Mile-high Shipping Costs

After having a lovely breakfast together, my dad and I went to the local swap meet to find things we don't really need. Well, that's only half true. I'm looking for another large suitcase. Nothing special, it can be used, dirty, whatever. I just need something with a zipper to get my immense supply of clothing to Perth. Fortunately I have my grandparents keeping their eyes open for me. We were able to find a small one but still keeping our fingers crossed for the really big ones! While perusing the aisles, I was a bit hesitant of buying a suitcase without having stopped by FedEx or UPS yet, but I didn't need to worry too much because in the end we didn't find anything anyway. On our way home I figured that was as good a time as any to get those international shipping quotes. First stop: UPS. Take a guess...just throw out a number...any number. You'll probably need to double it. They quoted me four hundred some-odd dollars to send a 16x16x16 box of approximately 30 pounds (which is probably on the low end of what it would actually weight)!! So with this number in mind we headed over to FedEx. I can't even say that it got better. With the same amount of weight, in a slightly bigger box, I was quoted five hundred thirty nine dollars!! I mean I get that they're taking a box half way around the world but, sheesh! So here's my last option, pay seventy dollars to take an extra bag with me on Air New Zealand. And I gotta tell ya, seventy dollars is actually looking pretty good right now! I think sometime soon I'm going to do a "practice" pack to see how much stuff I really have. I think I'm most worried about the random stuff I'd like to take with me like books, and shoes! I almost forgot about my shoes! They weigh a ton all together! Oh here come the worries, although I'm not really sure why. I do have about three large suitcases with Jamie's and mine combined so I'll probably have enough space. Hopefully! Maybe..? On another note, I said in my last post that I was going to figure out all the financial details next. The problem is, I'm having a hard time figuring out exactly what I'm looking for! Jamie told me I should get a traveler's check to bring over but I'm not really sure what that is or how it works so there's a bit more of research I'll have update you on later. But for now, Happy Cinco de Mayo!!