Hi bloggers, this is my first article on this topic. I would like to share this journey with you. To those who are merely curious, the aspirant ones, on the same path, been there-done-that, I salute you. This will be 2 episodes because of the nature of the topic. Lets go!
As I was growing up, my home on a National road (N2) in South Africa, I knew that the geographic space I called home was a mere stepping stone to a larger more interesting world. I however, had no idea how big the world was. I also had no idea of the destination of all those cars passing by my house was. I only knew that one day I will see beyond the confines of my family and culture.
See, up until I was 10 I did not know Television. We had radio as a means for reaching out beyond our physical spaces, a channel for imagination and a platform to tell our stories. Today we have a plethora of platforms. There is so much great about that. Nowadays, we can not imagine how we lived without cellphones. Those days we had to go to the post office, and wind wind for the operator to connect us with a number. Except of-course when I was at my grandfather's houses that had landlines.
I have lived in a rural, township, city centre and suburban homes. It is all growth, development and life. I have moved from village towns like Mzimkulu to small towns like East London, to smaller cities like Johannesburg to major cities like New York. It has now dawned on me that living in a foreign land is a significant experience.
I have always loved Los Angeles. You can check my quizzes or my digital security questions, my favorite city in the world. Why? I am about to discover. How did I get here?
Packing: I started packing around 6 months before the time. I had been taught by my late husband to take my time to pack. I have found it to work best for me. First it helps you to check if you have enough luggage, then it helps you pack whatever you think about as it comes up, from documents to spices, to toiletries, to medicine, to special items. It also helps you to start imagining the decor of where you may be living. The idea of packing keeps the vibration of the destination alive. It sends a message about where you are leaving from, to the people, to your children and to the environment.
Budget: Since we have not reached my ideal world, where the world has a single currency, thinking in terms of two currencies is important. If you are keen on managing or should I say 'disciplining' yourself on impulsive buying you need to start keeping money in two currencies. How you do this? Cash-passport or any other vehicle your bank may suggest.
Passport and Visa: Depending on your immigration or non-immigration status, this is one of the most important tasks to manage. If you are moving to a country that needs a visa, it is a pre-requisite. Keeping your passport safe and accessible can be challenging. Sometimes you might want to pack it with your luggage, but you need it. You need to make copies of your photo page for a variety of things you might need, like an international driver's licence obtainable at Travel Centre in SA.
Luggage & Weight. Now this might seems mundane, but when your perfume or favorite body lotion is thrown into an airport dustbin it is no laughing matter. It is frustrating also when there are items like your favorite throw (blanket) which are outside your luggage and the air hostess requires you to put it inside a full suitcase. What about those picture frames of your loved ones? Packing shoes and books can also be a challenge, so all this needs planning and coordination. The size of your carry-on luggage counts, especially with technology. You do not want to lose or leave that.
Notes and Google: Ever heard people say "Google is your friend"? No where, google has ever been your friend like when you move into a foreign land. What about language? That too. Write everything. Scenarios. To do list. Comparisons. Adverts. Contact details. You will need them. Time zones is another thing. If you have to start communicating with some people at your destination, acquaint yourself with that early on. If you are travelling with children, check the schools, commuting, medicines, proximity of clinics and recreation centres. Is church important to you? Write down.
Airline and air-route: Study your route. Is there a lay off time somewhere? How will the weather be like? Do you have a charger? What are the conditions for the airport lounges? If you have children? Upon arrival, have loose cash in case you need to pay for the cart. Or you may have porters that need to be paid. Have a sense about ground transportation, to the car rental, a hotel shuttle or Uber?
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