on gathering things... You all need to help me!!!
I am baffled by what all to get ready also and traveling solo limits your capacity for "stuff" so any ideas you get would be greatly appreciated if you pass them along.
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