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Monday, July 15, 2013

Packing for Spain: How I Pack for a Month Abroad

When we travel, we like to travel light, but since we're staying primarily at our home in Galicia, we have the luxury of carrying a bit more weight, since it will stay at the house.
Home, sweet home.

And that affords me the opportunity to take some things from home that I have not yet found in Spain, making my transition to living abroad a tad easier.

Now, this is purely fluff, because my husband and I both would be happy to pack our belongings into a backpack and travel the world sans luxuries listed here.

But for fun's sake, here are the things going into my suitcase. You can be assured that I will undoubtedly be holding my breath at Iberia's check-in with fingers crossed that I am not overweight.

Food
  • Splenda--I just can't find it anywhere, so I'm happy to bring scores of packets . Saving calories with splenda makes the calories I spend on other delicious treats almost guilt free.
  • CoffeeMate Sugar Free French Vanilla Creamer--This is for my morning coffee at home only. Otherwise, it's cafĂ© con leche all the way, baby.
  • Quest Bars--These protein bars are my go-to snacks. They are not coated, so I don't have to worry about them melting and they're chewy, so I don't have to worry about crushing them. And you can't beat the nutrition. It's a win-win.

Clothes
Luckily, we have a washer at the house, so this greatly reduces the amount of clothes I need to pack to be comfortable. Every year gets easier to plan, and here's what I'm planning to bring for our month abroad this year:
  • One maxi dress
  • One cardigan
  • One pair of jeans with belt
  • One hoodie sweatshirt
  • One hooded wind-breaker jacket.
  • Two long-sleeve t-shirts
  • Three pairs of capris with accompanying tops
  • One workout outfit (depending on weight)
  • One pair of croc flip flops
  • One pair of dressy sandals
  • Bathing suit
  • One pair of pajamas
  • Seven pairs of underwear
Toiletries, blow-dryer, and vitamins.

Luxuries/Technology
  • Phone with wifi access only
  • iPod for facetiming with my mom and niece
  • Tablet (with downloaded books) with wifi access only
  • Nikon Coolpix L120 camera with 2 8gb SD cards
  • Chargers for all of the tech with adapters
  • 2 paperback books I've already started and one I have not
  • My Spanish workbook & textbook--depending on weight
So, as it turns out, it is quite a bit. It's a list in progress, since I still have about a week to make last minute changes. But it is what it is. And, if there are things that we find we can't live without, we just get them there.

The countdown is on!

Last month, I posted here about all I can't wait to experience when I arrive in Galicia, not the least of which is the view. Consider adding this corner of the world to your must-see list.

The view from the upstairs bedrooms at sunset.

Until then,
un besote...










20 comments:

  1. Enjoy your trip and stay! It sounds like a special place! Funny how the electronics add up now days, right? I was just packing to go for a trip to Virginia for a week, and was shocked at all the "chargers" we needed. ha. Safe trip!

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    1. Thanks so much, Winnie. It is a very special place. Now that we have the tech gadgets, we wonder how we ever traveled before without them. And yet, we did. Funny! Thanks again. :-)

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  2. Have a great trip and best of luck with the rest of your packing...how daunting to pack for an entire month but it sounds like you have a good plan in place!

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    1. Thanks so much, Jess! I'm putting the plan into action today. The heat here has finally broken and it's a glorious morning with the windows wide open. Time to pack! Thanks again! :-)

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  3. Wow, I am a bit jealous!
    I love Spain and have been to Barcelona last year!
    much fun over there :)
    Sandra

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    1. Thanks so much, Sandra! I haven't made it over to Barcelona yet...maybe this year. Spain is such a fun place with so much to see. Looking forward to seeing more this year. Thanks again. :-)

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  4. Oh, you're going to have so much fun! :)

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    1. I am so excited. The heat here has finally broken and it's so nice to sit here with the windows wide open. Time to pack! I am ready! Hope you're enjoying your time home in the States. :-)

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  5. Have a great trip, and post lots of pictures!!!

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    1. Thanks, Johara! Will do. BTW...loved your pictures of Paris. We got engaged there, so it truly is a city of love for us...one of our favorites.

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  6. I envy you for being able to take a trip like this, but I do hope you have a wonderful time.

    Heidi’s Wanderings

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    1. Thanks, Heidi! It will soon be our forever home, so it's nice to be able to get to know it better in small bits...at least for me. And I love it there, so it's a win-win. Thanks so much for stopping by! :-)

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  7. Have a wonderful trip! I can't believe how beautiful your view is!!!! It must be so difficult to come home.
    xM

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    1. Hi Melissa! Thanks so much for stopping by. It is a spectacular view...I never tire of it. It is difficult to leave Spain, but my family and friends are here too. It's a win-win, on both fronts. Thanks again. :-)

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  8. I'm stopping by from Aloha Friday Blog Hop. I'm now following you please follow back when you get the time Evoluchun's Miscellaneous

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    1. Hi Danyale! Aloha and thanks for stopping by! On my way over to Evoluchun's Miscellaneous now. :-)

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  9. I am stopping by from the Let's be friends bloghop! I am totally jealous of your life and ability to travel in Spain! New follower here, can't wait to see more!
    Come say hi at smileandwrite1.blogspot.com.

    Shannon

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    1. Hi Shannon! Thanks for stopping by! It is a good life, indeed, but as I am sure yours is...in just different ways. I am headed over to smileandwrite now. :-) Thanks again!

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  10. Ohhhh, how I hate packing. Although I do love a holiday. I hope you're having a great time.
    Do pop over and say hi at www.chasingthedonkey.com when you're back in town.

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  11. dear Kelly,
    I have just heard about the train accident in Galicia.
    What a terrible accident!
    I hope you are both safe.
    hugs!

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