Ill post about the background of this education exchange based trip later, but for now know that over the course of 15 days we (us, chaperone, and 2 teachers) will be visiting in Japan:
# of schools: 9 schools (4 elementary, 3 junior high, 1 high school and 1 evening high school)
# of boards of education we will meet: 5
Other: 3 (Osaka sister city committee, Osaka Tourist and visitors bureau, city of Osaka)
Soooo cool!! So we want to look good and make a lasting impression.
Its been sometime since I last traveled. We flew to San Fransisco for a weekend in 2011 when I tagged along on another of hubby's business trips. But this is a class all its own. I've googled ideas for packing, must have's and Japan's cultural trendy and casual clothes norms. Guess what ladies, no tank tops, no haters and no strapless dresses or tune tops. Japan is a stylish society. Ladies keep there shoulders covered (it's like showing your booty!!). But you can show off your long legs if you like because short shorts get the green light.*
* of course, if your going to a temple or other rural area, please dress a little conservative. Wrap a shawl around your
Shoulders, and keep the skirts mid length just 1-3 fingers above the knee (Sister Xavier would be proud of me.)
* of course you can throw this to the wind and wear what you want, but I feel as a traveling ambassador of my country I want to leave a positive impression. Showing that we've learned about their culture and norms. I don't want anyone showing up in a bikini at church. Show I can show restraint and NOT show too much skin in Japan.
So here's our family packing lists and tips...
For mom and dad (the Principal and his Wife)
What we need:
I always pack my checked luggage as if I'd never see it again. Because if my critical items are lost on a trip what would I do?? So some "must haves for the trip" go in a carry on (a.k.a. Safer with Me!)
Carry on...
--Make up bag
-- change of clothes, post flight
- Sunglasses and case
- reading glasses and case
- money and passport in my body purse
- half money in the carry on
--Business cards (imperative in Japan culture. I was told for our purposes it's NOT necessary to have them translated.)
--Chicago book (to discuss with Japanese school kids who want to "practice their English" with us)
--Picture of our family (ditto) (I'm bringing a hard copy and loads of fun pics on the iPad: of "American Life" like a birthday party, the 2011 Chicago Blizzard, Halloween costumes, face painting, and my bug collecting hobby pins.)
- toothbrush & toothpaste. Hand lotion.
--Coffee & can w lid (scratch this, I want to live like the Japanese do!!)
--Gold shawl (I'm wearing "layers" on the plane including a tank (base), short sleeve s/s roomy shirt, and linen jacket. If I need more my shawl will help.)
--Kleenex (because restaurants don't always give you napkins, ironic for such a clean culture)
- Hand towels - these are great to wipe off sweat from your brow and as a hand towel in public restrooms.)
- Polish candies (for gifts, my husbands taking brochures from his school, another teacher brought her schools lanyards, etc.)
- For Joanne knee ace wrap/bandage (I hurt my foot), and we are doing a lot of walking around, so it's always goo to have these handy because I don't want to go shipping around for one.
- reading material, usually a trash novel I can leave on the airplane and magazines ( a nerd so I took Science American an Science American in the mind).
- Bandaid & neosporin
-Tampons
- Motrin bottle
- My meds and cipro
-Melatonin (to fall asleep naturally on the plane. I heard we should sleep I time to wake up when our country of destination is having breakfast. I'm totally trying this.)
- Ear buds
- ipad and iPhone
- Allergy non-sudafed
- Rain coats
- Mini umbrella (scratch, supposedly these are sold everywhere.)
- Jewelry for the trip
- Candies for presents
- Passport
- Phase 10 & Skipbo
I'm a compact women traveler. I've been to 8 countries on 3 continents. 45 of the United States and 2 Island trips (not including countless trips to Mexico). so I've got some experience under my belt :-)
There's some great Pinterest boards on traveling in a carry-on for 2 weeks with anywhere from 10-15 pieces of clothing. That was my baseline. I'm traveling as a "behind the scenes wife." Seen and not heard (and frankly a refreshing change of pace from my hectic life!!!), so here's my list as well as a few links from pins that inspired my packing (modified for the no low cut tops/or shoulders exposed:-)
Il'l clean up these links back in the states... But for now: here's some packing advice i used when traveling to Japan:
Tokyo Packing List - what to bring and what not to bring on your trip to Japan. http://pinterest.com/pin/136515432427346542/
"1 Carry On 12 Days in Europe" by heidi-barry-rodriguez on Polyvore http://pinterest.com/pin/136515432427346479/
every traveler I know needs to read this, especially girls
http://pinterest.com/pin/136515432427346689/
5 Things You Didn't Think to Pack for Japan
http://pinterest.com/pin/136515432427346699/
Womens Business casual outfits: Wife's packing list
Travel Airplane outfit::
Long black pants
Tank top black and white
Black and white top 3/4
Linen Jacket Long Sleeve
New comfy Mary Jane crocs
Shawl
White fedora hat
Red coral necklace
When I arrive after a 12 hour flight, ill change into my black skirt and red tshirt-ish top. Or keep my black and white stripe top on.
