Knowledge Gleaned: Part 1- Packing
Halfway through month 5. How did that even happen? There are some things we have learned about moving abroad, expat life, and relocating to a very different climate than we came from and we don’t want to forget. We want to jot down the things we’ve learned so far for memory’s sake and help for anyone later. This PART 1 is mostly packing notes. We are amazing packers. I am always prepared. We can pack light for trips and choose few quality items over excess. However it felt like that all was suddenly irrelevant, backfired, or I forgot everything for this big move. So here we go….
Pack light. Lighter than you think. And lighter again. (We tried. We really thought we did well considering we were relocating for an indefinite amount of time and didn’t want to rebuy things we already had. Honestly, looking back we just had reached our downsizing limit and couldn’t make any more decisions.) But so many things don’t stand up in the climate here and we are constantly moving, cleaning, checking for mildew, poop, smell, etc. Decorative anything, waterproofed anything, fabric everything will react to environment entirely different than you can fathum.
LESS IS MORE. Multiples of things is not necessary and is opposite of helpful. We are still learning. *** this all was highlighted when we came down to almost needing to leave the country for at least 6 months in 48 hrs. Repacking suddenly looks different.
Bring those airtight plastic bins. (You know the advice that multiple people gave you and you ignored). There’s a good chance that you won’t be able to find any that keeps items both from ants and humidity. SO GLAD we checked the huge utility bins. They are only items that have avoided mold til this point.
6 months worth of our favorite toiletries, cleaning supplies, and supplements. I have extreme allergies so this was a must for me. This was hard to gauge. Some items I wish I had more of, others less but overall this was a good number to go with. The temp and humidity (97 F, 70-85% humidity inside) really messes with these items so I think more would go bad. We had to start throwing some items in fridge to keep them good. We slowly bought these items leading up to our departure and budgeted them in.
WHAT WE ARE GLAD WE BROUGHT (that we already owned)
Undergarmets and women’s swimsuits (have yet to see the kinds that are comfortable for me … it is after all Brasil so think of those bikini bottoms)
Waterproof dive bag (Not the rubbery, plastic kind as this breaks down in heat humidity but the canvas). Perfect for the beach, water adventures and has honestly been my purse during raining season— ours is old so not fully waterproof but better than other options.
Our favorite running shoes. We live on concrete and tile and walk a lot. We also like to explore and need to keep our bodies happy. You are able to get some name brands here that we are used to but styles are different and they are twice the price.
Extra phone chargers- especially if it’s apple. You will use them constantly and bring with you everywhere * also heat and humidity is the theme. BATTERY PACKS are good too, but seem to drain faster in this climate.
Athletic strappy, quick dry sandals. Mine are Earthrunners and I could not be more pleased. Running for the bus in a downpour? No fear. If they get drenched, they dry quick and have enough grip to not slip.
Bronners Castile Soap (liquid and bars) is not available in country nor can it be imported. Unscented is my go to and helpful when my body is over reacting to every other new product and can just chill.
Essential Oils. These have been a lifesaver for me physically and mentally. Tea tree, lavender, eucalyptus, oregano, cypress and lots of relaxing and purifying blends have been used the most. Eventually I may be able to switch to ordering them here from a reputable source but it will be awhile.
Quick-dry camp towels. These have worked as our beach towels and travel towels. Minimal space, great absorption, dry out FAST.
Baking soda. (we didn’t bring this). It is very hard to find where we are and if you do, it is a tiny plastic pouch.
Reusable ziplock bags. The regular ones we wash and try to preserve but quickly melt and stink and rip in these conditions. Without these, food will be stale in hours.
Feminine Hygiene products: * stop reading if you are a guy* Tampons are not the same outside the US if you find them at all. Some stores carry small packages of the US kind (ie with applicator) but you definitely will not find any organic non-bleach kind. * Guys, I warned you…* Sure, diva cups are an option if you are into that BUT 90% of restrooms have sinks outside of the stalls and a lot of sinks are outside of bathroom area all together. Think shared hand washing sink next to restaurant tables… yup, no thanks.
Natural deodorant or your favorite deodorant. I have been able to find a few options at natural market but none that I like. Fragrance free anything or natural fragrance is EXTREMELY hard to find for anything here. This will most likely be an item we have visitors bring us later. FYI, Dove is a brand we see frequently here but the scent options are different.
Fanny pack. I have used this as my purse if not headed to portuguese lessons or I need to carry large items. Fits my passport, phone charger, cell, and money. I have a small one and a larger one. The smaller one I can tuck up under my shirt to deter purse snatchers and great for hands free at airport, too. Both can be worn as cross-body purse.
* SPECIAL NOTE: Anything that has waterproof or water-resistant layer has disintegrated and sloughed off within first 2 months here. True for North Face, Patagonia, Eagle Creek, and REI brands. This is insane as these products are made for adventuring, have been to this environment before, and have had in our daily use for over a decade with no issues. So yes, that top note about “you can’t fathum..” comes in here.
Phew okay. These things are very specific for where we are but also things I know we’d use anywhere. Reach out with your own tips and tricks or you need help with your own list.
