…We’re standing here outside the door…(with our backs to our comfort zone!)
So the count down has begun. In 3 days we will be on our way to Copenhagen airport with our 12 pieces of luggage in tow (Kim Kardashian would be so proud).
These past weeks have been very busy with preparing Villa Haga (our house) for the renters, packing and shipping all our things to storage or Brazil. We had to pack our suitcases not knowing how we will be living these next couple of months. Most expats in Araraquara have had to stay at the Hotel Morada do Sol (aka Mordor) for a few weeks. The record so far is 92 days, a record I have no wish to beat. We hoped our house would be ready to sign when we arrived but we just found out there have been some legal issues that may necessitate starting a new house search which would mean at least 5 weeks at Mordor. Hence the Kardashionesque mountain of luggage.
So you might ask “WHAT is in those bags!!” as my dad did with an incredulous look on his face. Well, the contents are a combination of many factors which I will now explain;
#1 “I really need these things on a daily basis” like clothes, shoes, toiletries, makeup, swimming things etc.
#2 “Shipping boxes may not contain liquids” so ALL of my shampoos, creams, oils, masks, suncream, contact lens liquids etc ALL had to be packed in flight luggage (I have a beautiful friend, Marina, who supplies me with hair products all the time and I was loath to leave them behind). In the beginning this amounted to a full moving box but I managed to use or give some away.
#3 “Things you will have a hard time finding in Brazil”. During our visit to Brazil last month the other wives told me about the things they miss the most. Oddly enough the items highest on that list are dishwashing detergent and dishwasher tablets! These were followed by Swedish pick’n’mix candy and spices. Apparently you can find spices but they aren’t as potent as ours. Needless to say, parts of our luggage contain these items.
#4 “Boots and flip flops ….” Our transit time is 3 weeks which means we have to live out of our suitcases. This is tricky as we are in the height of blustery Swedish autumn weather and suitcases are packed for tropical 42 degree paradise. So yes, our luggage contains boots and flip flops, bikinis and winter jackets. Some of our foul weather gear we will store at mom and dads to use when we come home but some of it is coming with us as cold, wet weather comes to Brazil as well, …eventually.
#5 “Lost and found” Its funny how things I have lost and missed turn up when I least want them to.
So there you have it. Now I have to find a suitable vehicle to take the four of us and a mountain to the airport.
Remember:
“When in doubt; pack it!”
