Packing List and Travel Suggestions

A big question I have asked and heard asked about in preparing for travel is, "Do you have a packing list?".  Most folks that I know have never left their home for 6+ weeks to go anywhere and especially not to head overseas for that length of time and want to know the experience of those who have gone before them.  I hope the ideas here are helpful.

Most international flights have a baggage limit per ticket.  This is usually no more than two suitcases totaling 50 lbs. for checked baggage plus one carry on and one personal item per person. We used Adoption Airfare to purchase our tickets and because we had humanitarian aid tickets, it allowed us  the option of bringing quite a bit more luggage than that.  I recommend that if you use a travel agency to book your tickets, you ask them about the baggage allowances. You may be pleasantly surprised to know that you have more options than what is the standard.

Most of the suitcases we took to Poland.
 This photo dismissing one big suitcase, one carry on,
the ukelele, and the personal items we took.

We chose not to bring a lot of extra luggage, attempting to pack lightly but bring what we needed for the trip.  We brought one suitcase per person (5 suitcases), a stroller for DD, two carry ons, and one personal item for all five of us.  The personal items were backpacks with some things to do for each of the three kiddos, and we kept them light enough so each child could carry his/her own carry on. Mom and dad did not want to end up carrying all the kids' stuff too. :D  The two carry on items included a change of clothes for everyone in case our luggage did not make it to our destination on time, our camera, laptop, iPad, and some snack items.  

To save on drink costs in the airport, we also included empty water bottles (purchased at Walmart) in the kids' carry ons.  Security will allow you to carry them through, and you can fill them up at a water fountain on the other side.  Drinks are served on all the flights, so this is just convenient if you have children who want something to drink while you wait for your flights.  Food is available on the longest flight (we were fed two meals, and snacks are often available upon request), so the carry on snacks are again just for the waiting time in the airport and to save the cost of snack foods for everyone.  Airport prices are high, so we kept a meal there as something special to have, and then our children were not expecting us to buy something to eat/drink at every connecting airport. It also allowed us to meet their needs without breaking the bank.

One last suggestion before I write the list:  if anyone in your family plays an instrument that can travel with you, bring it.  This might include a guitar or anything easy to carry on the plane.  Mark plays several instruments, and he brought his ukelele.  Music is a universal language and can be a great ice breaker as well as an opportunity to bond with your new child/children.   This idea was actually not mine but was suggested by a fellow adoptive parent (Thank you, Michelle!), and it has been great.

Without further comment, here is a list of what we packed:

• Clothing for a week  for each person including the child(ren) you are going to get (Try to bring things that will dry pretty quickly: you probably won't have a dryer.)
• Shoes - A couple pairs for the adults, to keep it simple, one pair per child
• Toiletries, make-up, face wash, brush, hairspray, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo,etc.
• A few extra towels/washcloths (There were only three in the place we are staying.)
• Ponchos/umbrellas
• Electronics, may include a laptop, iPad, tablet, Kindle, phone, etc. 
• Bibles
• Address book for friends and family back home
• Empty journal to keep track of your days - Even if you do not normally journal, take a little time every day to write in it.  You will be tired or not want to bother, but you will be glad later that you took time for it.
• Paper (notebook), pens
• Hangers 
• Laundry bags
• Heating Pad
• Reusable Shopping Bags - If you forget, they are cheap to buy, but bring some plastic bags from Walmart or Target.  They make great trash bags if you need one.
• Medicine - any prescription meds that are needed regularly, cough drops, Allergy Meds (for children and adults), Anti Diarrhea Meds, Antibiotic Ointment, Tylenol (for children and adults), Dramamine, Antacid, Daytime and Nightime Cold and Cough, Vicks' Vapo Rub, First Aid Kit that includes some bandaids and basic medical supplies (We got ours for about $6 at Walmart.)
• Travel scale to weigh your luggage 
• Vitamins
• Snacks - Gummies, granola bars, peanuts, instant oatmeal, peanut butter (hard to find here!), chocolate chips (hard to find), Crisco (if you use it - not available in most stores), tea, instant coffee,fruit and grain bars, Cheerios, Goldfish, Truvia, Starburst, Skittles, singles to go (flavor add ins for water), etc. Anything quick and easy for you to grab is good. 
• Paper plates, napkins, plastic silverware 
• Diapers/wipes if needed (This is optional.  They are easily available here, and we did not bring them but purchased them here.)
• Flushable Wipes
• Neck Pillows (for the plane ride)
• Clothes Pins, tape, scissors, paper clips, Sharpie
• Basic sewing kit with black and white thread and a needle for small repairs such as buttons
• Play Doh, puzzles, crafts, crayons, coloring books, paper for drawing, pencils, pens,  books (they are heavy, so if you have readers, consider a Kindle or Nook for electronic books), card games, travel games such as Checkers (anything to help keep your children occupied throughout your stay - there is likely to be down time when you need to keep them busy)
• Foster family gifts- We live near the ocean, so we bought salt water taffy and a post card for our in country facilitators.  We got a post card and mug of our area along with salt water taffy that was in a gift bag for the foster family. Gifts do not have to be expensive or elaborate.
• Small backpack and age appropriate toys for the child/children you are going to get
• Spices/seasonings that you use regularly for cooking (salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, cinnamon, basil, garlic pepper, etc.)  You can get some spices here, but having some with you will be helpful for the first few weeks while you are learning the area a bit.
• Zip Lock Bags in various sizes
• Measuring spoons (You don't want to be converting your measurements for everything you want to cook. It is nice to have the familiar measuring spoons around. :-)
• Scraper and dry measuring cups
• Recipes - Bring copies, take photos on your phone, or bookmark online recipes that you use a lot.  Keep it to recipes that have basic ingredients or things that are easily substituted. It will help you with ideas for meals while you are in country. :)  

A few cooking things I wish I had brought:

• Liquid measuring cup
• Meat thermometer
• Timer (if you don't have on on your phone or some other electronic device)
• Spatula (the one here is about 1/3 of the size that I prefer to use)
• Tongs
• Serving Spoons, especially a slotted one

Everyone's list is going to vary based on needs and preferences.  Though we brought several things to do, I think that we could have (maybe should have?) brought more.  I don't think you can bring too much to keep the kiddos occupied, so bring anything you can think of.  Your sanity may depend upon it. :-)

One more idea...

Take photos of all your luggage, a distance shot and a couple of shots that are close up with the brand name visible.  This will be good information to have if your luggage gets lost.

If you have further recommendations, or have already traveled and have a list that others may find helpful, please feel free to share the recommendation/link in the comments section.