Shopping Before You Go

Before one moves to a foreign country one often makes a list of things they might need. Clothing is the first, closely followed by toiletries, then maybe a few house items, and finally food that might be missed. This is pretty much a good order of importance, depending on where you go. This is also a good order of importance of information you will need before you go as to whether or not you'll need it.

The first three items are really personal and often each person may have a completely difference idea as to what to bring. The fourth (food) is really a question mark for me. With all of the research I did before leaving for Greece I had the hardest time finding out if I should bring anything edible with me. If you ask people who've visited, in my case Greece, you'll find that you get many comments about restaurants and nothing about groceries. You'd think Greek Canadians would be the best help, but frankly I got mixed messaged from them.

So here's why I think Greek Canadians couldn't help me. In Canada we have a huge selection of foods to choose from, the US is pretty much the only place I've ever been with a larger variety. I'm not saying our food is better, there's just a gigantic variety. So people that move from one country, say Greece, will often find all of the foods that they enjoyed at home in the stores and some. However the opposite is not always true. In Greece for example maple syrup is pretty much an unknown item, olive oil is everywhere, however sesame oil is scarce. Many spices are also hard to find, even though saffron is sold by the kilo, and cheap.

I'm not putting the food selection of Greece down by any respect at all, I'm just saying that getting a comparative list of foods that are available all over the world would be great, however I think it might also be impossible.

Culture Shock or Foreign Service Shock

I'm living week three right now and I'm having a tough time deciding if my frustration and mood swings are from culture shock or from Foreign Service shock? See I know that culture shock comes from being in an environment where people don't understand you, and you often miss things from home. From what I've been told it can lead to some pretty rough emotional and physical problems. The thing is I think I might be suffering from something else.

My problems right now are more about dealing with issues that the average ex-pat would not have to deal with. Things like not doing any real shopping until my tax exemption card comes through, dealing with a spouse with a very hectic schedule that I'm often involved with, and waiting for long periods to get answers about things that I would normally handle myself. Worst of all, I've met a few other ex-pats from all over the world (including Canada) and they can't relate to my problems at all. They're all going through the normal culture shock issues and that makes me feel even more alienated. Many of my new ex-pat friends feel that my life is rather easy since I'm getting help from the embassy.

I know I said I wouldn't complain on this blog, and I'm not really. I'm just warning you that living abroad with the government appears to have very different problems then going abroad in the private sector.

The Pack Up Kit

One of the great mysteries about moving overseas is "the pack up kit". This is a selection of items that you can borrow before your sea shipment comes with your real stuff. Little is described about the pack up kit before you show up except the rumors you here. Most people describe the kit as a selection of dull knives and mismatched plates.

The pack up kit we received had a few mismatched plates and the knives weren't stellar (but I'm a bit of a knife snob). For the most part our kit was perfectly fine and it'll suit our needs until our stuff gets here. My concern is that I'm a little confused at this point as to what portion of our apartment is pack up kit, and what part is the furnishings (SQ's are generally furnished). So when our stuff gets here I'm sure there'll be a few shockers as to things that are staying and going.

My other concern deals with when we leave back to Canada. Are there pack up kits in Canada? What about furniture? I mean we leave and it takes us about 2 days to get back, our stuff takes about 3 to 4 weeks.

Identification

This is something we all think about but I for one didn't really understand. First of all there's the diplomatic passport. In the identification world it's got to be one of the coolest things one can have. I can't be modest about it at all, it's pretty neat. I am aware of the implications and responsibilities that go with it, but as an object it's just so cool. There are however many more things that require photos of me, since when I took my passport photo I needed 12 copies.

I understand that I'm also going to be getting some kind of Greek ID card that apparently offers free entrance into some museums and my tax free status. It kind of reminds me of an all day pass at a theme park. I'll be honest as far as ID goes all day passes at theme parks where pretty much the highest honor I'd been bestowed to this point. The other 10 photos I took for the passport folks are pretty much a mystery to me at this point. I'm sure records somewhere use them for some reason to keep track of me, but I'll never know for sure.

Spousal Employment

This can easily be one of the most contentious issues when it comes to moving abroad. In fact I've heard (rumor with no hard numbers) that the main reason people return early is because the spouse is unhappy, and that's often because they have no job.

Heading out on post right now I have decided to take the advice of the spousal employment officer Brad (a great guy). He himself is a spouse and has been on post many times. In some cases he worked on other occasions he didn't. His advice to me, "prepare for everything, expect nothing". By this he means, take advantage of all the training, and opportunities available, but don't freak out if you get to post and you end up not working (particularly at first).

