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Great
Steps
The Great Wall of China at Simatai. |
Planning
a visit to China
So you are going to China to visit. Although you are going
there for a small amount of time, you will need to do quite
a bit of work. Traveling is rigorous, tiring, stressful
and can be a real aggravation if you are not prepared. The
key is to make it less rigorous, tiring, stressful
and aggravating and more rewarding, exciting and enjoyable.
If you are a first time traveler, you couldn't possibly
anticipate all the needs of your trip. So ask other people
who have made an international trip. Ask them what they
wish they had and hadn't brought on the trip. Call the airlines
and ask about baggage restrictions, facilities, security
checks, latest requirements, etc.
You
need to get your visa, your passport and your life ready.
How long you are going to stay also determines how much
preparation you need. Are you going alone or bringing your
family? If you are going alone, then you will need to make
arrangements for your kids, pets, and/or plants. Are you
going to adopt a new baby from China and bring him or her
home with you? Then you should bring baby clothes, bottles,
paperwork, etc.
Immunizations
Call your doctor, your travel agent or the airlines to find
out if you need certain immunizations for your trip. Call
or research several different sources. Many times, information
can be inconsistent or wrong, even from consulates or embassies.
Immunization and quarantine requirements can change according
to the latest malady that occurs in China. If you are bringing
a baby back into the US, find out what necessary health
certificates, immunizations, doctor's letters, prescriptions
you need, written in English. Your adoption agency should
be able to help you with this.
Packing
is fundamental
My first experience moving abroad long-term, I brought four
pieces of luggage and one carryon. Even with a luggage cart,
it was considerably heavy. I had to open it for security
after spending several minutes at home trying to close it.
Of course, I had to close it - again. Fortunately, they
helped me.
At the
airport on the other end, I had to drag my bags through
customs, on and off x-ray machines for security, to the
main gate - all with no help. I had help to get it in and
out of a cab, but while four hundred people are hounding
you to use their cab/hotel/shuttle service, it wasn't convenient.
Using
Chinese trains was a nightmare. I had to drag my luggage
up and down stairs that went up 30 feet in the air. By this
time I had gotten more intelligent and was down to three
lighter bags and a backpack. Still, there were no elevators,
no escalators, no luggage hands, no luggage carts, making
it difficult for me. Now, this is hard enough by yourself,
but with hundreds of people filing past you, many of them
pickpockets and opportunists, it was miserable. My bags
had to be stowed above me, which meant I had to lift them.
They only advantage to them being heavy was someone would
have a hard time stealing them.
Less
is better, no matter if you are moving to China or visiting
China. That doesn't mean you avoid taking anything extra
that you might need. Prioritize. An extra T-shirt doesn't
weigh as much as an extra novel. Less baggage means less
to keep track of.
Packing
is more important than you think. The advantage you have
is that you are just going to visit, which means, you need
less effects. If you are buying things for your trip, remember,
light and little. Make sure your luggage is light and strong.
Ask yourself, do I really need to drag this along? Weigh
the item in your hand. If it is heavy, don't pack it unless
you need it. Pack as if you have to carry it all by yourself.
Pick up your luggage and carry it around the house and if
you can't handle it, repack. Do you want to travel with
four heavy bags (fortunately with wheels) or with one light
medium-sized suitcase on wheels and a carryon? You decide.
What
to pack
This depends on your purpose for going and how long you
are staying. Bring a few toiletries with you as carry on,
most can be bought in China cheaply - except deodorant.
Bring extra pairs of socks, shirts, underwear, and maybe
one outfit. Bring ziploc baggies for wet, soiled or dirty
clothing and especially for shoes. The streets can be quite
unsanitary, and you don't want that mixing with your luggage.
Bring
comfortable shoes - tennis shoes and hiking shoes for exploring.
Ideally, bring clothing that does not need to be ironed,
is comfortable, and for all weather types, but mostly for
the prevailing weather and climate. Bring a language guide,
like Berlitz. Their books are small, but very useful. If
you have prescription drugs include the prescription, but
no illegal drugs. In China, if you are caught, you will
be executed.
Other
things
Chinese voltage is 220V. So take along adapter plugs. Don't
make the same mistake my college roommate did, when she
plugged in speakers purchased in the U.S. into a Chinese
plug without an adapter. Result? Fried speakers.
You
are about to embark on a voyage to another hemisphere, where
things are completely different from your culture. You should
enjoy the little discoveries and deal with the challenges
without having to worry about pain-in-the-butt luggage.
Don't do that to yourself. Pack well and enjoy yourself!
