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Sankirtana Kumar Tharamel

August 24th, 2022

6 Things to Bring to London From Your Country

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Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Sankirtana Kumar Tharamel

August 24th, 2022

6 Things to Bring to London From Your Country

0 comments

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Planning to relocate, even if temporarily, to a new country is accompanied by a barrage of advice. Starting from packing lists, to what to wear, to what to say, the “pearls of wisdom” are innumerable. The only suggestion I would make is to keep it simple and only pack what you absolutely require. What this means is that if the item is very expensive in London as compared to your hometown, or you need it before you figure your way around London and spot places where you might acquire it, pack it. If not, don’t. This article is a short version of a few things I decided to carry on despite my burgeoning suitcase, filling up to the brim.

The beauty of a city like London is that it consists of multiple avenues from where you can purchase items that remind you of home. In my case, this included spice blends (“masalas” as we call them in India), flatbreads/naans, etc. So, note that none of the items on this list are unavailable in London. They are just things that you might need urgently right after your arrival, or ones that might be a lot of expensive here than in your home country.

 

1) Homemade spice blends/other utilities

I personally needed this for my isolation period and knew that quality stuff will not be available in just any and every store in London, so I packed some of them. Some of these homemade (read “mother-made”) concoctions are absolutely irreplaceable in my opinion and so needed to come with me. Pick a few of those must-haves and bring them in limited quantities.

 

2) An umbrella

You must have heard this one all around, and there’s a reason for that. London’s unpredictable and temperamental climatic conditions require one to carry around a waterproof windbreaker or umbrella at all times. A sturdy umbrella to accompany you right from the get-go is important. Some people prefer to buy one here once they arrive but given that the governmental norm required me to quarantine, it was quintessential that I have an umbrella on hand. And boy was it helpful! The first day after quarantine welcomed me with a raid of heavy rain. Remember that the winds are quite strong and so a flimsy one will not stand the test of time. So remember to invest in a good quality one.

 

3) Power adapters

As with any travels abroad, remember to carry a power adapter that serves your power requirements. This should cater to your laptop, mobile phone, tablet, and any other device you may carry. The UK power supply is a 230V AC supply at 50Hz. So, ensure that your appliances and adapter operate at these values. And remember: two is one and one is none. Always carry a spare of important items (that you will find harder to replace) to London.

 

4) Neck scarf/muffler

A crucial piece of advice that I received. The weather drops at a moment’s notice and so it is better to be prepared. Although you will find quality ones in London, I found it cheaper to find good quality stuff in India. I arrived well prepared and boy was it in time! The tropical country of India did not prepare me for this cold climate and so the muffler truly helped me adjust.

 

5) Alarm clock

Well, depending on when you arrive, you might find the need to wake up early almost as soon as you get here. Depending on the phone’s alarm is like placing all your eggs in one basket. I cannot recall the number of times it powered off or I just forgot to turn on my alarm. An alarm clock solves this tiny hiccup. It serves as a handy backup and also a make-shift “wall clock”. Call me an old soul, but something about looking at the time in an analogous format hits differently!

 

6) Medicine

Ah, now here is a crucial one. Remember that the health system in London may be different from the one back home. So it is important that you carry any long-term daily medication with you for at least the first few months (T&Cs Apply). Remember to check your visa and the UK governmental guidelines before you decide on the list of medication you are allowed to take and to consult your physician before you make your final call.

 

That’s it, folks! Now, these are the items that I thought were crucial for me based on the numerous conversations I had. Your case might be different based on your geography, your needs and where you will be staying once in London. But the principle of making space in your luggage, not overpacking, “two is one and one is none” all still apply no matter where you are coming from.

I hope this gave you some preliminary thoughts on what you want to prioritize packing. Bon voyage!

About the author

Sankirtana Kumar Tharamel

Hi! I am Sanku. You will mostly find me dancing my legs off, pouring over a book, or just deeply engaged in conversation. An engineering graduate and STEM girl at heart, I have been exploring the development sector for greater than half a decade now, and hope to continue this line of work after my MSc in Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Posted In: London life | Student life

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