Packing etc.

We leave today so it must be time to pack.  Turn on 'Eye of a Tiger', crank the volume and get ready for a packing montage!

Throw everything on the spare bed for a couple of weeks

Time to get serious, bags removed from pile, sort stuff

Cube up!

Done, one carry on, one personal bag

Me, when it all fit and the bag zipped.  VICTORY!

Ok, so I'm a bit over limit.  Carry on is supposed to be 18 kg, mine is 20.  Personal bag is supposed to be 3 kg, mine is 8, actually probably more since I haven't added my purse and camera.  hmm.  Lucky it isn't Air Canada. 

Update,  I took out that skirt, one book, a shirt (I'll wear a fourth layer on the plane).  That probably only equals less than one kg but it is all about the 'variance' of the scales at the check in counter (in case they make me weigh in).  Wish me luck.  

I'm sure I have lots of other stuff to update but I can't think of anything.  

One last thought before I go though.  I read over my first posts and remembered this trip all started with my wonderful Aunt Marilyn planning her family trip.  Well, I spent this weekend at her memorial.  She didn't get to go on that trip with her kids.  This makes me especially grateful that I get to take another trip with my mom.  Spend time with the special people in your lives, folks, it doesn't last forever.  

See you in a couple of days, beyond a couple of borders.  

To Do and/or Done

Things are moving along.  I got my scrubba.  I haven't tried it yet but I probably should.

I bought and took my Dukorol.  Still gross. Hopefully still effective.

I booked two days with a bird guide during my no visitors week.  I am pretty excited about that.  His name is Roque Antonio.  Here is our two day adventure as described in Roque Antonio's email:

Good to hear from you ! 

Yes !, the Birding tour is confirmed for February 3&4, On day # 1 we will meet at 6:00AM, At your hotel, Today we will do an introduction to the Birds of central Oaxaca,  we will first Birdwatch at valley thorn forest in search for the specialties of this area including species as: Dusky & Beautiful Hummingbird,  Bridled Sparrow,  Gray breasted Woodpecker,  Boucard's Wren,  White throated Towhee etc. 

Approx noon, we plan to be at high elevation pine/oak forest for lunch & continue Birdwatching at this elevation. 

The activity is all day. 

The return to Oaxaca city is after 4:00 PM. 

On Day # 2, we meet at same time 6:00AM, We will do a stop to get a preBirding breakfast to go at the OXXO, this day on AM & PM ,we will focus on target species as: Ocellated Thrasher, Slaty & Dwarf Vireo, Oaxaca Sparrow,  Chestnut sided Shrike Vireo,  Dwarf jay etc.

The return to Oaxaca city will be at 4:00PM.

Looking forward to hear from you!

Cheers!

I'm going to pretend a stop at the OXXO means a good day is ahead (basically a 7-11). Because I have no pictures, here is one of the 9000th OXXO being opened in Oaxaca. 

I checked out Aeromexico's baggage info.  I think my backpack will JUST meet the carry on allowance (for size, weight is another matter).  And I am allowed two carry on bags, so this should be a breeze. 

Each piece can measure up to 21.5 x 15.7 x 10 inches (55 x 40 x 25 cm).

Also, Aeromexico only seems to have two prohibited items.  Hoverboards and baby lions.  I JUST meet those restrictions as well (I have a jet pack and a full grown cheetah, those should be OK, right?)

I hemmed some summer clothes, a couple of tank tops (shortened the straps) and a skirt that I may not take and if I do, will never wear. I have also thrown some stuff in the general direction of my bag.  My version of pre-packing.  Gingy-Puss left me one last 'traveling as a cat-owner' goodbye gift before she died.  She puked up a furball on my backpack.  I was kind of sad to wash it away.  

Still left to do: Buy some pesos.  There's probably more than that, but that's all I can think of at the moment that isn't just normal stuff (banking, cleaning) accelerated a bit by the trip. 

Two weeks to go.