travel iron, fan, pillow

[paint]

So I have abandoned my plan to be a tourist in Europe this summer because I've gotten a summer teaching job offer I couldn't pass up, so I need to adjust my packing list... and wonder if any of you could help me. I leave June 9 and return August 27 and am limited to 2 soft suitcases and whatever airline weight restrictions are in place in June. I'll have a bare-bones uninsulated room with a bed, dresser, sink, toilet, shower, 2 windows, 3 power outlets, and a small closet.

I think I have most of what I will need but I don't have a packable iron, fan, book light, or pillow. Any suggestions? I won't have access to these things unless I take them with me... they need to be small enough for my suitcase... and they should be sturdy enough that the airline won't crush them.

Also, do you think it is ok to take a suitcase or 2, or should I take a backpack? If I take any day-trips I'll leave my stuff in my room.

Any input welcome.

- Paint

[Jules80]

where are you going and why can't you buy these items once there second hand? you're gonna have problems with voltage conversion even if you could find them small enough. i don't think i've ever seen a travel iron... do they exist?

jules

[WillTravel]

Maybe you should get a sleeping bag that folds down small and a liner. I'm thinking that if your room is uninsulated, it might be cold at night, and this is easier than dragging sheets and blankets. You could buy the pillow there, but some people have some good travel pillows.

I think that if you are there for almost three months, you will want all the stuff you can fit into two suitcases (check these) and a smallish backpack (you can carry it on and use for short trips). Then you'll just have to arrange for a car to pick you up, or take a taxi.

I've heard of travel irons, but I'd do as Jules suggests and buy one there if you'll need it.

Congratulations on the job!

[paint]

I'll be working at a camp in the middle of nowhere so that is why I'll have to take everything with me - I won't be in a city, there is no public transportation, and I won't have a car. Room and board is included and we live at the camp where were work. I'd post the place but didn't know if that would qualify as advertising the company. ? I can pm that though I think. The majority of the other staff members will be from Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Russia, the Ukraine, and Kazakhstan. I couldn't manage the backpacking trip I wanted to do and I resist this opportunity... but many of my colleagues will be from the countries I had planned to explore - so does that almost count, somehow? Hmmm maybe I should continue trying to learn Czech - I still have all the teach-yourself courses I bought - and then try to my skills at the camp?

We only get one day off every 7-18 days so getting somewhere to buy things I'd rather not take up the room in my suitcase with would be difficult. I can take a taxi to town and then a bus to the nearest place with stores (an hour away), but that is expensive. I really don't want to be without a fan for hot days or something warm for cold nights, but I suppose I could try to borrow an iron or live with wrinkles...

The place suggested against sleeping bags because they would get pretty weird after 3 months... but is that where the liner comes in? Something removeable that I could wash? I agree with you WillTravel about hauling sheets and blankets. As for the daypack, the place gave me one :-) It is pretty nice but I have to reinforce the shoulder straps. I was planning on putting that in my suitcase and taking my own larger one as a carry-on with my laptop in it (they have free wireless Internet).

I found a fan but wonder how effective cloth blades are? Does anyone have personal experience with one of these? Would it cool a dorm-size room? Vornado FA1-0007-30 Zippi Desk Fan

Sorry if I'm babbling - I don't know how to do that. I appreciate the comments and suggstions :-)

[WillTravel]

I think this sounds like a great opportunity. You can't help but learn a lot. Maybe when you get your days off, you'll be able to share the taxi fare to town with other teachers which will help with expenses.

I think a sleeping bag with a liner or two that you wash weekly would be fine after three months, particularly if you take care to air it out now and then.

[Jules80]

another thought, if you will have wireless internet there, why not order an iron, fan and pillow online and have it shipped when you arrive? or order it a week before you leave? also if you're working at a camp, do you really care about wrinkles? i've been a camp counsellor before (i'm assuming that you'll be a counsellor and not admin) and i don't think i had much with me that i would iron in the first place! hmmm just re-reading the orignal post... you'll be teaching? at a camp? what country is this camp in?

Jules

[dumbdiety]

[staring at paint]
And your not posting where because? Some of us are interested!

[paint]

The camp is in New York (I know I know... "that's not in Europe!!!") but 90% of the staff are from Europe... and that is how I ended up here on guideforeurope.com in the first place. This is my fourth year there (but the first one flying - I moved in August) - which is why I had packing questions. I posted them here because I knew you all had experience packing for long-haul trips and figured someone would have suggestions. I didn't get much help from people who primarily travel domestically - most just said "just buy it all there."

Anyway I ended up at this site because my first year there I met several people from central Europe and booked a flight to visit them... [insert long story here]... and I eventually changed my trip from a visit to a solo backpacking thing. Some people go to work at this camp for the sole purpose of meeting people that they can stay with for free in various countries.

Jules - I am not a counsellor - hence the private single room and desire to be wrinkle-free. Also I want to look decent for side-trips... I'll be eligible for them this year because I am flying to camp and won't have a car. One trip is to Niagara Falls.

Why didn't I think of ordering stuff over the Internet??? *banging head on keyboard.* See, that is why I posted questions. I can think of simple answers myself. I'll need bedding and a pillow the first night, though... I have to take my own because I'm an American, even though I'm flying. I like WillTravel's sleeping bag solution - I had never heard of sleeping bag liners! I still need a pillow though.

I'll stop babbling now.

--Paint--

[dumbdiety]

We all babble here, you're no different. ;D
If you need a pillow on that first night, roll some clothes up into a shirt. Instant temp pillow.

[paint]

How about putting a sleeping bag and pillow in one of those space-saver plastic de-airing bags to save space in my suitcase?

[dumbdiety]

I've tried those. The only good ones are the ones that require a machine to suck the air out. Those ones that you roll up to push air out always pop on me. I gave up on those things.

[rhea]

ive seen a traveliron by KORJO for around $30