As we are T minus 7 days for our departure from California, first to Hawaii and then to Japan for the summer, we are learning a lot about how to prepare to be nomads for two months. So far, we are full of new lessons and adventures. To start with, Lil is learning how to write and edit a blog. This one. I am not sure how it is going, in so far as this is Lil’s blog post, but I think I am logged in as Jem. Confusing. Also, I am trying to learn a little Japanese. It is hard to learn a new language at age 48. My retention is close to nil. Thanks to Duolingo, I think I can say “vegetables” and “alcohol.” I don’t know why it chose to teach me those two words first. I would have thought “bathroom” and “where is” would be much more useful.
Lil and Jem are learning how to pack for a multi-month adventure within the 50 pound per suitcase limit. Normally, we take 50 pounds per suitcase for a week. Each. And a third suitcase, also 50 pounds, for the girls. Now we are going for many more weeks than that, and to climates cold and boiling hot, so we need a little bit of every kind of clothing. Learning to pack for many weeks under those constraints is a challenge.
Lil is learning how to travel with less than 5 pairs of shoes. I am down to 4. I don’t see how I do less, in so far as I need 1 nice pair, 1 closed toe pair and then flip flops. Since I love my flip flops, I am wearing 1 pair and taking a backup. So, that may be where I can reduce my shoes down by one more pair. No backup flip flops. But no way I can take less than 3 pairs.
Amalia and Sophie will have to learn how to travel with no stuffed animals (more realistically, since they take about 5 each, I am going to try and limit them to 1-2 each). I really want them to take no stuffed animals or toys because one of our first stops will be Tokyo DisneySea. Whatever room will be in our suitcase when we leave California will be gone by the end of that week — filled with Disney and Mickey T-shirts and toys.
Now I have to learn how to publish a blog post. (If you are reading this, then I think I can say success!)