Kurt Groetsch @ OldTasty.com

These are the things I bring with me to China:

• $245 worth of vaccines (Hepatitis A, meningitis, typhoid, polio) and prescriptions (Lomotil, Cipro, cloroquinine) — I do this for you, Mom and Dad. Also, a bottle of melatonin to help me sleep on the plane and some Claritin to deal with the dusty Beijing air.
• Three “Spawn” figures and a Gorillaz DVD for Dongjia.
• My digital camera, two media cards, a USB card reader, three batteries and one battery recharger.
• Cell phone and charger.
• iPod, cable and headphones.
• Laptop, cordless mouse, power supply and adapters.
• Webcam and cable.
• Wallet, cash cards, passport, Chinese currency and travelers checks.
• And finally… clothes.

And now that all of these things are packed away, I’m off for Chicago via Amtrak! Time of departure: 12:00 noon tomorrow.