Reality of travelling in China

Ok...now that I'm packing for my trip into countryside China...REALITY is setting in fast!

1) Extra sheets, towels and pillow for hotel and village home - CHECK
This is actually something the chinese women suggested because the hotels can't be trusted to thoroughly clean the bedding...especially the more 'rural' you get. In fact, the first hotel we had been planning to stay at for the first night, I was told very recently, has a little rat problem. So, we moved on to plan B...whatever that is.

2) Rain GEAR - CHECK
It's supposed to be raining during our trip, so we were told to bring ALL our rain gear and sturdy shoes for walking through the mud. Gear? I have a rain coat...hope that's enough!

3) Snacks, a.k.a. FOOD for us expats - CHECK
I plan to eat lightly and I thank the stars I had bought plenty of snack material on my last rip to the US. We are venturing into countryside China...all meals are VERY authentic...a.k.a. may or may NOT be palatable for us expats. I had thought there would be rice aplenty on our last trip into the countryside...but, surprisingly, we didn't see ONE speck of rice for any of the meals! What's up with that?

4) Water! - CHECK
Even the chinese women will be bringing plenty of water...which means that the water can't be too trusted where we are going. Does that mean no tea for me? Uh...no tea...no rice...well, that pretty much eliminates a lot of my eating possibilities for the countryside. haha

5) Extra batteries - CHECK
It's no secret that anything you buy here in China, that was made for this market, will be a piece of crap...batteries included. So, we were all advised to bring PLENTY of batteries! My bag is getting pretty heavy by this point...

6) 1st Aid Kit - CHECK
Wouldn't want to be caught in such a rural area without any personal care accoutrements.

7) Pain relievers - CHECK
Ok, well, if the beds are going to be 'hard as nails'...which they WILL...then we were advised to bring plenty of pain relievers. Ugh...I'm getting stiff just thinking about it.

8) LOTS of kleenex and/or toilet paper - CHECK
For obvious reasons. I think it's way too much to hope for that I'll encounter a western toilet in any of the places we'll be visiting...hotels, village house, included.

9) Book - CHECK
I doubt that a nightlife even exists where we are going and I imagine that once it gets dark, people go to bed. So, the night owls in our group were advised to bring a book. haha

10) Camera! - CHECK
This IS the reason for this trip...it would be JUST like me to forget the most important item on the list, while hauling all the other crap!

And let's not forget all the other 'miscellaneous' items, such as, sunglasses, power cords, cell phone, money, passport, Pj's, personal care products, creams, lotions, soap, antibacterial spray, hand warmer, change of clothes, ETC!

Ok...so. For a two day trip, it looks like I'm STILL packing half my house! Ugh! I was hoping to travel light and fancy free...but, with the need to bring our own bedding, food, drinks, etc...what the H***!?

I think I remember saying something about the "adventure" being part of the lure? Well, it ALREADY is...and I think I spied some rapeseed flowers blooming on the side of the freeway here in Shanghai. So...

Too late...tickets have been bought! haha No, really...while I find the technicalities of this trip to be a bit of a burden, I'm confidant we'll see some great stuff as well as encounter lots more adventures. I'll post when I get back! ;-)