My added advice to you before you go on post is explore the wonderful world of hobbies. Long before you go on post take up a hobby that you can do yourself. Go to an art store, buy a camera, get a musical instrument, anything that you can find mentally gratifying. Do this before you get on post because it may take a few tries to find something you like and it would be horrible to find out on post that you just don't have the fingers to play the violin.

The Movers

Movers and packers are frankly the only silver lining I've discovered in this whole posting ordeal. When your movers come the first tip I'd give you is be prepared. Prepared means have things organized is order of how you want them shipped. Have piles for sea, storage, and for the love of god hide everything you don't want moved. We had but one ordeal and we now have a telephone in storage that we wanted to take.

The other strange thing about movers is one I didn't expect. If you're not used to other people packing your stuff you may get a strange sense when they show up. I think the sensation comes from feeling useless (since you really don't do much while they're packing) and a sense of violation (because a bunch of strangers are touching your stuff). From what my movers told me:

A. Being around is good, but staying out of the way is also good. It may be boring for you, but at least your not packing and lifting.

B. They don't care about your stuff, it's just stuff and it means nothing to them except a weight and a shape.

C. You're leaving the country, they will never see you again, no matter how many strange toys they pack they're not going to send a letter to folks wherever you're moving to just to make you look like a weirdo.

Spread Sheet VS Inventory Software

For those of you starting out on your first post, I have one question for you, why are you reading this and not working on your inventory? It's pretty much the worst thing you'll have to do and it will take you 10 times longer to do than you think it might. If it's not your first posting and you're familiar with inventory then I have one question for you, why are you not updating your inventory with the latest purchases you've made?

The only other advice I can give on the subject of inventory does not come from experience as much as computer common sense and something I heard from another person. I heard that SERV regularly changes/updates the inventory software that they provide. The problem is I've also heard that the old saved inventory files do not work on newer software. You can pretty much figure out the problem already. SERV does however except inventory as a spreadsheet file, and spreadsheet files have not changed formating for more than 10 years and I don't think they will soon. So my advice is don't use their software and set up a spreadsheet yourself. Now if I get a good spreadsheet file that works well for inventory I'll post it on this blog.

Animals Abroad

So you've got a cute little pet and you can't live without them for the duration of your move abroad. This kind of attitude will get you many chuckles and off handed comments in this lifestyle. Most people think that "getting rid of a pet" is a logical solution when you move abroad. I disagree, and suggest you do a little research long before you head to the airport with your little friend in hand.

First of all if you happen to have a cat or a dog you're in pretty good shape, most airlines take these animals with a proper carrier. Most countries have clear rules about bringing cats and dogs into their country and a quick call to the embassy of the country you're being posted to will get you an answer.

Now if you happen to have a budgie or hamster that just can't be left behind, it's a whole new ball game. Many airlines are clear that they only take dogs and cats period, however I've found Swiss Air to be nice about flying my pet cockatiel to Europe.

Secondly many embassies have no idea what their importation rules might be on animals other than cats or dogs, and may choose not to be very helpful. The first thing you should do is contact CITES (http://www.thecre.com/fedlaw/legal2a/cites.htm) and get all the info you can on your pet. Next call these guys (613) 274 7473, CFIA, they'll tell you if there are any regulations and what kind of paperwork you might need.

If you have a vet you'll have to book an appointment with them before you leave (most of the time about 10 days before) to get a check up and the proper paper work. By the way if you happen to have a bird and no vet I recommend these fine folks (Lynwood Animal hospital (613) 820-0443.

The Costco Shop

There's this great idea that before you go on post you are entitled to items tax free and that your mover will come and pick them up for you before your move. Two things to know about this before you commit are your mover is not obliged to pick up anything for free, second, stores are not obliged to give you things tax free with your paperwork. So if it doesn't work out, then that's just the way it is.

The Costco shopping spree however is legendary and you'd think it would be easy, but there's one detail that can screw you over quick. I've learned that the only Costco to recognize the tax free status is the one located in Gatineau Quebec. I attempted to buy my groceries at an Ontario location and they had no idea what I was talking about. I called my movers and they suggested that I try the Gatineau location and it went like a charm. You don't have to set anything up, just shop, go to the cash with your paperwork and they'll do the rest.

Now my mover does pick ups with no additional cost on this particular shop, but I'm not sure if they all do, so check first.

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The idea behind this blog

The idea behind this blog is simple, it's a little help guide based off of my experience moving abroad with a foreign service officer in the Canadian government. The first rule of this blog is simple, it's not about complaining, it's about finding solutions. So no complaints about such and such a policy and why no one is helping you.

I'll quote the great Homer Simpson "You chose fruit, you get fruit" (he said this to Lisa with his hands full of ice cream cones). Basically if you choose the foreign service lifestyle you get the foreign service lifestyle, you take the good with the bad.