What To Bring, Buy?... So Close!

[ObertonGluek]

Ok ok, *breathes in and out slowly*.... puff puff!

Ok... 3 days to go and I'm not nearly packed. I haven't started buying anything or packing yet and tomorrow I plan to go shoppig with my mother. What should I bring with me? I mean, I don't want to miss anything.

There was a thread in here which was amazing but I can't find it, so if someone could just post a link to that rather than starting all over again, that'd be good.

[solongtinik]

OG,

>can opener is a must.

guess that was icebear's thread...check it out!

[ilunga]

You'll be able to find good imported food in SHenzhen but it will probably be expensive. More than you would pay in the U.K. I went to tesco the day before I flew back and bought a load of stuff. Trouble was most of it was in tins and really weighed my case down, so I ended up leaving stuff behind. Best stuff to bring is chocolate (chinese chocolate (dove aside) sucks), tinned meats, custard, jelly, mushy peas, packet soups (cos they're cheap and light), salad cream. Well that's my tastes anyway. That's the stuff I can't find here.
Health stuff too like paracetemol, antiseptic cream, bonjella, cold and flu capsules. Maybe you can get some of that stuff, I'm not sure. The flu and cough stuff here like contac never works for me. You're down south though so you'll probably be alright in that regard.

[Dr. Gonzo]

Health stuff yes. Reading matter. Jocks n socks. Favorite music.
The rest you'll either find, or find you can do without.

[ObertonGluek]

Ok, I found the other thread, so I've created a little list and I shall go out to buy it all on the morrow.

... You know, I didn't get around to getting any shots which I think is totally stupid on my part. Is it possible to get these done in China and, if so, how much do you think it'd cost?

[Dr. Gonzo]

I would have to agree with your self-assessment. Hep A and B are essential. I'm sure you can find a clinic to give you these before you leave. Yes, you can get it all in China. You'll be sent to a foreigners' medical centre most likely, and it will cost plenty.

[Mr Nobody]

But still cheaper than at home. You left it a bit late for the shots, OG, the course for hep for example takes two vists 3-6 months apart. A single shot isn't sufficient, only gets about 20% after a few months. The two shots gives you 100% coverage or thereabouts, perhaps for life. I can't remember how much the booster cost me but I laughed at the price comparison - I think about 30rmb or something.

Tetanus is also essential, plus a bunch of other stuff if you don't already have it. Check your countries website or search for the recommendations. All is available here and lower prices.

[Missi]

Go through your morning routine. What sortof products do you use? Some of the hair products can be bought here, but most of the sprays will dry out your hair. Do you use any special face cleanser? Think about what you use and what you can leave behind or live without for a while.

If you are planning to travel, make sure you bring some travel sized products so much easier than lugging around the bigger bottles and the travel sized stuff is easy to refil

Make sure you bring some trinkets and things with you, they make nice gifts for people who have helped you out.

[ObertonGluek]

Morning routine:

Shower with Mint Source shower Gel, mint source shampoo/conditioner. Brush teeth, wash face, put a tiny amount of hairstyling wax in my hair to make it do what I want, anti-perspirent and then maybe some smelly spray... 'though not always.

Oh, and get dressed, of course. I don't think China will take too well to me walking outside naked.

What kinda trinkets? British chocolate bars... even the Americans would be interested in them; we have lots of different kinds which are just yummy. Toffee Crisp, Crunch Bar, Milky Way (Not sure if you have that in American/Canada), etc etc.

Maybe some British Cigarettes, too. I'm gonna bring some British food too, so when special/appreciative people come back to my apartment I can cook them some yummy British food. Although, there isn't very much traditional stuff in Britain as our cuisine is very international. Curries, Pasta, Chinese, etc

[Lotus Eater]

With all your preparations for coming you didn't check the heath page? I wouldn't get too energetic about bringing loads of food over. Many Chinese people don't really like western food - chocolate stuff, biscuits maybe - but it also melts pretty fast - like from the airport to your new place - in summer. Trinkets are things like calendars, tie pins, soccer memorabilia, things that sort of say 'Britain' etc. Alcohol as gifts is also good - but heavy. What is your luggage allowance?

[icebear]

I think I'm pretty wrapped up here for my flight tomorrow morning, but there are a few things I wish I had thought of earlier:

Flags, 1 America, 1 Alaska, not necessarily in that order ;p
More Alaska themed things in general. I find that repping Alaska is an incredibly good way to meet people. Do people in China commonly know about Alaska Hamish?

[Hamish]

icebear said:

I find that repping Alaska is an incredibly good way to meet people. Do people in China commonly know about Alaska Hamish?

They know it is cold, I most think it is a separate country, including some American expats.

Regarding being from Alaska as a way to meet people – here’s a true story, as opposed to all the others I tell youse.

Sallie and I were standing in line in the ticket office of Carnegie Hall trying to read the posters and signs to determine what was happening that night. For the life of us we could not figure out which performance was available.

There was a very well dressed man in front of us and I decided to ask him.

“Pardon me,” I said, and noticed him stiffen as if I was going to ask for money. “We are visiting from Alaska and want to see the inside of Carnegie Hall. We don’t really care what is going on tonight, and will go even if it is a dog show just to be inside. Can you see anything up on the front wall that tells one what is happening tonight?”

He looked us up and down, softened, and, looking around, said that there was a birthday tribute for the late Dr. M. King being hosted by Andrew Young. He then told us about how New York was the best place in the world to live and how he lived in the best building in New York and how that building was right next door so it was in the best neighborhood in the best city in the world.

