Packing for China

So with about a week and a half before the big flight to China the packing begins. Yesterday I pulled down the suitcase and tried packing just to see what I could find and how much would fit. With the new laws the difficulty increases with packing. Of course this really only means stress and difficulties.
I have found that the best way to pack is to do it several times. Pack everything up, then unpack it and make a list of everything that went in, and everything that didnt. After several trials I should optimize the weight to stuff ratio.

So after a test pack I filled my luggage to 75% maximum weight capacity. Not bad, but I would prefer to carry less. But of course the opposite is true and I realized I forgot to pack many important things. It was a good thing it was only a trial run. Things I realized I forgot was the entire toiletries kit and socks. I also discovered a few things about my invetory. For one i have no cases to store anything, from sunglasses to toiletries. I need to track down my old camping gear and put the stuff sacks to good use.

I also discovered I have no cards, books, or paper. Cards are always an important thing to carry as everyone likes to play cards, books and paper are invaluable travel tools. I have no english-chinese dictionary or phrase book! Of all things to realize a few weeks before departure!

So to solve these problems I began to sit down and make my own phrase book. My personal favorite method is to use either notecards or small notebook, and write the words on each side of the card. This is great because it allows the cards to be flashed at someone else so they can read it and not have to rely on my pronouciation. This method worked well in japan, when i went to a restaurant and wanted fish and rice i showed the waiter the card for fish and another for rice, the rest was faith that what came out was rather close.

right now the main task is configuring the new zen. AH! bloody computers. I just purchased this new zen for the video function, after all what is there to do on long plane rides etc? Well sadly Creative changed its policy on players and the new zen only plays a few video formats, which is not a big deal except most things need to be converted. Again not a big deal to convert files but to find software to do it, my word it is nearly impossible. AFter a dozen programs i think i have one that works but i still have my fingers crossed.