Well we have arrived in France!! It’s been a little over a week since we’ve been here. The dogs, Lily and Lucy and I have started to settle in our new “home” for the next seven weeks on the French Riviera.
The trip was filled with unexpected turns of events. The day before leaving I packed my suitcase four different times to make the required weight of 66 pounds. I was able to distribute the weight between two bags. Which by all standards would seem generous but it is amazing how quickly the weight adds up. Each and every time I rolled the clothes a bit tighter and reluctantly took something out to lighten the bag. I found the zippered packing cubes most helpful. I was able to pack by category, socks, underwear etc. The bags came in different sizes and were very compact. The packing bags can be found at most large retail stores or Amazon.
France here we come – Packing Details
Each time I repacked I slimmed down the suitcase even more which caused a bit of angst. It is very interesting the thought processes one goes through. Packing for 3 months or maybe longer makes one evaluate what is it that you really need and what is it that you just want to have. My son had a wonderful question for me when I told him about my packing dilemma . “Mom, don’t you think France will have sweaters?” Which gave me pause for thought and relieved some of the packing issues. I will live three months total in both places.
The first month and half will be in the French Riviera and the following month will be in a city in the Alps, Annecy. Essentially, I will need both summer and winter clothes. I had traveled to see my daughter earlier in the summer and brought along a suitcase packed with winter clothes, coats and some heavier items like books. That suitcase will be sent via Send My Bag to Annecy when I arrive. You can check them out at the link below. This service will pick up and deliver door to door for almost the same price as checking a bag.
https://www.instagram.com/sendmybag/?hl=en
After many checklists for the past months we are finally ready to start this journey. whew! My next post will detail the international flight with the dogs.
This quote rings so true looking back at all of the organization it took to get ready.
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step” Lao Tzu
Thanks for being here,
-Soraya
Want to learn more about the start of my journey? Read my The Time Has Come To Move
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