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[gemtiger]

I haven't had time to flist much lately, and I'm sorry for that. On the other hand, I have been quite busy getting the new people in the lab up to speed, and worrying about my future in general :P If there's an entry you want me to read, link me, please

Comments

[animus_mentis]

I haven't had time either, no worries! <3

[gemtiger]

Thanks for the tips! I'm going to Lyon, and I should be there for 9 months (hopefully). I'll be doing a research project in a chemistry lab there.

Hahaha, shoes. I'm not totally sure what I should bring. I am bringing a pair of black knee-high riding boots for sure, and my runners (I'll look like a tourist no matter what, being Asian and all... meh).

[animus_mentis]

Oh, pfft, that's right. I've been so out of touch with LJ lately that I didn't even remember where you were going to disappear off to. My bad. :|

If you're spending 9 months there, though, you'll probably figure out where you can buy common things for cheap. You're going to be there for the winter, obvs...I feel like tights would be a good investment as would a good coat. Band Aids too.

[senshicalico]

OMG GET THE VACUUM SEAL BAGS. They make SO MUCH SPACE in your suitcase for other stuff. Just make sure you stay below the weight limit because it's even harder now. =P

[gemtiger]

I figure if I can't lug it, it's above the weight limit. I'm not terribly worried about that going, but coming back might be a different story...

[sunleth]

No worries! Everyone's busy with school and stuff. :3

Packing? Hmm I always have a "bathroom exclusive" bag with toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, hairbrush, contact solution, hairtie/clip, facewash, makeup, etc. I try to pack all-season clothes. Extra t-shirts for sleeping. A couple pairs of shoes--sandals, sneakers, heels, etc. And pain killers. XD That's always handy.

[gemtiger]

Thanks! Your bathroom bag seems very reasonable. If only they didn't have these stupid liquid rules :(

[lusimeles]

pack as light as possible. that's really the best advice i can offer ;)

[lusimeles]

haha, okay, wait, that was probably not very helpful at all. anyways, you'll be in france for quite a long time, and i'm guessing you're checking in a large suitcase instead of taking along a carry-on? anyways, a few more tips

[gemtiger]

No, Chantelle, this is sound advice! I have travelled so little that I'm completely dependent on other people to tell me what to bring XD

I am actually checking two bags: one piece of rolling luggage, and a small to standard size backpacker's bag (I figure that's better for travelling around, if I get the chance.) I know I can always buy stuff, but um... I will be poor once I land in France and don't want to end up broke in another country. XD

[lusimeles]

there's really not much to it, don't worry! even if you forget something, it's always fixable, haha.

and ohh, i see :o the 'buying stuff' is generally a last resort, i should mention it - i think it's because i'm used to travelling for less than a month in one place, or travelling to places where i already have something of a 'home' that i tend to pack really, really light.

come to think of it, this link is fairly helpful, or at least it was for me!

[dustthouart]

Do some serious research into average highs and lows in the area that you're staying in for the entire time you're staying. Don't just assume that you know about how hot or cold it will get. Especially find out what temperatures are like inside apartments/wherever you'll be sleeping--even if there is heat, for example, culturally people may keep it chilly.

I had to buy a lot of pullovers and sweaters in Taiwan because I overestimated how warm it would be inside.

On the other hand I never packed a towel because those things take up so much room. That was always first stop first day: buy toiletries.

[dustthouart]

Oh and packing for an extended trip (you're going for a whole semester?)--basically anything longer than a month--is a totally different animal than packing for a trip. When you're going to live someplace, buying things becomes more economical because you might use up the container of shampoo or whatever while you're there. And, if there's anything that you're planning on getting as a souvenir--for example, if you want very much to get a certain kind of jacket or pants or skirt or whatever--consider that in your plans for how much of each thing to take.

You might also look into expats re: "what can't you get in France"? Certain brands of things or kinds of toiletries etc. In Taiwan I couldn't find anti-perspirant to my liking so I bought some in Hawaii, lol. Creature comforts and little things like that suddenly become EXTREMELY IMPORTANT when you're miles from home. Peanut butter just about saved my bacon in Fuzhou from home sickness.

[gemtiger]

I'm going for 9 months, if things work out, so I'm essentially moving in a suitcase. Or two.

The only things that keep coming up re: stuff to bring are contacts solution, deodorant, and peanut butter. These are either hard to find or super expensive in Europe.

Heh, some residual influence of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy still hangs over me--I almost always pack a towel. For this trip I ended up buying a compact microfibre towel to save space, though.