Preparing is a full time job.

I am missing a few steps up to this post like the tragic comedy that was getting visas on my own for 13 people at the Chinese Consulate in Houston.  Super fun times, but happy to report we all passed and have visas!

Now I’m scrambling to figure out what to pack and take and rules for what e take if any.  Of course there are rules for medication and vitamins:

Medicines

• The quantity of medicine foreign short-stay tourists are permitted to carry should be within a “reasonable amount for personal use”. 
• The quantity should be within a 7-day ration. Any exceeding the 7-day amount should be declared as cargo.

Tourists must provide written documentation from a medical institution to prove the necessity of the medicine. Customs will verify the amount of medicine the tourists needs according to the original prescription.  A copy of the prescription will be kept as documentary evidence of the inspection of the tourist. A prescription can only be used for one customs inspection. 

Yay rules!  I don’t even know what that means to declare more than 7 day supply as cargo??  Some of us traveling are old which means lots of prescription meds, asthma meds, inhalers and what not.  Sounds like we will be taking a shit ton of paperwork with us!

So what is the big deal with packing?  Packing is a challenge because we live in South Texas in fairly constant and mild temps all year.  My kids are in no way prepared to put on a jacket and pair or pants everyday (I know, sounds crazy, right?).  Mama has to start prepping them now, especially the 6 yr old dictator, to be prepared to pack and WEAR pants, a jacket and god forbid, maybe even a long sleeved shirt!  And of course I have to  take this opportunity to freshen up my wardrode as well.  All my clothes are either athletic wear for kid activities or work clothes.  Neither of which I want to be sporting around Shanghai in in my feeble attempt to be fashionable.

Next challenge this week in trip prep: finding an English-speaking babysitter in Shanghai.  That should be easy, right? hahahahahaha.