Oh Boy

With 13 days left until my departure date I am no longer able to avoid thinking about packing... :(

Yesterday I went out with my momma and got a suitcase. It's purple! And is right at the 62 linear inches mark, so I hope that they don't come up with some larger number if they measure it by hand. It's a hardcover suitcase, so it's completely open and free to fill on both sides. Which is awesome for all of my clothes and shoes, but totally terrible for my weight limit! ..I am also a professional clothes-roller. I have managed to fit almost everything that I would like to take with me, and after some swapping between my carry-on I think I've worked it out so that I'm just within the weight limit.

Going through my shoes was so difficult! I felt like a real girl last night as I was picking through them all, weeping. (Not really. But almost.) I have too many pairs! I kept thinking, "Man, Kyleigh and I really are sisters."

But before packing I researched what others who've made the same trip had brought, and combed through lists my recruiter was kind enough to give me. It's really interesting what they tell you to bring and what they tell you to leave behind. Deodorant, for example, is somewhat difficult to find in South Korea and terribly expensive compared to what we're used to paying. I've heard that half the size is twice the price. Woah! And for all of you ladies, if you will ever want to wear tampons you should bring them. Also, if you wear a size C or larger, bring enough bras to last you, because you won't be able to find any. (So I've heard. If I find it to be otherwise, I'll try to inconspicuously mention it in a future post.)


Here is a list of what I recommend bringing:
1. Reese's. -for eating, sharing, and saving for later.
2. Deodorant!! -shampoo/conditioner/razors are readily found, so don't worry about it unless you want to pack a little in your carry-on (minus the razor) like I'm doing :)
3. Towel(s) -towels in Korea aren't as large as what we're accustomed to. So if having a smaller towel won't bother you, then you won't have to waste luggage space :)
4. Sheet set(s) -Korea uses a slightly different type of bedding.
5. Coats for winter and monsoon season.
6. Comfy shoes, dressy shoes, and monsoon shoes. -I don't know what the largest size available is, but I'm fairly certain that if you wear larger than an 8 (women, I don't know about men), you will not have much luck in purchasing any.
7. Enough sweaters to not need to heat your house into oblivion in colder months.
8a. Clothes for your body type -having never been there, I don't know the largest/smallest sizes available, or what their average inseams are.
8b. Clothing for teaching, going out with friends/co-teachers, exercising, sleeping, and bumming around the house.
9. Your favorite vitamins, pain killers, and any medication you need.
10. Mac n' cheese, taco seasoning, any sauce packets or snacks you may miss. -this is one I've seen on a lot of lists!
11. Multiple things to do on the airplane.
12. Photographs -for your living space and your students.
13. A little gift for the director of your school and the co-teacher -it lets them know that you appreciate the opportunity to work with and for them, and is a simple and polite gesture that will help set you off on the right foot :)

**A side note, I would recommend arriving at least with the ability to read the Korean alphabet, Hangul, with an open and adventurous spirit, and with enough of certain articles so that the fact that you do not have access to a dryer for your clothes doesn't affect you.


It feels kind of strange, though, to be packing for a year in advance. It puts all of this into perspective. I know it's going to be tough at times to be so far from my friends and family. Your support means so much to me, and I am incredibly thankful for everyone who has been a part of this journey with me, even though it hasn't really begun yet. I'll make sure to keep everything updated!

As always, feel free to leave any questions or comments. If there is anything you would add to the list, let me know!

:)

Flight Booked!

I have my date of arrival from my school! They would like me in March 1st. It's a little later than I was hoping for, but the current ESL teacher isn't even evacuating until then. I'll be moving in later that day. I feel bad for the people who will attempt to clean the apartment in such a short amount of time!

Buut, I just booked my flight. I found one where the total travel time is only 17.5 hours! It's not a cheap ticket, but it's by no means one of the more expensive ones, either. After taxes it cost me about $998 one way. A round-trip may have been cheaper in the long run, but they would have only refunded half of the RT ticket at first and I don't have the funds for that. I am also open to the idea that I may want to stay another year. It's nice, though, because I thought I would need to book with a certain travel agent to have airport pick-up, but my recruiter told me that she would arrange for it regardless of where I booked my flight :)

The flight I chose ended up being with Delta Airlines. The cheapest and most direct flight carrier depended on which day I checked for flights out. I booked through Expedia.com, and they had this really great chart listing carry-on and checked baggage rules. I copied it and removed a few that I have never heard of. It's longer than I'd like so it's at the bottom of this post.

When I got to Delta's website, it said that the checked baggage may weigh up to 50 lbs (23 kg) and be no more than 62" (157 cm) total between the width, height, and length. Carry-on is standard, and needs to be no more than 45" (115 cm) between the width, height, and length.

Here is the baggage chart. It may help you make a better decision if you are looking at flights of similar price and duration.

Over and out!