Posts
Probably one of the greatest advantages of doing a Vacation Home Exchange is that there is usually (at least) a washing machine available to wash your clothes. Personally I am not crazy about hand washing, although it is certainly better for our clothes, so I will always opt for a machine where possible!
When I was in Paris with Snagglepuss , I learned how to operate a European washing machine, which is different from the ours here in the US. Hopefully your exchange family will have left directions on how to use their machine, as Angela did for me in Rome last August. She even had pictures! It is not, as “they” say, rocket science, but it is different, so be on the alert for that!
I have also come to feel very comfortable with a limited wardrobe to simplify things. Not only does this keep my luggage weight down, but also it makes it easier to figure out what I am going to wear! (KISS!) I have read enough articles about packing and coming home with clothing you never wear! I am fine with the black pants and variety of tops to get me through my trips.
And when all else fails, if you need another article of clothing, you CAN buy it along the way!
I am still delighted that last summer I managed for three months with one expandable suitcase; it measured 9 ½” X14” X22”, the smallest in the set of three! Originally I was using such a small suitcase because I had some flights on Ryanair, which requires your checked bag weigh less than 15 kilograms or about 33 pounds. Exceeding this caused a steep fine at the time. At this writing it appears that they are charging people 35 euros or roughly $50 per bag.
Most people use drying racks rather than driers, which, again, does save the wear and tear of our clothes. I’ve only traveled in the summer, when it has been easy to put the drying rack out in the sun. In the winter, I’d need to put the rack inside near the heating source and hope things would dry quickly! The pictures shows where we put the drying rack in St. Raphael, France.
I hope this has given you some ideas about clothing and laundry. My next post will look at possible disasters –both natural and man-made-when you are doing a Vacation Home Exchange!
did I forget to put a note about opening the drawer to empty the water from the dryer* in Paris? Was my third time w that style so might have taken it for granted.....sorry!
ReplyDelete* most dryers in Europe are stand alone and not connected to plumbing.
btw first thing I did on return to USA after decades overseas, was to give top loading washer and dryer to Habitat, buy front loading washer, put it in kitchen were donated dishwasher used to be, and buy a drying rack!
Good points about the differences between American and European washers and dryers. Most home exchangers will leave detailed instructions on how to operate all appliances (the manufacturers' manuals can be useful but many appliances seem to have little quirks that it's easier to explain in your information folder - a common one with our front loading washing machines seems to be 'If the light flashes and the machine doesn't start, give the door a good, firm push'.
ReplyDeleteSome of our members have mentioned that they offer bulky outdoor clothing to their exchange guests (e.g. rain boots and coats) to save them from having to pack such items on the off chance that they'll be needed.
Cheers
Thanks for this comments! I had forgotten that when I stayed in Venice last fall, there was a closet FULL of boots to protect us when the Acqua Alta siren went off!
ReplyDelete