And in my suitcase to return home I packed.

[phets72]

The time has come to look at the incredibly huge amount of things that I've collected over the past school year and either chuck or put into a box to mail home.

For those of you who have done this, baring in mind I'm going home to Australia and I'm not heading this way again, what are some things I should remember to take home to show the fam and mates or things you have here you can't do without?

I already have a huge collection of pics and paper cranes and note books signed 'happy everyday'.

Thanks Steph

[Lotus Eater]

What says 'China" most to you?

Things I'm not going to be able to do without now include my masseur, my ayi, my tailor, the FAO fixing things immediately and buying me tickets, my teashop laobans, the fabric markets ....

I would have to take my paintings, terracotta warriors, some of the electronic stuff, all my computer related stuff, silk doona, books (OMG), my turtle collection, my Guanyin collection, jewellery, DVDs and CDs, and my tea paraphenalia home.

But then once there I would need to find a way bigger home to fit all that stuff, plus all the dongxi currently in storage.

[George61]

Take home what matters to you! Don't worry about friends, etc. They usually only have a fleeting interest.

[Escaped Lunatic]

Electric wenzi swatters - a MUST have item!

>But then once there I would need to find a way bigger home to fit all that stuff, plus all the dongxi currently in storage.

You mean you don't already own a 40' cargo container? I thought it was mandatory equipment.



"I never think of the future - it comes soon enough."
- Albert Einstein


P.S. Here's a suggestion about what NOT to pack:

Manila stops real version of "Snakes on a Plane"
Wed Nov 22, 7:27 AM ET

MANILA (Reuters) - Manila airport officials prevented a real life version of horror flick "Snakes on a Plane" this week when they stopped more than 130 reptiles, including poisonous cobras, from boarding a flight to Bangkok.

Dozens of lizards, wearing diapers to conceal the stench of their urine, and 60 snakes concealed in water bottles, were discovered Tuesday inside two suitcases belonging to a Filipino woman, airport officials said.

Security officers noticed something moving when her luggage was being x-rayed. One of the nappy-clad lizards reportedly died due to heat.

Believed to be effective aphrodisiacs and good-luck charms, reptiles, amphibians and other exotic animals have become a popular delicacy and ornament in many parts of Asia.

Last week, Manila airport authorities arrested a Filipino man trying to smuggle three live Siamese crocodiles from Cambodia.

[kzel81]

At the moment I'm trying to work out what to bring over with me, and don't even want to think about how difficult the process is going to be on the way back.

Perhaps the best advice would be to take home with you the memento's that are going to remind you of the good aspects of your time in China, things that will make you smile fondly when you look at it.

[Eagle's Nest]

Of all the things that I will take home, it will be my photos which have already pushed into the thousands in only three months. I am not a thing person (well other than my electronic thingies and camera). Just a few souvenirs like tourist plates to go on the wall with all the other tourist plates in our Canadian home. We have a full home and we will be moving on to teach in more countries to collect even more photos and plates. Most important to us will be the friendships and memories we make through our day-to-day living. I doubt we will ship anything back to Canada that doesn't fit in our two bags of luggage per person.

[Crippler]

With a bit of luck, Nothing, as I plan on retiring here. But if that didn't work out, pictures on the comp would be the only things I really treasure as well as the e-mail addies of the friends I have made.

[Jollyjunklass]

Eagles Nest,

I am interested in where else you will be going to teach.

Phets, this is a good question to me. Sometimes i feel it will be impossible to go home becuase there are aso many things I don't want to give up. actually the same feeling I had when I came here a year and a half ago. I am actually the one who started this thread. I am not materialistic, but I am sentimental and always have a hard time with leaving things behind. Lotus your collection sounds a lot like mine. Actually, in the beginning I tried to collect light things with the thoughts of going home in mind, but I now have furniture and poo I can't see leaving the furniture behind, but I can't see giving up the beautiful teacups, dishwear, silk goods, art work and many other things.

I say, take home the stuff that you will never be able to find in your country. There are many things here, that I know I won't be able to pusrchase in Canada, nor will I be able to find them again.

[con's fly is open]

Clothes- just the ones you actually wear. The very Chinese stuff. Electronic stuff.

Otherwise, just pitch the crap. You can buy it back home, probably for cheaper than the cost of hauling it across the ocean, certainly for less effort. Material possessions end up owning you. Break the tyranny!

[Ruth]

crippler said:

With a bit of luck, Nothing, as I plan on retiring here. But if that didn't work out, pictures on the comp would be the only things I really treasure as well as the e-mail addies of the friends I have made.

Puh-lease. This from Mr. Must-have-new-gadgets himself. And he posted that while surrounded by cardboard boxes of STUFF that we've managed to accumulate in just three short years. It isn't all MY stuff, either...

I'm so tired of packing, but best get back to it.

[phets72]

Ruth you are so funny.....

I'm very attracted to Eagles suggestion. When I came to China the stuff I had was a nightmare, boxes of crap that I decided in my madness had to be sorted correctly as I was throwing out alot of paper I had stored because of Art school. Trying to be environmentally consciencious...in the end I was so stressed I should have just got a huge truck thrown everything in it and taken it to the dump and dumped it.

Steph

[Ruth]

You should have seen the mound at the curb as we were clearing out our house in Florida - just over 3 years ago. After three weekends of garage sales we had a truck from a charity organization come and get the rest. But there was still a huge pile on garbage day.

