Well Prepared

Friday night I had dinner with my coworker T who is staying at the same
hotel as me. I boiled some tortellini and brought it to T's room where
he'd made a tomato and garlic sauce. We sat and watched Japanese
television on his laptop since he'd pre-recorded some programs to bring
with him overseas. T has been doing contracting work overseas for years
and years and has lived in Mexico, Senegal, Sudan, Djibouti and other
countries, some of which were for extended periods, such as when he
lived in Guatemala for two years and had his wife and children with him.
These days he is usually only overseas for a month at a time, but he has
become an expert on living abroad, having compiled all the gadgets and
worked out the little tricks that make overseas living comfortable. He
has a box of electronics such as adapters, cords, connectors and such
that he always keeps in his suitcase. In fact, there are a number of
things he simply keeps in a suitcase so he's always ready and doesn't
forget anything. He has a container full of pens, highlighters and
office supplies that he always takes overseas. He has work clothes made
of sturdy 100% cotton he bought specifically for overseas assignments
that he keeps packed. He also has a good collection of camping
equipment, including bowls and silverware, a gas burner and rice
cooker--all compact versions--that he brings with him so he can cook
when overseas, not to mention powdered green tea, rice, curry stock,
spices and other favorite ingredients. You could almost say suitcase is
an ultra-portable mobile home at his side. His years of honing this
preparation is quite impressive and he enjoyed sharing these little
tricks with me. Some may think it is difficult to always be "living out
of a suitcase", but T has learned to prepare himself to minimize that
feeling. His packing time is minimal, and when he's home in Japan he can
just put his suitcase aside. On the contrary, he seems at home no matter
where he is.