Packing!
on Margaret Campbell's Rambles (India), 19/Jul/2009 17:36, 34 days ago
There should be a country and western song, or ballad, about packing. Anyone know one? We will rent our house, so every article of our household goods needs to be put into storage before I leave. Let me just say that although the joys of a second marriage are inestimable, the detritus from two full family lives, combined later in life, is also inestimable. Well, not literally. The moving and storage experts estimated our goods at 13,000 pounds. I have only one room left to pack - the kitchen. And my luggage. I did a"test pack" yesterday after I finished cleaning the last closet and the optimism I felt that everything I require would easily fit into a rolling duffle, a backpack and a tote was ill-conceived. I bought a comfy"nap kit" of pillow and blanket that I want for the night flights and it takes up most of my tote. I discovered a lovely bag of corporate give-aways that I could not resist taking along for the village kids. And you really do need multiple packages of rehydration salts and diarrhea meds. I also want to take enough hiking equipment to take at least one excursion to the Himalayas. And, after extensive research, I discovered that winter temperatures in Koraput actually drop close to freezing so warm weather togs are needed to stay cozy. My initial plan was just to pick up a few gauzy salwar kameezes once I arrived. And the most important question of the day - what do women wear to work out in conservative, rural India? Do I have to cover my knees and arms? More weight!