Thank goodness for Amazon Prime. With only 9 days left until we fly away, we have come up with a few things to add to the packing list and no time to hunt around for them locally. It’s almost magical to wake up during the night in a cold sweat because I just thought of something we can’t live without, order it via my iPhone app, and have a random assortment of items show up on my doorstep 2 days later. How do they do that? Here are my 9 necessities:
Mini Speakers – We will have an embarrassing amount of electronic devices – e-readers, iPads, a Nintendo 3DS, and at least one computer. As much as I want to be the mom who leads a rousing sing-a-long of 99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall, I’m not. There are some times when in order to keep everyone alive I need them to go watch a movie or play a game – educational of course. I’ve told them that all devices will switch to Spanish when we cross the border, so at least they’ll be practicing their español. But when two or more kids are trying to watch a movie on an iPad, we needed an external speaker so they don’t have to fight over proximity to the tiny sound hole. So one of my most favorite Amazon items is the set of 2 tiny speakers that recharge via the USB, and provide amazing sound quality! I love them!
Ball Bag – Yes, although we live less than a mile from 3 or 4 sources of soccer ball bags, I added them to my Amazon cart and saved myself a trip. I can’t wait to bag up our balls and take them to the orphanages. We ended up with 10 balls – all sponsored by various families. I’ll definitely post photos so you can see how much the kids love them!
Underwear – While I was able to find A LOT of underwear for the orphanage on super-sale at Children’s Place, we had to supplement for the larger sizes. The girls range in age from 3 to 19, with a 31YO mentally disabled girl too, so I’m assuming that some may need women’s sizes. I think we’ve got enough to accommodate everyone…who doesn’t love getting new undies??
Culotte Slip – When we had our madres trip to New York City in the 95-degree heat, I had enough experience with the Moroccan heat to pack my trusty culotte slip. I decided to add a shorter version to the Mexican packing list, and I found it in 2 seconds on Amazon, rather than spending hours traipsing around the ‘Ham in search of chafe-protection that didn’t involve “shapewear” (AKA garment that leaves you unable to breathe and causes you to contract a UTI because you’re so hesitant to pull it down in case you can’t get it back up).
Metamucil Wafers – Again, my Moroccan experience (and a sleepover with Aliya’s friend Victoria) taught me that these little magic cookies can reverse the gastrointestinal effects of an all-Mexican diet. Enough on that, but I ordered a 2-pack. They work!
Raincoats – There must be like a 2-week window in the spring when the stores are stocked up on raincoats, because it hasn’t been easy to find light-weight but waterproof raincoats for the kids. It’s the rainy season in SMA, which basically means a short shower or 2 each day (we hope). Our friends’ parents (I’ll just call them John and Carolyn because those are their names) told us that Mexicans don’t carry umbrellas…they just step into a doorway until the rain stops. I LOVE the idea that the rain isn’t going to keep us home, and we have the free time to stop and watch the rain, and maybe chat with other doorway-dwellers in my mangled Spanish.
Thermometer – I think our old thermometer was used to measure the temperature of a science experiment, so I threw one on the Amazon order. I’m hoping that we won’t need it, but just in case, we have Pepto-Bismol, Immodium, Motrin (adult and children’s), Benadryl, and antibiotics from the pediatrician. The pharmacy doesn’t mix the distilled water and powder, so we don’t have to refrigerate them until we need them. This worked well for past trips. We are all up to date on our shots – Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Tetanus, and the other typical US shots. The only time I’ve really gotten sick is after drinking a frozen drink in Zanzibar. That was ugly. We’re hoping for a doctor-free trip to Mexico, although this article almost makes me want to schedule a house call from Dr. Gorgeous.
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eadlamp – Call me crazy but I always carry a headlamp with me, and mine recently resurfaced without a strap. I may look like a coal miner, but I can use it to read, crochet, tip-toe to the tequila cabinet without waking the children, and lead us safely through the cobblestone streets after a Mexican fiesta.
Doors of San Miguel de Allende – Last year I took lots of door photos in Morocco and posted them on my work blog (www.iDigHardware.com). The editor of Doors & Hardware magazine asked to publish them as a photo essay, and it came out great! So imagine my excitement when I found out that San Miguel is know for its beautiful doors!!! There’s even a book about them, which I purchased in used condition via Amazon for literally 1 cent plus $3.99 shipping. I have another photo essay lined up with the magazine, and I can’t wait to get started!
I’m hoping that my purchases are complete…gotta save some pesos to buy a wardrobe of flowered skirts and a sombrero.