Posts Tagged packing

photo credit: billaday

When you’re planning a trans-atlantic move, you’re always encouraged to under-pack, right? Don’t bring shampoo. You can buy it there. Don’t bring towels. Waste of space, you can buy it there. Bottom line? When in doubt, YOU CAN BUY IT THERE. Or so I heard.

I economized my packing with the best of ‘em when I decided to move from Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Geneva, Switzerland. I packed no toiletries. I packed no towels. I packed no linens. I packed no extraneous clothes. I almost didn’t bring my ski boots until I thought twice about the prime Alps locations.

Now, 18 months later, I can tell you what I wished I’d packed.

• Towels. Yep, of course you can buy them in Switzerland, but one tires of Ikea towels after 18 months. Also, think about the efficiency of wrapping your valuables in towels for the moving process (I didn’t).
• Shampoo. Again, you can buy it in Switzerland, but you will pay double the price… Ditto to contact solution, face wash and moisturizer.
• Bathrobe. Seemed so extraneous when I was packing. Remember, you ARE moving, not going on holidays. You’ll want the comfort stuff.
• Favorite pens. Favorite stationery. Favorite drawing stuff.
• Anything technical or outdoorsy. Even if it’s European brands, it tends to be a great deal cheaper in the United States. So jump drives, sleeping bags, camping stuff, hiking boots, etc.
• Specific cooking tools you love. Your favorite paring knife. A favorite spatula. Measuring cups that measure in cups, not ounces (this I did bring from the US and thought it was inspired on my part). Love it all. Have used it all.

What I didn’t need and will be leaving in Switzerland

• Clothing that I rarely wore in the United States, but couldn’t force myself to get rid of, yet determined it looked “European.” Haven’t worn any of it.
• Shoes (specifically four pairs of treacherous heels) that I rarely wore in the United States, but couldn’t force myself to get rid of, yet determined they’d be worn in Europe. Yes, because having no car and walking everywhere leads to you wearing more uncomfortable shoes? No.