[Newbs]

phets on a related matter, go down to your friendly local China Post ofice and arrange to have stuff shipped home in the 20kg boxes they sell. Pretty damn cheap rates, but I can't remember how much exactly it cost. They say it takes up to 3 months, but most Hoganlanders who have used this find its only about 6 weeks.

[mich]

Regarding packing when coming to china...here's my suggestion....

Lay everything you think you'll need on your bed....
okay? you've done that?
...now halve it....seriously.

Bring a few pairs of jeans a few pairs of slacks, and tops that go with everything.

Bring a comfy pair of shoes, ie runners. and a pair of boots.

You will find everything else here. You may have to hunt for them, you may have to get them tailor made. But it's dirt cheap.

I'm pretty ruthless when it comes to throwing things out. Be honest with yourself. Are you really going to wear it again.

I generally hold an item up and look at it. If I hesitate when I say, 'do I need this?' ...our it goes.

Ship home most things if you can. If you're not in a hurry to have them at home, send them by ship, it's not necessary to pay the extra for airmail.

Ask around, see if any teachers, friends or students need any clothing or what not. At least you know they're not going to waste. Most of my things are in pretty good condition, I've asked one of the teachers here who is my size if she wants them. She's more than happy to take them.

As far as bringing things home for people. I'm trying not to get carried away. Go out and search for things for loved ones, who you know will appreciate it.

For everyone else. (neighbours, bosses, workmates, extended family, etc) I've picked up tiny things like, bookmarks, coasters, those hangy things that you see on all the cars, tiny little silk purses, etc. I've pretty much brought them all from the one bloke at a market. it's a lot cheaper that way if you bargain hard.

[Stil]

Hmmm if I were leaving now all I would take home are my laptop, dvd player that plays everything, a couple boatloads of dvds, a crate of green tea toothpaste and a couple of the girls. Oh and socks, they just don't have socks in Canada like they have here.

[Jollyjunklass]

Stil,

Are you still in Hunan? And please tell me you are joking about the sox. I found no such suckssox in Hunan! Canadian sox rock

[Stil]

Yeah Jolly, stil in Hunan. It's true about the socks. Sure you can find thick, warm, comfortable socks anywhere in Canada but you just can't find the thin, uncomfortable, ugly, short hose type socks for men that theyy have in China anywhere. I'll give them as gifts.

[phets72]

Cheers salooners! What would I do without you? Thanks hugely for the tips

phets72

[Newbs]

stil said:

you just can't find the thin, uncomfortable, ugly, short hose type socks for men that theyy have in China anywhere. I'll give them as gifts.

The gift idea is a good one Stil, go with it. But make sure you tell all your canuck mates that they must roll up their trousers, in order to show off their hose to best effect.

[Stil]

[quote author=newbs board=pubgen thread=1164273534 post=1164613199 The gift idea is a good one Stil, go with it. But make sure you tell all your canuck mates that they must roll up their trousers, in order to show off their hose to best effect.[/quote]

Thanks for the reminder Newbs. Only roll up one trouser leg for the truly hip as well as the shirt above the belly. I'll give out a couple bottles of baijiu and it will all come naturally. My friends are truly going to be thrilled with their gift.

[Lotus Eater]

Actually - fill your bag with baijiu!! This will truly explain your Chinese experience to the folks back hoome. I gave my nephews some and they use it to scare the hell out of their friends.

[phets72]

Will I get any hassles with chinese or australian customs if I take it in my hand luggage?

I have had a huge throw out and will just be taking hand luggage with me (one backpack). My clothes are revolting from chinese water and are ready for the bin. Photos can be scanned into my photoalbum from a guy I have found here in Hailun.

[Ruth]

One backpack!!??!! You are my heroine. Seriously. Please come and help me toss/pack. Please. The pile in the corner, ready for shipping, is getting larger by the hour. We are both pack rats and just can't bear to part with stuff.

About the baijiu in the carry-on luggage - Check with someone who really knows before you try this. When we flew out of the Shenyang airport in the summer of 2004 you were not allowed to take alcohol on the plane. Fortunately there was a sign explaining this in English and Crippler noticed the sign. We had time to repack it into the checked luggage. You could always buy some at the duty-free shop in the airport. Stuff bought that way you are allowed to take onto the plane. If you are buying the 3 kuai a bottle kind, and they do confiscate it, what have you lost, really?

My son is keeping the bottle we took him to celebrate Chinese New Year. It will be a short celebration as we only took him one of the small bottles (as a joke and so he could try it) and he's planning to share with his roommate and other buddies. They'll get one swig each - and that will probably be enough

Not sure about Australian customs but assume there is an allowable amount of liquor you can bring in without paying duty. USAnia and Canada have that rule.

[Lone Traveller]

Are you talking about the Baijiu Phets?

You may have problems with Australian customs if it's in hand luggage. They've been cracking down lately. No bottles of liquid (of any kind) can be taken in hand luggage. Not even bottled water!

It shouldn't be a problem if it's in your checked luggage though (if you're going to check you backpack).

L.T

[kzel81]

Wow, talk about a major clean-out!

I couldn't imagine only having a back-pack full of stuff. But then I'm a major over-packer. I've done it every holiday I've ever taken, and no doubt I'll do it on my way over to China.