questions.....

[alstoddard]

Okay...a couple more questions. Would you suggest buying hard-side suitcases? Or does it really matter? Also, how long will you be in the MTC? I've heard guesses anywhere from 5 weeks to 3 months so I am just curious. Thanx! Ü

[Brinton]

You'll be in the MTC 8-ish or so weeks.  Get ready to have Bulgarian rammed down your throat and consume your every waking hour....but it really is so much fun!!

As for suitcases, it's really a personal prefrence.  I took soft-sided that were a nesting set, and then a back pack as a carry on. I bought the set in 1995 and it finally fell apart last year.  They were the best $120 ever spent.   You  might find that hardsided suit cases cost more....a lot more too.

[dlwerden]

My son entered the MTC last Dec. and was there for nine weeks (it was supposed to be eight, but President Bennett was out of the country the week his group was originally scheduled to depart).  Regarding suitcases:  He felt that one of the best decisions he made was to bring a duffel bag as his "large" piece of luggage...his was just a regular duffel (from Eagle Creek) but I would opt for one with wheels    He liked the duffel because it was very lightweight as opposed to a suitcase (his bag was even underweight when everyone at the MTC was weighing their luggage and deciding what to send home because their bags were too heavy).  His second piece of luggage was soft sided & wheeled. 

[alstoddard]

Thanks for the imput! I really appreciate it!! I have some soft-side suitcases that would be okay but my parents were concerned with them holding up for the whole mission but it sounds like that wasn't a problem. Also, thanks for the info about the MTC. I hear different things from everyone so it's good to hear from people who acutally went to the mission! Thanks again!!

[Brinton]

I second the wheels.  Get something with wheels!  You will not regret it.  Also keep in mind that when you are transfering out in the field everything you own will need to fit into your bags, so leave a bit of room to grow, and you will have to manage all of your own luggage as well on a transfer, so  make sure you can strap it together, or carry it all by yourself.  You will also be getting a load of books at the MTC that you will need to account for and take with you to BG.  That was the thing that shocked me the most when I started my mission.  My bags were already bursting when I went in, then they handed me a big sack of books and I thought, "Where am I going to put these things?"  I did send stuff home from the MTC too to make room for the things that I would really need.

[alstoddard]

All good advice and very much appreciated! Ü

[Blindspot]

Yes wheels.  As for soft vs. hard, it's a toss up.  soft is lighter, hard protects your stuff better.  I travel often enough that I actually prefer hard luggage because my stuff doesn't get banged up and its easier to pack.

As for backpacks...they are not looked upon favorably in the mission.  (Actually, I think they've been banned for everyday use.)  Get a comfortable sling type bag, or wait to you get here and get one.  Backpacks are not allowed for tracting or anything like that because they carry with them (no pun intended) a stigma of transience and are non-professional.  You're not supposed to look like a student.  I would recommend having a backpack for grocery shopping purposes.  You just won't need one for missionary work. 

And remember, the secret to traveling well is traveling light.  Be prepared, but don't go overboard.  99% of the stuff you'll kit yourselves out with can be purchased here, and sometimes for less.  Stick to the recommendations and save your money till you can see what you really need when you get here.

[alstoddard]

Good to know. So I am wondering if there is some type of store like wal-mart or something where you can buy random things like contact solution and stuff like that. Is stuff pretty easy to find?

[Brinton]

THankf for clearing that up about back-packs Blindspot....

Another thing about backpacks, they are easy to pick pocket.  A couple of Elders I served with were picked clean on a bus one day.  They were totally oblivious to the fact and when they realized what had happened, the theives were long gone with everything they had.  When you are on a crowded, josteling bus you won't feel it if you are begin picked.

I always had a messenger/sling type purse I used.  When one would wear out I'd go to Tzym (the big department store in Sofia) and buy a new bag.

I only used my backpack when going overnight to Sofia, which we had to do on occasion, or when shopping, or on a P-day outing.

[Blindspot]

There is a Bulgarian manufacturer of backpacks and all sorts of bags.  They're decent quality and relatively cheap.

http://www.tashev.bg/


They are very popular with the missionaries.