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Talk me down and tell me what the feck to take

37 replies

turnandfacethenamechange · 01/03/2020 13:07

Am currently pacing around my flat in circles taking weird shallow breaths.
I'm leaving for the airport at 5 to get the airport hotel and fly out for two months travelling tomorrow morning. I cannot seem to do anything except stare impotently at my piles of belongings and empty suitcase then procrastinate even more. Then putting stupid shit in the bag and taking it out again. Am meeting DP out there but am doing 6 days alone first at a yoga place. I've never done any real traveling before and I'm shit scared of flying. Keep thinking passport has somehow leapt out of rucksack. Have list of things to pack but maybe it's all wrong. Also Friday was last day at job after 6 years and was very sad to leave friends. Suddenly seems insane and reckless to quit safe boring job to go abroad. Help 😭 Shout out the most important things I might need. I keep mentally revisiting the dream I have where I get to the airport and have no clothes or tickets.

OP posts:
turnandfacethenamechange · 01/03/2020 17:55

Graphista I identify with SO much of what you right. I try to tell myself it's those of us that are most scared but do it anyway that are the bravest! Have got the insurance now. In the end I got so overwhelmed I just double checked all the key things and closed the back. I'm sure it's all there I'm just faffing now! Had a nice lie down instead and about to get up to get the train to the airport eeeeeeek 😬

I've been texting my friend who has super bad anxiety too and she basically goes look you just left your job, you are about to do a big trip alone and you had two coffees and a wax today OF COURSE YOURE PANICKING 😂 she also reminded me "if you don't like it, you only 24 hours away, you can alway come home". Am sure will love it but that is v.comforting.

OP posts:
Graphista · 01/03/2020 18:52

Yes choices are comforting.

There's nothing can be done can't be undone really.

I was incredibly nervous about moving overseas with ex.

I'd actually lived overseas with parents when little but too young to remember and this time I'd have to "adult".

Once there I surprised myself how independent and enthusiastic I was. Within a couple of weeks I had enough stock sentences in the local language to get a bus, go the shops and get home again.

Others also living there with army husbands weren't as independent and pretty much stayed on the base the whole time getting all their shopping from the naafi and px (which is a bloody expensive way to shop!) which I thought was a real waste of the opportunity!

I shopped where the locals did and even found some shops which were sort of "locals secrets" inc an amazing bakers and ice cream parlour (didn't do my waist any favours!)

I even went to a step class held in the local language (just copied the movements if I didn't understand the instructions) and made friends there.

Went to the far better civilian pool rather than crappy old army one.

It's all about having the right attitude.

I'm veggie and people said I'd not get veggie food there certainly not in restaurants and this was in the early 90's when Uk wasn't even great on veggie stuff, I never had a problem. Explained to wait staff in their language and they and the kitchen staff were always more than happy to knock something up if nothing veggie on menu, but I mostly cobbled together a meal from starters and sides and just asked they brought it all at once.

The places we began to go to more frequently got to know me and even suggested dishes.

We went to the local market every weekend which some other army people were suspicious of - why I don't know!

It was amazing packed full of loads of different, very fresh fruit and veg, baked goods, cheeses, cakes, fresh juices (I'm talking the fruit to make them picked that morning! Doesn't get any fresher), soups and cooking sauces..:

Somewhere like Bali I'm sure there will be loads of new and exotic foods to try that either aren't available here or wouldn't be as fresh.

Please try as much as possible - food and drink, activities, meeting people...

Make the most of it.

And maybe try and let us know how it is? I'm sure I'm not the only one that would like to experience this vicariously.

Graphista · 01/03/2020 18:54

Meant to say don't be put off if you mess up! That's part of the adventure.

I got on the wrong bus trying to get home early on living overseas but discovered by accident this gorgeous little village with a coffee house that did the most amazing cakes and with beautiful views over the river.

I got home...eventually Grin

turnandfacethenamechange · 01/03/2020 21:06

Graphista

I'll be your travel buddy any day. Actually it's interesting you mentioned being vegetarian because am vegan and have quickly realised that when traveling this is the thing that will force me out my comfort zone a bit. So far have been to Spain and Aus as vegan and bit really had a problem. And it's sounds like Bali is the vegan food Mecca so am really looking forward to that! Am currently at the airport restaurant having a second glass of wine (so needed!) trying to get my head round all this change. I really appreciate your replying to me. I wrote a funny packing synopsis for my Facebook....

OP posts:
turnandfacethenamechange · 01/03/2020 21:09

Packing, a three act play and a co-production with Anxiety:
Select bag
Assess merits of bag
Consider luggage allowance
Half-heartedly assess way of measuring luggage weight
Have sit down
Look at bag
Put clean clothes in pile
Text friends
Check list
Maybe list is all wrong
Check passport is in rucksack
New list
Practice handstands
Fret
Scroll through social media
Place clothes in bag
Lose track
Crisps
Replace, refold and reassess clothes, in that order
Sit in bed staring into space
Assess merits of each item of bulging wash bag
Cat memes
Purge wash bag of extra skincare products
Tea
Replace skincare products
Cram extra entirely non-esssential items into any spare gap (eg. Yoga wheel, running shoes will not use, vitamins do not routinely take etc.)
Read synopsis of all 8 books plan on taking
Begin reading book
Remove book
Lose temper
Cry
Crisps
Close bag without checking items, surely must all be there by now
Check passport again
1 hour nap.
Leave lately.

OP posts:
Graphista · 01/03/2020 23:41

Only 3 acts? Grin must be a 5 act at least, hamlet has nothing on you!

Ohh I envy you all that lovely vegan food.

I'm afraid I can't quite make the mental leap to full Vegan I love cheese and eggs too much. But been veggie 30+ years.

Find these days with so many more vegan products around and becoming available that I sometimes have "accidental" vegan days.

The yoga in that heat will be interesting I'm far too sweaty even when I'm not doing yoga! (Used to do it a few years back) I'd end up slipping out of position and probably knocking someone else over knowing my luck! Blush

Have a brilliant time!

stayathomegardener · 02/03/2020 00:02

I am a terrible packing procrastinator but just came back from a 21 day sunny holiday that I purposely decided to pack on a minimal basis.

I took
1 bikini
1 bra
2 pants
2 socks
2 tee shirts
2 long vests
1 shirt
1 shorts
1 jeans
1 jumped
1 coat
1 big scarf
2 dresses
Converse
Heels
Pj's

Big bottle of hand wash.

Hair brush
Bobbles
Hair oil
Shampoo
Conditioner
Moisturiser
Tweezers

5 gold bangles
Gold string of necklaces
1 pair earrings
Nice bag

Medication
Pilates bands
6 books
Diary
Pen

It was an eye opener, washing stuff took 5 minutes a day and it was so simple to have all my favourite clothes and no decisions as to what to wear.

Actually didn't miss anything.

Take photos of travel insurance etc.

Frownette · 02/03/2020 11:13

I feel really thick for asking this but what is WA?

SuperPixie247 · 02/03/2020 11:36

Western Australia?

Frownette · 02/03/2020 11:39

Ahhh, thanks!

turnandfacethenamechange · 02/03/2020 14:00

Hello from the sky chaps! Turns out he Malaysia planes are super. WiFi, and have a whole row to myself and the more turbulence there is the more wine they seem to bring. Hurrah and cheers!

OP posts:
Graphista · 02/03/2020 18:00

Great update op have a fabulous time.

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