Archive for July, 2009

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Moving Abroad: Thai Visa Heaven

July 22, 2009

So I called the Thai consulate in Boston (Thailand Consulate 41 Union St. Boston, MA 02108 617-720-8424) and learned that I can get three 60 day visas — ie. 6 months worth of visas.  For FREE!  The have waived the fees for tourist visas for the time being.  Gotta love a country that wants tourists.  They were so lovely when I went in and I got 6 months worth of visas in 20 minutes, despite the fact that I neglected to fill out applications in advance or bring passport pics!  Love them!

By contrast, Russia wants $131 for 4-20 day turnaround for a 3 month single-entry, business visa.  Or $250 for 3 days.

Here’s China’s visa fee schedule — yup that’s right $130 even if you are going for a 10 day vacation:

Number of Entry

American

Citizens of other countries*

Single Entry

$130

$30

Double Entry

$130

$45

Multiple Entry for 6 Months

$130

$60

Multiple Entry for 12 Months

$130

$90

Multiple Entry for 24 Months

$130

$90

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Moving Abroad: Donating and Disbursing Furniture, Books, etc…

July 22, 2009

A friend of mine told me that I should make a short list of the places that I donated/sold to.   My goal in packing up was to 1. throw nothing away 2. put as little as possible in my parents’ attic.  It took time — several months actually.  Happily, we’ve put almost nothing out on the curb as a result. And I am sitting on the floor as I write this:)

Here’s where I farmed this stuff out to:

Karen Refugees in Worcester= Household Stuff, Furniture (Look around for refugee agencies in your area — they are in great need)

My Pregnant Friend= Baby Stuff, Equipment, Baby Books (So happy that my little wanderers’ high chair etc… will be used by the little Yorkas)

WanderBoy’s (Home) Daycare= Toys, Russian Books,  Paper Supplies

Garage Sale= Household, Books, Clothes, Kid Stuff, Computers (made $350)

Amazon.com= Books (made $350)

Ebay.com= Computers (made $500)

Craigslist= Electronics, Baby Stroller, Bumbo, Swing ($400)

Goodwill= Adult clothes, Household Items, Christmas Stuff

Cradles to Crayons= Toys, Children’s Clothes, Baby Equipment (Swings, Exersaucers, etc…)

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Weather Averages in Shenzhen

July 21, 2009
Monthly averages
January Avg low: 55° Avg hi: 67° Avg precip: 0.83 in
February Avg low: 56° Avg hi: 67° Avg precip: 1.3 in
March Avg low: 62° Avg hi: 72° Avg precip: 1.76 in
April Avg low: 69° Avg hi: 79° Avg precip: 4.43 in
May Avg low: 74° Avg hi: 85° Avg precip: 6.24 in
June Avg low: 78° Avg hi: 88° Avg precip: 9.35 in
July Avg low: 79° Avg hi: 90° Avg precip: 9.93 in
August Avg low: 79° Avg hi: 90° Avg precip: 11.09 in
September Avg low: 77° Avg hi: 88° Avg precip: 6.52 in
October Avg low: 72° Avg hi: 85° Avg precip: 1.62 in
November Avg low: 64° Avg hi: 78° Avg precip: 0.86 in
December Avg low: 56° Avg hi: 71° Avg precip: 0.84 in

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Travel with Kids: Exergen Temporal Thermometer

July 14, 2009

My friend raves about this thermometer, which I just bought from, gasp, Walmart.  It was $35 with shipping.  My second purchase from Walmart since 2004 –but it was $20 cheaper than Walgreens and BabiesRUs.  Costco if you have a membership also about $35.

The thermometer works by scanning it over the child’s forehead.  I like this since rectal temping is out and we will be checking temps alot while travelling to make sure that nothing is up.  Hope it is as good as the reviews say it is!

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Travel with Kids: Patagonia Clearance

July 13, 2009

We decided to buy nice jackets for the kids, since we are bringing very little and warm layers are hard to come by in hot climes.  Usually I am very cheap but quality items that will hold up are worth their weight in our limited luggage.

A friend of mine told me to check out the web specials on the Patagonia site.  For WanderGirl I bought the Baby Synchilla Plush in green for $27.50.  For WanderBoy I scrolled and scrolled to page 14 of the special for the Kid’s Fleece Synchilla in blue for $39.00.

I have never spent so much money on the kids but durability is important.

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Travel with Kids: Immunizations

July 12, 2009

So we went to the travel clinic at MGH to see which immunizations need to be done before departure.  The visit was hell.  Thank God I brought WanderPapa because we waited for SO LONG and then the slow talking doctor was a bit too thorough.  But I am very glad to have all the information.

Results: WanderBoy and Girl got Thypoid shots and I (who cares really about me)  got Rabies, Thypoid and Tetnus.   We will all take malaria meds.  Japanese Encephilits immunization shots will be given in Russia.  My poor pin cushion babies.  But it’s all about precautions.

Regarding Dengue Fever he said it is almost never fatal — you need to seek treatment as soon as symptoms (fever, flu-symptoms) present.  For prevention: wear long sleeves/pants as much as possible, sleep under malaria nets and wear DEET.  We plan to get an air conditioner for the kid’s room.  The doc said that air conditioners are the reason malaria has been wiped out in many places.

We are thinking of  bringing the Exergen Temporal Thermometer.  That way we can non-invasively check temps on a daily basis and nip any problems in the bud.  Anyone know about this thermometer?  I see mixed reviews but a friend recommended it.

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Moving Abroad: Relocation Agency Shenzhen

July 10, 2009

Since we are travelling with the kids and their needs will be challenging enough to deal with, it seems like it might be a good idea to have a bit of help on the ground when we arrive.  I found a relocation service in Shekou (Dial-an-Angel www.shekou.biz/introduction.html).  Not sure if they serve Shenzhen.  But it may be worth payinga bit more to understand what is written on my lease, etc…

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Moving Abroad: Blogs that have helped me

July 10, 2009

I love blogs!  This move abroad has been so much easier because people write about their own experiences.

For preparing for Shenzhen, www.startinchina.com is a gem.  Great info on living and working in our future home.

The Newmans accounts of Shenzhen give great insight into life in Shenzhen. www.thenewmans.id.au.

Thanks to Andy for his snapshot of Mae Sot.  I’m pumped for the spa!  http://andydaniels.blogspot.com/2009/02/i-really-like-mae-sot.html

Then the spa was great.  It is a bit rustic but all the essentials are there.  The spa is a very hot steam room with a lot of herbal sents in the steam (hotter than the steam room at Banya, and one for girls and one for boys, of course).  Then outside there were lots of benches to chill on, some work out equipment, a place to pour cold water over you, and some herbal tea.  It was a really pleasent experience.  I spent about 2.5 hours there and was the only farang besides one guy who came and left very fast, actually I seemed to stay there longer than anyone.

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