Malissa- Packing, Preparing, and Gifts

     One of the worst parts of traveling is the packing and preparing. Not only is it incredibly dull but somewhat labor intensive and long. You always seem to remember something you forgot, to do, or find right when you think you are done. For international travel the packing is an essential. The luggage has to be light enough to lug around, but big enough to fit a good bit of clothes. We both have matching hard, indigo blue suitcases for the journey. 

     We had to buy gifts for many people in China. My suitcase is packed with all the gifts because I was the one with room to spare. Go figure. We are taking gifts to China since it is culturally expected to give a gift if you are visiting a family. It's like in America- you would bring the host a gift. Small gifts like wine, flowers, tea, or some candies are ideal. Our agency told us you should never wrap a gift in white paper because white represents death in their culture. Red and gold are celebrated colors and therefore are best. If a Chinese person gives you a gift do not open it immediately unless they insist. We are giving gifts to a family we will be visiting and dining with, a small school, a citizen panel, a rickshaw staff (mode of transportation), my orphanage staff (nannies and director), and the police officer that responded to the call when I was found. We bought multi-vitamins (good vitamins are not commonly found in China), mini photo albums of me growing up, Michigan gemstones, and beef jerky sticks (another untypical item in China). 

     It took us a long time to find everything on our list. Camera, clothes, gifts, small toiletries, games to keep us busy on the really long flight, snacks (peanut butter, granola bars, candy) to satisfy our hunger, a first aid kit just in case, sunglasses/sunscreen to protect us for the bearing heat and hot sun, and hand sanitizer.