My packing suggestions for an adoption trip to Ethiopia
February 19, 2009 at 5:19 pm 7 comments
Here is what we packed for our trip to Ethiopia. Logistically, we checked 3 suitcases/ Rubbermaid containers of donations and one suitcase that had our items in it. We also carried on 4 bags– a hiking day pack, a school-type backpack that doubled as our diaper bag in country, a camera bag, and a carry on suitcase that had enough of Abram’s stuff to get us through if we lost our luggage. We packed our carry on bags in a way that would allow us to be prepared if our luggage was lost. Turns out that was a good strategy because our luggage got to Ethiopia a day and a half after us (although we suspect that this was more our fault than the airlines. If you are flying Emirates with an overnight layover in Dubai, let me know and I’ll give you the spill on how to make sure your luggage shows up).
Here is how I have organized these lists for your use. Things are sorted categorically (medical, baby, etc. If we used it en route or in country, I have bolded it. If I packed it in our carry on luggage, I have written CO after the item. Hope this is helpful. Let me know if you have any questions!
Medical
Regular prescriptions for the adults traveling + Cipro for each adult, Predniszone taper for me (based on my allergy tendencies). CO
Baby prescriptions-: antibiotic, scabies cream, ringworm cream (we would have used the antibiotic but he came with a round already started) CO
Neosporin+pain Bandaids
Hydrocortisone
Imodium AD CO
Peptobismal CO
Benadryl CO
Zyrtec CO
Mucinex D CO
Infant’s Tylenol CO
Excedrin Tension Headache CO
Tylenol CO
Lotrimin Cream for baby CO
Mylicon Gas Drops CO
Infant Thermometer CO
Pedialyte CO
Antibacterial Wipes CO
Baby Oragel CO
Nose Syringe CO
Infant Nail Clippers CO
Vaseline
Earplugs CO
Eye Shade CO
Nyquil/ Dayquil CO
Toiletries/ Electronics
Travel Alarm Clock (the baby was a sufficient alarm clock!)
Electric Converter CO
Ipod CO
Flashlights CO
Batteries CO
Flat Iron
Digital Camera, back up battery and sim card CO
Video Camera CO
Wet Wipes CO
Lotion (small bottle for carry on)
Kleenex CO
Travel Toilet Paper CO
Ponds Cleansing Cloths CO
Hand Sanitizer CO
Toothbrush/toothpaste CO
Travel Shampoo/ Conditioner/ Curl Cream CO
Comb (the one thing I totally forgot to put in our carry on)
Hair clips
Make Up
Soap/ body wash
Contacts, saline solution (travel size saline carry one) CO
Glasses CO
1 extra towel CO
Plastic Grocery Bags CO
Ziploc bags, various sizes CO
Shower flip flops CO
Lip Balm CO
Our Clothing
1 pair of closed-toe, solid shoes each (we wore them)
2 pants each
3 shirts each
1 yoga, hanging around the room outfit for me (long Capri pants, t-shirt, hoodie)
Socks
Something to sleep in
Underwear CO
Raincoat (Rosie)
Vest (BF)
We each carried on one change of clothes and our underwear for the week.
Sweet Baby A’s stuff
1.5 outfits per day (8) 4 in CO
1.5 pjs per day (8) 4 in CO
Socks some in carry on
1 pair of shoes CO
5 Bibs 3 in CO
5 burpcloths 3 in CO
2 blankets 1 in CO
1 crib sheet
Baby shampoo, lotion CO
Washcloths with soap CO
Diaper Rash Cream CO
Diaper Wipes some in CO
3 knitted caps 2 in CO
Playtex drop in bottles, bags, various nipple speeds CO
Dr. Brown’s bottles, nipples, various nipple speeds CO
Diapers
Formula some in CO
Age appropriate toys (2 rattles, soft book, 2 teething toys) some in CO
Baby Bjorn in CO
Sling (he hated the sling)
Head to Toe Fleece Outfit (we only used this when we landed back in the US and needed to switch terminals at JFK and then get to our car when we got home)
2 Sleepsacks 1 in CO
Pacifiers (2 different types) (he hated pacifiers. Spit them out when he realized they were not a source for formula)
Baby towel CO
Miscellaneous
Protein Bars some CO
Oatmeal Bars some CO
Shelled Pistachios some Co
Chocolate some CO
Gifts for carehouse and individuals some CO
Other Carry On Items
Deck of Cards
Books (I packed three and that was way too many. One would have been fine).
Notebook/pen
Embassy Paperwork
Other Paperwork (I bought an 11 pocket expandafile and labeled each pocket: travel, embassy, forms, general info, medical, baby, mementos, language, thank yous)
Magazines
Entry filed under: Life at Home. Tags: adoption, Ethiopia, Ethiopian adoption, international adoption, transracial adoption, travel.
1.
Betsy | February 20, 2009 at 9:50 am
This is incredible, thank you so much for putting this all down. Our court date is April 13th….. hope to use this information May/June. Thank you, Betsy
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3.
Lori | July 1, 2009 at 10:51 am
I’m looking at flying Emirates air as you did and would be interested in learning your “tip” for getting your luggage to Ethiopia on time. Also, did you fly back through Dubai and did you kid(s) need a visa to be in the airport?
Thanks!
4.
rosiemolinary | July 1, 2009 at 11:29 am
Lori,
How exciting! Likely, you will have an overnight layover in Dubai. You might be told by your travel agent to pick up your bags in Dubai and take them to the hotel with you for the overnight then recheck them the next day. When we arrived in Dubai, we asked about this three or four times and each time were reassured that we did not need to get our luggage, they would hold them safely overnight and put them on our morning flight to Addis. After a long flight, we were so relieved to be done with the bags and took the Emirates employees’ word for it. To be on the safe side, don’t do it. Take your bags with you that night and recheck them the next day. It’s the safest way to insure your luggage arrives in Ethiopia with you.
We did fly back through Dubai and no visa is needed with Emirates.
Best of luck to you!
5.
chris | January 2, 2010 at 11:43 pm
Hi
We’re leaving soon! via Emirates to Ethiopia! I was wondering how picky they are about carry ons? it’s hard to figure out on their web site…….I looked like when traveling economy, you can only carry on one thing?
Any help would be great!
Chris
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7.
Rachel N | June 26, 2010 at 1:12 pm
Thank you for your great tips. We are travelling soon to pick up a 2 year old boy and an 8 mos old girl. We are flying Emirates and I would like to take you up on your offer for advice on ensuring that our checked bags come through. Please email me at racheln00@gmail.com. Thanks so much!