My "Just In Case" Packing List -part 1

Sewing set - Not much, just a few threads and needles. Imagine you have a meeting tomorrow and one of the buttons of your best shirt is hanging loose. It will only take you 2 minutes to sew it back together so why not be prepared. I'm not taking any knitting utensils but you can do that if that's a hobby of yours. 

 

Mini tool box -  You won't be running around in a new city or country looking for a hardware store to buy a screwdriver. Can you even tell how a screwdriver is called in your new language? I'm taking one screwdriver with several screw heads, pliers, a Swiss knife, scotch-tape (including double sided scotch).

 
Medicine - By this I mean over the counter medicine that I know will have a good effect for me.  Remember that it might take some time to get medical insurance and to find a good physician who speaks a common language with you. Make sure you have emergency medicine for headache, toothache, digestive problems and allergies. Also make sure that you don't need to declare that medicine at the customs or that you have a valid prescription for it in case you do.  Nobody cares if you're carrying aspirin in your purse, but they will want you to declare opiate-based medicine, for example. Check for this type of information on the embassy or consulate website if you're traveling abroad.
 
To be continued

* picture from Amazon 

The Impromptu Guide

On my way to the library last week I took a detour to sit on a bench and munch on a cereal bar. It was a spur of the moment decision because the weather was so nice and sunny, although quite chilly, and I hadn't been to that bench alley in years. Although I frequently pass by, I never stop. And the benches were put there just a few months ago.

Today I stopped and sat on a bench by the river. There were a lot of seagulls and colorful ducks. And I do mean a lot. You could almost believe you were at the seaside, what with all the breeze, the noise of the birds and the saline smell. I could tell it wasn't just me who was pleasantly surprised by the scenery, 'cause people were stopping to take pictures, most of them with their phones. I live in such a busy and crowded city that people hardly ever stop to smell the roses, or in this case immortalize the seagulls.

The task for today was to go to the library, re-read my thesis, and pull out a chunk of it to use as a writing sample. So I pulled the thesis out of my bag and started reading it.

I had been reading for about 10 minutes when an older (60-ish) couple sat by me on the bench. My first instinct was to be a bit annoyed, because of all the row of benches on that alley they chose mine (yes, I do get possessive about this, mostly because I like my privacy).

They stared for a few seconds at my thesis (which is in English) that I was holding on my knees and then asked me for directions in English. They were asking for directions to a part of the city that was relatively close but quite difficult to get to due to a huge intersection and various traffic lights. I tried to show them how to get there on the map that they were carrying. Then I started waving my hands left and right, showing them "in field". Then I drew it on their map with a pencil. They really couldn't understand it and I was out of ways to explain it to the tourist lady (the husband didn't speak English).

"Do you want me to walk you there?" I asked. I don't know where that came from, but it did.
"Sure, that would be great? That's so nice of you. Are you sure you're going that way?" the lady asked.
"Yeah, I am." I lied. "There's really no problem".

I wasn't going that way. I was planning to bask in the sun for another 30 minutes and then head for the subway. Yes, I was going in that direction, but not then and not on that route. Yet I really wanted to help them, they seemed genuinely nice ... and lost.

So we ended up walking together and talking for about 15 minutes. They were Greek tourists and had been to this city one time before.

I took them to where they wanted to go and we parted ways, not before them thanking me wholeheartedly. They were so grateful and I felt that I hadn't really done much.

I wish I find such helpful foreign strangers when I need them.

Soon, I hope.

My Relocating Resolutions

I am less than a year away from my move but I feel the need to start  thinking about my relocating resolutions. Much in the same way I set resolution at the beginning of the new year (half of which I accomplish and half of which I ditch along the year) I've decided to set some rules for  when I have to relocate next year.

 Here they are, in no particular order of importance:

1. I will get to know my new city as well as possible.

2. I will not jump to conclusions.

3. I will keep safe.

4. I will learn the local customs.

5. I will socialize, but will do so selectively.

6. I will do my best to represent my home country accurately .

7. I will use this experience to become more organized.

8. I will use this experience to procrastinate less.

I am sure that, in time, they will become more quantifiable but, for now, they express my intentions quite well.

5 Things Which Europe Is Not

We all see movies in which rich American teenagers take a year off after high school (or in college) to find themselves and for this purpose alone they "go to Europe". We are hardly ever shown what they do there, but one can only imagine that it is not museum-hopping. Rare are the occasions in which we get to see the other side, the Europeans, gazing at them as the teens stumble out of a bar right in the middle of the locals' rush hour to work.

If you want to avoid being that much-hated foreigner, remember what Europe is not.

Europe is not:

1. A big country

Seriously, Europe is not a country. It is a continent. This means that it's comprising of several countries (think it's about the same number of states as the U.S.). It has several languages and different customs. Do your research, start with Wikipedia and read about half an hour a day a few weeks prior to your vacation or your European year. Learn a few basic facts about the places you'll be visiting (population, climate, customs, geography, important sights, cuisine).

2. A big bar

Europe is the hub of many civilizations, don't treat it like the Vegas Strip. Sure, you may be tempted to get wild if you are spending time with your friends in a foreign country, but save yourself the embarasement of only having 'drunk stories' to tell to your family back home.Use this trip to expand your horizons. How many of your friends back home would be able to say "I saw a Picasso up close". I know someone who spent her entire 10 day trip to Paris moving from one cafe to another, all in the same neighborhood as her hotel. She hadn't even seen the Eiffel Tower, and she was bragging about this. Don't be that ignorant.

3. A vacation spot

Imagine going to work in the morning and being assaulted by tourists, on a daily basis. You wouldn't like that, would you? Neither do dwellers of Paris, London, Berlin or Rome. Be sensitive towards your hosts, they live there. If a person is in a hurry to get to the office don't block their way on the escalator and don't steal their cab.

4. Just a hotchpotch

I cannot stress this enough: be aware of where you are. Don't say you love it here in Florence when you're actually in Venice. Don't compliment the Italian food when you're in a Lebanese restaurant. Don't say that the sales assistant speaks a lovely German when in fact they're speaking Dutch.

5. Heaven

Don't assume that unpleasant things can't happen just because Europe has a reputation for culture and refinement. Someone is bound to steal your wallet if you leave your backpack unattended. Always remain aware of your surroundings as tourist packed places are targeted by petty thieves. If you are alone, don't venture into the outskirts of the city and never carry all your money with you. Tell someone your plans for the day (a receptionist, or email home or leave a note in your hotel room) and always have an extra copy of your ID put somewhere safe.

The most important thing to remember is: use your common sense.