He had more tickets to buy than we did so we got out on the sidewalk first and went down the street to look at the best of all possible buildings in the world. It is truly a marvelous thing to see. Covered in glass from the street up to the sky is a sharp edged, angular edifice that makes clear that, if you don’t live there, stay the m'kay out. While we were posed with our head turned toward the sky, along came the man who had assisted us. He walked up smiling and invited us to visit his home on the 73 rd floor.

“My name is Charles,” he said.

We went in to a chamber that seemed to have no other door. One of the several personnel in the chamber said. “Hello Mr. Prentice.” And someone else pressed a button. The entire wall opposite us opened up and we proceeded though to an elevator just inside. “This is the fastest elevator in New York,” he said, as my blood drained into my feet and Sallie’s panties fell to the floor.

He had, in truth, a very nice place up there. From his bedroom we could see Central Park and all the rest of New York as well from every other room as all the exterior walls were glass windows from floor to ceiling. It was like a large, geometric, fish tank.

By the way, the man was Charles Prentice of Prentice/Hall Publishing.

He doesn’t invite everyone up to his flat.

Just Alaskans, and a few others.

It was a trip.

[ObertonGluek]

Ahhh well, Liverpool is my home city and it's obviously the birth place of The Beatles.

Icebear, thanks for the flags idea. I think I will purchase a couple of Great Britain flags and a couple of England ones, then I'll buy some badges and stuff like that from the Beatles tourist shop here, which is always full of Chinese and Japanese tourists! ;D

I don't really have much time to do all of this, but I'll just find as much touristy stuff as I can in my local shopping mall. Liverpool is also famous for Liverpool Football Club, but I don't think that's very popular knowledge in the US as football (soccer) is not that big over there.

Oh yes, my luggage allowance is 30Kg.

[Noodles]

Your not going to be missing to many things in Shenzhen. Good reading material is hard to come by, but most other things canbe found here.I miss a good kebab, but you cant really pack to many of those in your luggage.

[ilunga]

Try and get your hepatitis shots before you come. They're pretty important. The boosters you should be able to get in Shenzhen. I paid 10RMB for those in Luoyang. Not sure how good they are mind. When I went for a check last month, my Hep B immunity levels were low. I needed another booster.

[Mr Nobody]

What you can't find in Shenzhen you can find in HK. It will be cheaper for everything, except if you have big feet. Shoes and good socks are the hardest. If you aren't big then don't need anything. Can buy everything here cheaper.

[AMonk]

Gifts to say "Thank You" for help?
What about postcards, and posters? And postage stamps or small change? Or souvenir tie-tacs/brooches? Or egg-spoons? Or maps/brochures of your city/town/region (what the Tourist Bureau has as giveaways)?
AM

[Raoul Duke]

I like all those ideas, AMonk.
As I've said many times, I think coins are a great thing to bring. The homeys see a lot of our paper money but rarely see our coins.

I got in a taxi the other day and found a 25-something Ukrainian coin sitting on the back seat. I wonder if GTO is still lurking about?

[icebear]

I received all of these vaccinations throughout my youth and was current with a huge array of ones beyond this list as of 4 years ago when I began college. When the nurse looked at my 'rap sheet', "Wow they must be really cautious in Alaska!"

A quick search showed me Hep B is effective indefinitely, is this also the case with Hep A? Just curious if I should look into those boosters once in Shenzhen or try rushing them in Colorado Monday.

[Mr Nobody]

Yes it is, as far as is known. Same as Hep B if you completed the courses. Doesn't hurt to get a booster anyway.

[ObertonGluek]

I've had a tetanus shot in school, and I'm pretty positive I've had a couple of others. I'd have to ask my mother as I don't remember much of my pre-16 years due to a whole variety of reasons, one of which was being in hospital a lot which is why I think I've had a couple more.

I don't think I've had the Hep A or B shots, and so I'll need to get those in Shenzhen.

[Mr Nobody]

Tetanus lasts for only 2-5 years depending on what you do. Get a new one.

[ObertonGluek]

Damn... I actually sat and thought about this for a while last night. I mean, should I be scared about not having had these shots or what? I mean, they only take away a small chance of actually ever catching anything, right?

[Mr Nobody]

What? Millions used to die from these things. Still do. But don't worry, get the shots here, they are cheap, but make sure you have the tests to see if they take, since the doses are aimed at average Chinese body weight. For most immunilogical stuff that should only make it slower, not inneffective, if they are over a certain does.

It is true, though, that you won't be likely to die from these diseases in the 2-3 months it takes to finish all the courses. Many never bother and are fine. Up to you whether you take that chance.

I mean, you will be in the malaria zone, as am I, but I didn't bother with malaria antibiotics. Or the rabies shots, and I am in a city that had an outbreak a few years ago. But I did with Hep, and tetanus and I have a million other shots mostly permanent, such as TB and other things from childhood courses and travelling around the world with health concious parents as a little child.

Just don't eat any 'street food' until you do get your hep shots, and make sure all your food is well cooked and fresh. Most restaurants where the food comes out hot will be OK, but cheap local food can be suss. That would be my advice.

[Raoul Duke]

Ja...PLEASE take these shots seriously! In many cases the odds may be low but the diseases they are intended to prevent are so horrible that it's just not worth fooling around with them.

In the cases of Hep A and Hep B the odds are not all that low. Millions of Chinese get these every year.

Please remember that you're going to be living here, not just passing through on a tour bus. The advice you need to follow is a bit different than it is for turistas.

If you're still abroad, you should have some sort of official clinic for travel diseases near you. I recommend a swing-by to talk with the doctor there. Wherever you are, we have great sources of info on immunizations in our Library. Please check 'em out!