Last post, I told you about the horror of not finding clothes and shoes, but I didn’t give you any context, which I should have done so that you could understand why that was even more frutrating than normally. So here’s the one and only context:
I’m leaving for Italy in a week and we’ll be staying there for eight days.
Now that changes some things, ain’t it? When you’re on a holiday in a warm country for eight days, you have to take quite a lot of stuff with you. I mean, T-shirts, pants, skirts for when it’s really hot and so on. Good shoes that you can wear all day long without feeling the urge to die straight away. I have these golden sneakers (but not of the big sneaker kind, more subtle), but I already have them for four years (can you imagine? they just keep on fitting, while I grew like 10 cm!) and my mother has a veto. I don’t really have dresses or skirts, by the way, that fit these shoes. And ballerina’s all day long, only the idea hurts me already. Maybe sandals. If the weather is really good.
But, what else to take with you when traveling? I’ll give you a list of stuff I take with me anyway:
* a big bag, for all the following stuff
* an umbrella; Italy is known for rainy weather when all Belgian schools move over there
* a ballpoint.
* another (plastic) bag, because you never, ever know
* scissors. Never underestimate scissors. They always come in handy. My father once forgot his razor blades, and he could use my scissors instead. Or when you buy new clothes over there, you can at least remove the price tag and wear it right away.
* a scarf. Although surrounded by nude paintings and sculptors, the Italiens freak out when they notice that you wear shorts. Be a good catholic girl and cover yourself.
* some knowledge of Italian and French. It’s quite well known that Italians don’t get why you can’t talk their language.
* battery charges for your camera, mobile phone and iPod. We’ll be spending lots of time in a bus, so music is needed.
* patience. Eight days with people, all getting tired and annoying. Have patience with them. Spare them of your sharpest tongue. Just put on your iPod (so don’t forget the charger!)
* tissues. It’s not because it’s a warm country, that you cannot get a cold.
* Tic tacs. Get refreshed. (That is Tic Tac, right?)
* The Belgian Elle. Because for less money, you have the Flemish AND Dutch version, which you might need when everyone around you is bitching because they’re tired.
* all logic stuff. ID, money, blahblah
* playcards. We are card game fans.
* sunglasses. Duh.
* makeup. To cover up your inferiority complex. (Dear Google translate, why do you seem so unreliable sometimes?)
* it might souns silly, but nail clippers. (Do you know what I mean?) For when your nials grow long, or you break one.
With this list, you will have packed half of what you really need. Congratulations!
No Blog Intended 
Lily
/ March 20, 2012Ohhh that’s exciting! I loved Italy but I never went to Rome! I need to go back! Post some pictures! 8 Days is a long time! You’ll have a lot of fun!
No Blog Intended
/ March 20, 2012I hope so! Your enthusiasm is contagious anyway ;). Come wih us! Who will mind?
Debra Kolkka
/ March 20, 2012It is not all that warm in Italy yet. We have had some warm sunny days, but the evenings and mornings can still be cool.
No Blog Intended
/ March 20, 2012No? Oh, my friends said it was 18°C… Does it get that warm during the day?
kaie w. bird
/ March 20, 2012Don’t forget to leave space in your luggage so that you can buy some nice Italian goodies!! That is the best part! = )
No Blog Intended
/ March 20, 2012I think so too :).
Hi Italy!
Bye money!
Ironyonhighheels
/ March 20, 2012Pah! Problem solved. A pair of jeans, two t-shirts, one pair of good shoes. one sweater, passport, wallet and money. Go shopping in Italy!! 😀 Great style, I imagine they do have cheap clothes – not only haute couture LOL
Either way it sounds like a great thing to do. Haven’t been to Italy yet, but a friend of mine was there – Rome and it sounds worth the trip! Have tons of fun.
No Blog Intended
/ March 20, 2012Thank you, Irony.
But I just dicsovered that we don’t have that much spare time… At least, if you want to eat. But hey, who needs food when you can get clothes? 😉
El Guapo
/ March 20, 2012Have a fantastic time!!!
Hopefully you’ll be so captivated by what you see that you won’t have time to worry about clothes at all!
No Blog Intended
/ March 21, 2012Probably :).
But still, there has to be a perfect balance between warm enough and not too warm, needed for a comfortable feeling. But I guess it will all turn out fine!
AgrippingLife
/ March 20, 2012I wish I was going! Packing can be stressful, but once you’re on your way it will be great!
Have a fantastic time, at least for all of us who are stuck at home : (
No Blog Intended
/ March 21, 2012Packing still gives you the feeling of looking forward to something, but unpacking is just… dull.
Oh, poor you. I’ll try to give you the feeling you were there, okay?
Michael Cargill
/ March 21, 2012Ah, the female dilemma of what to pack for holiday.
Hope you enjoy Italy. Try and find a typically Italian-looking fridge magnet and then photograph it for us when you get back.
No Blog Intended
/ March 21, 2012Ahaha, I will :). Give me your adress and I’ll send you one instead of a postcard.
Mooselicker
/ March 21, 2012Wow I’ve never been to Italy! But I did read Michael’s post from the view point of an Italian restaurant owner. You should read it again for some information.
Have a fun trip!
No Blog Intended
/ March 22, 2012I already wrote down some useful information from that post, no worries!
And thanks :).