Since all of us will be in the EU for more than three months, we do need Visas. So, more paperwork to submit to the Italian Consulate, which fortunately has a branch in Philadelphia. Had I been more prompt in filling out the forms, I could have submitted them last Friday when the girls and I visited Robin and enjoyed an historic tour of Independence Hall area. We have been diligently sorting and packing and completing packing checklists for things that are better to take, while noting items that are easier to get over there. I spent a fortune at Happy Harry's (regional drugstore) getting vitamins, basic medicines (aspirin, Motrin, topical antiobiotics, Claritin, etc.), first aid kit, sewing kit, tool kit (hey, one never knows!), clothes line, chapstick for Emma, plug adaptors, ziplock baggies (all sizes). Thank goodness for Rick Steves' list! To supplement the list which is meant for travel, I have had to think "What do we need for LIVING there?" -- basic items in the home that we take for granted, until, of course, we need them.
And then the clothes packing. Packing "light," I've decided, is defined by gender. To Tim, it's enough underwear and socks for a week, some shirts, a few pants/shorts, and basic shoes. To Abbey, Emma, and me, it's a year's worth of outfits for three seasons. As our "take" piles grow, we are now contemplating what we will wait to buy over there. "Do I really want to take these boots I bought 4 years ago at Boscov's? Or should I buy a pair of Italian ones in Florence?" Hmmm, no-brainer there; we'll sacrifice the boots to save fuel for British Air and purchase some in Italy. Add in the non-apparel too: Emma's stuffed animals ("Mom, but I can't sleep without Bo, Gigi, puppy . . ."); some reminders of home such as pictures ("No, Abbey, you can't take the frames, just the pictures! And don't sneak in any more pairs of shoes!"); textbooks and schools supplies; laptops (3 of them); cameras; i-pods; portable dvd player and some beloved dvd's, especially for Christmas; etc., etc., etc. I think our suitcases will be full; we might need an overflow bag. Hmmm, maybe that's why Tim has taken to hiding his suitcases!!!
Thank goodness British Air allows for two checked bags at 70 pounds each for every person!
2 comments:
Ay! Don't hate because I actually want to look fashionably, stylishly, tastefully, flawlessly dressed. Hey,I mean can I help it if shoes always look positively ravishing on my feet? And umm about that whole 70lbs thing... yeah thats just not working for me, I mean does the Queen of England have to obey and pack no more then 70lbs? I-don't-think-soooo! These airlines need to step it up and realize who they have the honer of flying.
Yeah, they should feel super honored to be serving a person who can't spell honored...
Post a Comment