Yes I know there's still another 5 and a bit months to go before I jet off to China, but I'm one of life's planners and I'm already thinking about what to take. Lots of people have told me that I can buy clothes out there, so I should just take enough stuff for a week and buy the rest when I get there? But my concern is that I often can't find clothes to fit me here in the UK . . . so what are my chances over in Asia?
I'm slightly over 5'9" in bare feet (6' when I get my heels on). My arms wouldn't look amiss on an orangutan, they're so long and as for my legs - they measure in at a 33" inside leg (a UK ladies 'long' length trouser stops at 31"). Then there's the shoes, to balance the height, I've been blessed with size 8 feet - you'd probably get two chinese feet into one of my shoes!
Now in the summer months, this won't be a problem - arms and legs don't look amiss poking out of short sleeves and cropped trousers. But what if I get sent to Inner Mongolia? Think of the winter months there . . . -33 whilst wearning open toed shoes with my ankles and wrists bared to the howling winds . . . uuggghhh!!!! Its the stuff of nightmares (well, my nightmares anyway).
So do I risk packing no more than a pair of walking boots, birkenstock flip flops, 3 pairs of trousers, a couple of skirts, couple of sweaters, half a dozen tops, waterproofs and a handful of underwear - in the hope that I can find the local Orangutan Fashion Store in whichever town I'm sent to? Or do I cram as much summer stuff as possible into my back pack and arrange for my family to ship my entire winter wardrobe out to me as the season's change?
Time to make a list of travel essentials me thinks!
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I'm really looking forward to doing some shopping when I'm in China . . . hoping that I can get some fabulous fabrics to send home so that I can make some beautiful things when I return to the UK. My main concern about buying clothes over there is whether they will actually have any to fit me . . I don't think I could manage to bring my sewing machine in my rucksack!
Good to hear that there's no winter in Indonesia as that's my next place to visit. Stay in touch Astrid, if I get posted anywhere near you, then we'll have to meet up to say hello in person!
I don't know exactly China is. But I'm planning to go there for teaching if there's a company wants to hire me. All that I will bring are my formal shirt for work and some other clothes for home. I will just buy any additional clothes there, like for winter (we don't have winter in Indonesia). And I quite sure that most of my clothes that I have don't fit with the weather there.
Anyway, the price of the clothes in China is cheap. You can get a good one (local production) with a lower price.
Oh Jane I only said in a post to Leon yesterday that my worst nightmare is seeing my suitcase burst open on the airport carousel......like you i tend to overpack but Leon is a light packer. I figure we take note of Leon's packing list (?) below and then TRY and work out what "extras" we need.
From my experience in Asia you will find it difficult to buy off the rack but getting stuff made is the way to go. I'm just not sure of the Chinese tailors and cant say I've ever heard anyone talking about getting clothes made in China......maybe a little bit of research is needed. You are going to seem like a giant to them......my girlfriend who I travelled to Vietnam is your height and they used to call her the "big lady". She was not amused but it wasn't meant as an insult - they were just saying it as they see it.
I'm hoping that having my trip to the Uk and Europe before I go to China will give me a trial run on what I must have in my suitcase!!!! I';ve never tried to pack for 6 months before so heaven help me!!!!
Hmmm well i always pack light... 5 pairs of boxers & socks, couple t-shirts, couple shirts, couple shorts (1 swimming), normally wearing my only pair of jeans. Trainers and flip flops. Think thats it. Can go years with just that :D
My packing plans are a bit different this time round as I have to take a tent and basic camping stuff for East Europe and dump it on the way to China. Will buy warm clothes out there as and when I need them (I don't really own any here so no choice really :D)
I'm going to China in August too and everyday I keep thinking what to take as I don't know where I'll end up. Also I don't know whether to take a suitcase or backpack and even then what size!!! There's so much to think about, it'll take forever to figure out what to take.
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