What+to+pack

= Packing =
 * I was told by my travel agent that I was allowed one 20kg bag and hand luggage only to find out I was allowed two 23kg bags and hand luggage (check with your airline). I wish I knew before I packed as I was carrying about 12 kgs of magazines and text books on my back to give to the Reitaku Mizunami school from students at JPC.
 * The school uniform, sports uniform, slippers, school socks and swimmers are supplied by the school so you don't have to worry about them but do take your black school shoes, joggers and a soft shoe or something that is easy to slip on (dunlop vollies). You will do your own laundry so make sure you have enough underwear to last the week. Make sure you take lots of clean socks (no holes).
 * Saturday is a school day which is a mufti day and Sunday is pupil free. So take clothes that you will be comfortable in. Jeans and tracksuit pants are good, however really short denim shorts and singlet tops are probably not acceptable, in fact never did I see someones shoulders uncovered wile I was there (I did take them just incase, but soon realised).
 * Take two towels - one for the bathroom and one for swimming. I took a microfibre camping type towel, worked extremely well takes up next to no room and dries very quickly.
 * Gifts, I took many gifts over with me for my new friends, host family and teachers. Eg Australian tea towels, packs of cards, Austalian key rings, nice writing paper etc
 * Take your own toiletries in small amounts, in order to save room in your bags. Once they are getting low, go shopping with some of your friends and let them know you need to buy shampoo, soap etc. I found the Jpanese people extremely helpful and friendly in situations like this, they will go out of their way to ensure that you get what you are after.
 * School work - I loaded what I could on my Netbook but also took many text books and my own stationary.
 * Take you school bag for use at Reitaku Mizunami. I used my school bag as my carry-on luggage bag whilst flying.

**Computer and Camera Stuff**
 * Card reader to download photos
 * Take batteries for you camera. I bought the expensive ones (designed for digital cameras - about $10 for 2 AA batteries) which will take about 1200 - 1500 photos. When they ran out I found if difficult to find replacements that worked longer than 5 minutes. Take spares or batteries that can be re-charged.
 * **Powerpoint Adapter** - I took the wrong one and my family had to send another one. The school doesn't seem to have any either. I have enclosed a picture as there are many different adapters and the one I needed was for my study cubicle to charge my Netbook and iPod. Most Japanese sockets are 2 pin only. Australian regulations require that a 2 pin Japanese adaptor can only accept a 2 pin Australian plug. This was a big problem when my Netbook is 3 pin so this is what I did and it took many weeks and a lot of frustration.

You need a: Step 1: Japanese 2 Pin Step 2: Australian 3 Pin Step 3: Make sure they can attach Step 4: Fully charged Netbook

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