Packed in checked suitcase:
2 collared button down shirts
1 black and 1 linen tan skirt
Black tank top with a silk 3/4 Sleeve cover top
1 black suit jacket for Osaka "big level diplomacy meeting"
1 cowboy hat (for those of you who know me, this hat may end up at the Osaka meetings too ::--))
White INDIAesque cotton long sleeve
3 bras 6 panties (hand wash In the room)
Little Black dress
Turquoise kimono dress
White print dress
French striped dress
2 shorts (pants)
1 linen 3/4 pants
3 tshirts (one from my country of Poland, one from Hubby's school and one Cubs siort {hubby's is his sox shirt}).
(I took a few extra dresses because 1. I want to be dressed well, 2. If its as hot and humid as we're told I don't want to re wear sweaty clothes.)
Accessories make the outfits "new" and so easy and lightweight space savers!!
2 necklaces
2 long scarves
2 short scarves
1 watch
2 rings
2 regular bracelets
1 statement bracelet
Black sandals (casual)
Red heels shoes (comfy and dressy)
Mary Jane crocs (casual and dressy)
Sandal crocs (casual instead of gym shoes)
* I took 2 more shoes then usual be aide of the amour of walking on this trip and length of the trip.
--Dinosaur back pack (as a purse when we visit the schools, just case and I think the kids will think its cool)
--Yellow oversized travel purse (for everything else)
In suitcase, liquids and toiletries::
Hair spray & shared Gel
Deodorant
Sunscreen & Insect repellant
Nail polish & remover
Small soap bar and shampoo
My husband the Principal took:
1 linen suit jacket
1 navy jacket
1 gray suit
6 mens suit shirts
3 shorts
1 jeans
3 Khakis
1 casual shoe
1 casual/gym shoe
1 dress shoe
6 undershirts & underwear (we plan to sink wash)
4 ties
2 belts
2 s/s linen shirts
3 tshirts (1 from his school, 1 white sox, and his newest from Father's Day) we will dress to the 9's but sometimes you just wanna be a comfy American you know!!
He overpacked!!!! BUT if its as hot a humid as we're told, he doesn't want to risk having a gross sweaty collared shirt. So we'd rather take more.
We ended up with a Medium Size suitcase, a small suit specific folded suitcase, his and my carry on and my purse. We have PLENTY of room for souvenirs. If not undergarments will stay in Japan to help make room for my wasabi kit kats!!
For my mom (La Doña Babysitter)
Complete our Will (morbid but necessary)
Medical release form notarized
Insurance cards &copies
Passport copies
Dr cell phone
Kids:: (Babcia said she'll wanna do some Laundry instead of swimming in kids clothes)
Kids helped me pack and picked there favorites!!!
7 tshirts
7 shorts
2 swimsuits and swim shirts
2-3 hats
2 sox
2 pairs of shoes
In case it's chilly:
1 Long pants
1 long sleeve shirt
1 wind breaker
1 hoody
Babcia also asked for ALOT of clothes for baby girl- she will be happy I dress her (often like a doll.)
5 onesies (short and long sleeve)
5 t shirts
5 dresses
5 shorts
2 long stretch pants
2 hoodies
1 sweats short sleeve outfit
3 sox
2 shoes
5 bibs
3 hats
1 windbreaker
1 pack diapers
1 butt rash cream
Kids ER Lit
Ear thermometer
Motrin (new with dosing syringe)
Does my husband appreciate all the packing I've done yet??
Teething gel
Soap
Shampoo
Nose suction bulb
Hair ties
Delsym cough
Baby wipes (even tho I use Kleenex
And a water bottle at home)
In the car (babcias using my truck):
12 pack mini water bottles
Baby wipes
Extra diapers
My always bin (3 blankets, 2 sets of clothes for kids)
And always in the car is an emergency roadside kit, first aid kit, a few dollars, lotsa coins, CDs, umbrellas, sand toys, fun bag, paper towels, and sunscreen.
Kids toys and games:
Babcia has toys, but i've blogged about the importance of being ready when inspiration hits.
Craft box:: paper, scissors crayons markers
Music toys for Inez & favorite toy phone
Baby stroller and doll
Lego in a box at baba
Tour guide and travel agent info
Itinerary copy
At kitchen table books (keeps um busy with coloring and activities {and school like thinking so their brains don't turn to mush} while grandmas cooking or straightening up.)
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