Also last minute purchases and gifts. Important things that we need to carry instead of ship. Language learning books. The stuff we needed in Ohio our last week there, that's irrelevant now (looking at you house keys)
Plus what we wanted our first week here, gifts for new coworkers, our camping air mattresses and pillows: our safety net to insure any space is comfy, leftover toiletries that will soon fill our new bathroom but aren't necessary in a small hotel room.
Each day is a dance of organizing and tidying up the space before it all explodes again
Armed with a fully charged cell phone (thanks technology!) I venture out into the city. My explorations are equal parts wandering aimlessly and using the map to plot my general direction. Discovering beautiful markets, hidden parks and a general feel for my new city. I usually wander for a while then check in with the map, saving locations that I know I'll want to find again.
The need for sustenance is great motivation to step outside my comfort zone and try my emerging language skills. I followed this experience up by successfully making 3 purchases! The first vegetable I'd eaten in 48 hours, a $4 peach that tasted heavenly and fried meat. The lady at the meat shop was so patient and helpful, she talked me through my awkward Japanese. I celebrated the success with some white wine, also purchased with my newly discovered shopping skills!