Temporary Accommodation Kit
If you know you are going to stay in an hotel, you most likely have an idea of what to expect in term of services and space. Life gets better if you are staying in a serviced suite, while looking for your new home or waiting on your house to be ready, because you will need very little to be comfortable. The suites normally come equipped with a kitchen while cleaning is taken care of by the staff. This will allow you to have family meals and have a feeling of "being home".
Pack your suitcases as if going on holidays. Many clothes can be combined and interchanged, so you have a different look every day, but there is no need to carry around too much. Take items that do not require dry-cleaning. Laundry services might not be readily available. One or 2 slacks or skirts and different blouses or t-shirts can do wonders. If you know you have to attend official ceremonies be prepared in advance with clothing considered appropriate locally. Do not assume a smart attire from your own country will be considered elegant or appropriate in the new country. Depending on the climate, check which are the items you cannot do without. Never forget your bathing suit.
Take enough toiletries for you and your family to get by for a week or two, this will allow you the time to have had a look at local stores and find out what is available locally. If your brands are available, then you need to look no further, otherwise it is time to start trying out new things, maybe first alternating them with what you used before.
Remember, this is now the place you live in, going back home to shop for toiletries or other daily used items is not going to be neither an easy or a viable option long term. The sooner you and your family get used to try out new things, the better.
Do have the following with you: painkillers, band aids, sun care, and medicinal charcoal (in case of diarrhea. It can be used for pets as well). Should you find yourself in need of a doctor, refer to the hotel help desk, through business connection, or check Paguro to find out either through the community or through lists published, if there are doctors locally that speak your own language.
Allow each child to carry few of his/her favourite toys. This will help getting over the first lonely moments. Take plenty of colouring books and colours for smaller children, it will keep them busy. Do not forget books and music in your own language for you and the family, as books might not be easily available. Audio-books take less space in the suitcase.
Take your time to walk around the area with the kids, explain them all the new nice things they are about to experience and afterwards sit with them and ask them what do they think, which are the pros and cons of this new place in their opinion. Make sure to carry with you printouts from Paguro of “places to see”, “things to do” and all other interesting articles we compiled for you.
Create games around the new language terms useful to know to be polite towards local people.
One nice thing to do to get the mind off the buzz of the moving and relaxed around a known and soothing activity: "Play any of the favourite family game... so don’t forget it!
This makes the kids feel at home and cared for. And all of you will feel good! Most places offer facilities where children are been taken care of. Like pool parties for children, safaris for children and so on. Try to convince your children to participate.
If it is not school time yet, you may still try to contact the school asking them if it is possible to be put in touch with families locally or if there are any ongoing activities with the school you could be included in. There the children will probably soon make new friendships, which helps tremendously to overcome the initial isolation.
If you are taking pets with you, make sure they are assigned a place in the suite,not all temporary accomodation allow pets on their premises, so make sure of that before you arrive!) where they can
be undisturbed. Cats do need a cat litter.
Pets should have always plenty of fresh water. Bring a little bit of their favored food with you. Than soon switch to the local brands. Look at the ingredients and try to find something similar. Keep slowly mixing it with the food you brought along.
Do not feed the pets fresh meet!
Do not forget the leash and collar for both dogs and cats. Most countries oblige you to carry your pet on a leash. Apart from the fact, that you do not want to loose your pet either. (In some countries you may even need a muzzle for your dog, inform yourself upfront).
Walk your pets as often as possible so they do get exercise and get tired.
And don’t forget, the pets do feel the move as well, give them the care and attention they got at home or they will soon become either very sad or aggressive.