What to bring?

Nine years ago when I began my own journey as an expat, I had a lot of difficulty packing. What to bring? I had visited Turkey many times, but this was different. What things would I need for my new life? Now as a mother and seasoned expat, I travel very differently than before. Even a short trip requires thought and preparation. With baggage restrictions in place on almost every airline, we all tend to worry about what to pack more than in the past. The list below is one I gave my friend and is based on my own personal experience and may not be reflective of the needs of everyone embarking on travel to a foreign country.

1) An eReader. So much of my precious baggage space was devoted to books. There are many English language bookstores in İstanbul, but they can be expensive and the selection is limited. An eReader will save you luggage space, and guarantee you access to many titles for an affordable price. My personal favorite is the Kindle, but mainly because I use Amazon frequently so was familiar with the system. I still love the feeling of an actual book in my hands, but have been able to grudgingly love my eReader.

2) Feminine products like the Diva Cup. I won’t go into detail about the mechanics. Products like this are environmentally friendly, but they are also a traveling woman’s best friend. We don’t need to devote so much of our precious luggage space to carrying these items, but can travel much more easily with one reusable item. A wise expat friend got me hooked on it last year, and I only wish I had discovered it earlier. Instead, I am passing on this recommendation to my fellow women travelers and expats.

3) A sling. As a mother, I obviously travel a lot with my child. Carrying my son has been made easier by using slings, my favorites being the Moby Wrap, The Ergo Carrier and the Ring Sling. The Moby is great for babies 1 year old and under because it does not need to be removed at airport security checks. For me, it was one of the more comfortable slings to wear while flying. The ring sling was easiest and most discrete to nurse in public in, and very easy to pack in a diaper bag or suitcase. The Ergo Carrier has lots of pockets and bags that can attach to the carrier that make city walking a breeze. İstanbul is not a stroller-friendly city, so the Ergo Carrier can be a lifesaver. It is also the most comfortable on your body, and a child can be carried in it until quite big. Our son is 2 now and still rides in it easily. It folds up nicely to pack in a bag, too. Available for purchase in the US and online, you also have access to the many accessories, many of which are very helpful for İstanbul living.

4) An umbrella stroller. These are pretty cheap in the US, and pretty basic. They fold up to about the size of a large umbrella and are pretty light. We usually travel with both the Ergo Carrier and the umbrella stroller, and use both interchangeably. The umbrella stroller can be folded with one hand and quickly, so is great when having to navigate a staircase when an elevator is nowhere in sight. I can hold my son in one arm and fold the stroller with the other.

5) A CARES belt. This is a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified seatbelt that attaches to the airline lap belt and provides extra security for your child during flight. We don’t usually fly with a car seat; we prefer to rent one at our destination. Besides the safety benefits, this belt gives the seat a car seat feel with the shoulder belts. My toddler acts like he is in the car with this belt on, and stays in the seat without protest. It wraps up small and is very easy to pack, and has been worth every penny of the steep price we paid for it.

6) Online storage. Whether moving or just traveling for a length of time, we try and have most pictures and some documents stored online. Basic things such as medicine dosage charts, vaccination records and pertinent medical information I take pictures of and store either on my phone or in my email account for quick reference rather than carrying paper copies.

7) An iPad. This device seems to keep every member of the family entertained in some way. It is ideal to pull it out especially for long plane trips or while stuck in traffic. Easy to store and use, it is another item that besides its other merits has made traveling loads easier.

8) A basic first-aid kit. I have a tiny kit I can carry in my purse, and it has been invaluable. It contains a few bandages of various sizes, some antibacterial cream and some tissues. It’s not enough for an emergency, but great for the blister that pops up after an unplanned walk when public transportation is full, or when my son falls and scrapes his knee. As a city dweller, I find these kinds of mishaps are common.

9) A small umbrella. I have a travel tote umbrella, also small enough to carry in my purse. İstanbul is a city that can experience significant weather changes throughout the day. Days that start out sunny can be interspersed with cloudbursts. I learned early on to always have my umbrella handy, even in the sunniest, hottest weather.

10) Water and a snack. It sounds silly, but I always carry a bottle of water and a snack wherever I go. Carrying water reminds me to drink and stay hydrated, and also to keep my child hydrated, too. I love the sport bottles, which are better for the environment and can be reused. In cities like İstanbul, traffic and other delays are frequent, so it’s good to have something to drink and nibble on just in case.

The above list is just a few of the many items that have made our travels and life here easier. When traveling back home to the US, we try to rent necessary equipment like car seats rather than lug our own back and forth across the Atlantic. We also learn to make do without other necessities. Instead of buying a high chair at our destination, we feed our son on our laps or propped up on cushions. We take versatile clothing, such as skirts or pants that can be used for casual or formal occasions. I used to go on major shopping splurges when I would visit my parents in the US, but now am more careful regarding my purchases. I try and limit things to what I need instead of what I want. Vitamins and other still hard-to-find items I bring back in large quantities to get me through until my next visit. What other items or tips can you share that have made travel or moving abroad easier for you?

Elle Loftis is an American expat, writer and mother living in İstanbul. Reach her at e.loftis@todayszaman.com for comments or questions.