next stop, nice

 
 

Well, it’s finally here! The annual pack up your lives and move to Europe. This year, we’ll be renting a place in Nice, France. This move has consisted of a lot of purging, major help from my parents and a 5x10 storage unit. The nice part about having this move planned so far in advance, is that we have plenty of time to say our goodbyes to friends and a city I’ve called home for the past five years. The hard part is that change is hard, the cycling season has already kicked off in Europe, and sometimes drawing out farewells can feel like slowly peeling the bandaid off.

With that in mind, we are coming to the end of organizing what feels like endless amounts of stuff we’ve accumulated over the past six months. Four suitcases, a bike bag, two carry-ons and two backpacks will have to suffice.

For the last two years, we have moved apartments or airbnb’s every six months. My friend was asking me what my non negotiables are and I thought I would share what makes any space feel like our own asap.

  1. picture frames-I travel with two super flat, gold-rimmed picture frames with photos from our wedding to put by our beds or on a shelf. Something about being able to see a familiar scene and family makes a foreign space quickly seem less intimidating.

  2. candle-I wish I could say I had room to travel with a nice smelling candle, but unfortunately these weight too much and I’m using that precious space to lug books and other bulky things so I usually find one once we arrive.

  3. jewelry dish-I always pack a little pinch dish to keep by the sink or bed to put my jewelry in at the end of the day. I love collecting them, but have also received a precious one that is now my go-to.

  4. film camera-I never check any of my cameras, but I tuck them throughout my carry-ons to distribute the weightiness of them. However, I always like to keep one within arm’s reach so that I can document the little details-chaotic amounts of bags, morning airplane light, and the first views we see when we arrive to a new place.

Oh, other little list…things I try to get done in America before getting to Europe

  • Native deodorant

  • American floss. iykyk

  • Haircut

  • Madewell jeans

Anyways, gotta get back to packing. See you in France! xf

Frances Chae