I'm going home in a couple of days and packing is in full motion. All bags and belongings are downstairs and organized.
You see, when you are an expat, you have a tendency to stock up when you visit home. I have a list a mile long of random and very important items I have to bring back to Rio. # 1 on the list is taco and fajita seasoning packets.
Oh yes, you heard me right! Those McCormick 89 cent wannabe Mexican food seasoning packets are gold for this expat American. It makes it possible to make my very own medium quality tex-mex in the privacy of my own home. This is much better than paying a fortune to get it outside the house. Hell, I even make my own semi sour-cream now.
Along with seasoning packets, I bring good peanut butter, licorice, lotions/potions, and the kitchen sink. Ok, the last one is a big of an exaggeration, but I did bring a facet back with me once.
Now add a half dozen items I found in the Target $1 isle, I'm a sucker for a deal.
You see, I'm a compulsive packer. If there's an empty spot, I must fill it. I'm even bringing back tupperwear. Tupperwear!
In my defense, it's the coolest freaking tupperwear ever. The lids snap to the bottom so you don't have to search around for them in your cabinet! Very practical, if I do say so myself.
Oh my goodness, I just turned into my Mother. Right now, at this very moment. But that's another post...
So here is your goal, fit it all in the alloted suitcases! Don't forget the Christmas toys from Santa!
And GO
Really, it's not as bad as you think. You get very creative with your space. It's surprising how many ziplock bags (out of the box) can be stuffed into a Fisher Price toy. You'll be covered for the year!
In reality, the problem is not the packing, it's customs. No, not that they'll stop you. Brazilians normally bring in a stupidly large amount of stuff from the US. I'm worried about physically getting there.
I have five 70 kilos (154lbs) suitcases to get from the carousel to the professional bag perusers. Even with the "guys" that help out with bags in Rio de Janeiro's international airport, that's a feat. Let us not forget that my Mother has 2 of her own. So that's 7 bags of Christmas toys, Mexican seasoning packets, and ziplock baggies.
Eventually we'll get there, into the car(s), and back home. Then the problem will switch from how to pack it to where to put it all! Whatever, I'll cross that beach when I come to it.
