Packing Books to Jakarta

Every move seems to get more complicated. I know, I am an expert. In the last 13 years we have lived in 8 different countries and are about to go to number 9.  Furniture will take a beating, pictures usually arrive fine. Some glassware will break and some cloth will develop a smell. So how does one pack things that have a bit more sentimental value?

With regards to my camera equipment, I was able to carry a bunch over during a house hunting trip. I will now carry the rest with me on my actual leaving date. This only leaves some box cameras for packing. Each camera was packed in a ziplock bag with a silica gel drying package. Everything was put into a large bag and padlocked shut, kept at a friends house. This will keep them dry until I can pull them out.

With regards to my photography books, I have treated the same way. Each one is put into a large zip lock bag with a silica pack. They will each be wrapped in paper and then sealed in a new cardboard box. I will toss in a couple of silica packets in each box for good measure. Books can handle some temperature deviations however they do not handle moisture well. I am paranoid about keeping them dry as the smell of a fresh book is intoxicating to me.

I have other books, books which I read and give away which do not receive the attention my photography books get. While literature is interesting to me it does not fascinate me like photography books.  I will miss these a great deal while the take the slow trek from England to Indonesia.