This was our first trip outside our country. When my husband was posted as a part of a project team we looked forward to his foreign posting. He had to move to a lot of places in China and Asia for he was responsible for the project implementation at several sites in that region.

First time foreign travel is always very adventurous for we do not have an inkling of what it is going to be like. Going to an alien culture and trying to live there is a different ball game altogether. The funniest thing is to find yourself amidst neighbors who do not share a common language with you. We do not understand Chinese and they could not understand our native language or even English. Therefore after a few minutes and several attempts at making conversation you stop trying further and then make efforts to use sign language to ask for directions or for things which are very essential. Your communication then is restricted to essentials and there is no way to get to know the other person or his culture. A few weeks in a foreign location, things begin to sink in. When you go to the shops you find yourself at large because everything is new and you are not able to make sense out of anything. Packaged items do not give you inkling as to what is inside and you are unable to read the foreign language. But then going to the vegetable market or the meat stalls is much easier. You can see what is the ware and select what you want. But then the rest of the ingredients for cooking like spices and seasoning are all totally different. It takes a while for the smell and the food to settle down in your mind before you start venturing to taste the local food.

I am now planning to write a guide to all the women who happen to travel with their babies abroad the first time especially to China and other Asian countries. Ofcourse those women who are working in offices and travel on business are perhaps well aware of the realities or are given some kind of training to familiarize them with the local culture before being posted there. For those of us, the home makers having to find out and setting up our temporary homes is perhaps the most adventurous journey.

If you happen to have small baby when you go abroad, your job gets more complicated. It is always better to carry all the food stuff for the baby along with you and ensure you take enough quantity to cover the entire period of your stay however long it is. You will surely take time to understand how to shop there and it could take several weeks for you to figure out things.

The other most important thing for you to pack is a medicine kit. Make a list of al the medicines that you will need for the entire length of your stay and for the entire family. Babie’s medicines should include some of the antibiotics as well as syrups and other medicines which his doctor is likely to advise you to carry. Then there are the daily vitamins and pills that you and your husband would need. Besides make sure you order sufficient quantities of antibiotics like Zithromax as well as other general medicines like Brufen, Tylenol and specific medicines if any. You can order these medicines online just a week before you leave your country so that you are able to get fresh stocks. Spend a little time with your doctor and make a list of symptoms and complaints and the relevant medicines that can be taken. This will help you to manage the health of your family in the first instance without having to rush to find a local doctor who can understand you.

Last but not the least, keep a diary of all the things that you have noticed, learnt , seen and observed and share it on the internet with others so that your experience can be of help to others in similar situations.