Okay now that you have gotten through the clothes part of the packing list let's tackle the next few things. You can do this, it's not that bad although it seems stressful. These next sections has been of great debate for world racers I feel and so it's not just my opinion, but the opinions of several of my teammates.
ELECTRONICS
Computer: Mac vs. Netbook. I bought a Netbook for a little under $300. I didn’t want to lose or break my Mac, but I wish so badly that I would have just brought my Mac. It has all my photos and music and WR paperwork on it. It also has my photo and video editing software. I wish I had those to make end of the month videos and whatnot as we go instead of having to do it all when I get home. The netbook is great if you just want to skype and blog. Maybe store some videos and photos on, but it’s not good for much else. If I could do it again I would go with my Mac as would most of my squad mates who had Macs, but brought netbooks.
Flash drive vs. Hard drive: I bought and brought a 16GB flash drive and I use it to store my photos and videos on. My teammates also use my flash drive to transfer stuff to each other. I still have room on it. If I had brought my Mac I would have spent more money and bought a hard drive so I could back up my computer. Also a hard drive is good to have extra movies on that you can pass around the squad. Note about hard drives- Once they are synced to a Mac let’s say it is not compatible with anything, but a Mac. My advice if you have a netbook go for the flash drive its small and lightweight. If you are bringing your Mac or another larger computer go for the hard drive so you can back up your computer.
Ipod: My cousin bought me the newest nano that was out there. I love it because it is small. The only problem is that it is synced to my Mac and not my net book, and my net book doesn’t have music on it. If I were to do things over again I would go for an ipod touch. You can play more games, download the bible app, the Jesus’ Calling app, and you can connect to the internet. The newest Ipod touch even has the ability to let you skype. I think it’s worth the extra money to get the touch, but my nano is great too. Your choice.
Headphones: I brought two pair with me, the ones that came with my ipod and my skull candy ones. My skull candy ones broke month 2 (I had them for over a year previously). I bought a pair in the LAX airport when flying to the Philippines, but those broke within a week or two. I lost my ipod ones in the Philippines so I bought a cute “Asian” pair and they had crappy sound quality. Thankfully I found a Phillips pair for a bit more money the day after and they have lasted me until then.
If I were to do it again I would bring 2 pairs and maybe a noise cancelling pair as well to block out all unwanted sound and get some sleep.
Speakers and splitter: I don’t have either, but I wish I did. A splitter is great to have on travel days so the person next to you and you can watch the movie and both have headphones. I think Best Buy sells a 5 person splitter that’s worth it. As for speakers when your team wants to watch a movie the volume on the computer is never enough. Make sure at least one or two people on your team bring speakers. You can buy these along the way if you are lucky to find them, but they may cost you more.
Camera: I brought my Canon Power Shot SD1200 IS digital camera and I love it. It takes good quality videos and pretty great pictures. I also brought an extra memory card. It’s small and lightweight and it works to back up videos and photos once my flash drive becomes full. If you are really into photography you can bring your big nice camera, but that’s extra weight and you may not want to carry it everywhere. One girl on my fist team had a digital camera that could go underwater. We took awesome photos of us scuba diving and playing in the hot springs with some of the kids we worked with. Bring something that you know how to use and that you love.
Video: I didn’t bring anything, but my camera and I love the videos it takes. Some people have brought flips (very limited shooting area) and some brought smaller video cameras. This is all up to you and what you want.
Headlamp: This is your lifesaver from when the power unexpectedly goes out, bikingwalking back home in the dark. Make sure the light is bright and that it is comfortable on your head. I think mine cost me $20 and it has 4 different light setting options.
Batteries: I just need AAA for my headlamp. Bring a couple extra with you. I brought 4 and have yet to change my first set of batteries.
Adapters and Surge Protectors: I didn’t bring any adapters, but instead brought a small travel surge protector. Three people can plug in and two ipods can charge at one time. It has come in handy because my teammates all brought adapters. The power surges a lot in other countries and things can get fried quickly. Plus this allows more people to plug in. Another one of my teammates brought a power surge strip and I think 6 people can plug into this. I would just communicate with your team and or squad to see who is bringing what because all those adapters and such can get heavy.
Watch: Make sure to get one that is waterproof or water resistant. I also use mine as my alarm. My teammate asked me to put in a reminder to make sure you know how to set it. She still doesn’t know how to change her watch.
**Here are a few things you might want to download onto your computer before leaving the states**
-VLC media player = for watching movies
-Handbrake = you can rip movies off from DVDs onto your computer.
-Vuze = You can download TV shows to your computer. (they don’t always have the latest episodes)
-Senuti = Let’s your rip music off an ipod and onto your computer.
GEAR
Tent: I brought a North Face Rock 22 it ways about 5lbs. I have used it for one night and that was to keep the bugs off me while we slept on a ferry. Go for lightweight, but durable.
Backpack: I have the Osprey Ariel 65. I love it, BUT if you can deal with a little bit smaller bag North Face has a duffel bag with backpack straps and that would have been a dream to have. My bag just explodes when I open it up. If you are willing to spend more money one of my squad mates has a rolley luggage case with backpack straps and he loves it. Just make sure you have backpack straps and that you love the bag.
Day pack: I just used my school backpack at first, but after using it for 4 years of college and dragging it halfway around the world it finally gave up. I bought a North Face Vision 60 at a market in Cambodia for $10 and I love it. Just make sure your day pack isn’t huge, that it has good quality zippers, and that the stitching is good quality.
Air porter: Get the one with the duffel bag strap or the backpack straps. You really want the air porter because your bag will get beat up, torn up, and or shredded, otherwise.
Rain cover (for your big bag): Save your money and spend it elsewhere. I didn’t buy one and haven’t needed it.
Packing Cubes vs. Ziploc Compression sacks: I brought a large and a medium Ziploc compression sack. Pros: my clothes get packed very small. Cons: they get stinky very fast and there is no way to stay organized when you need to get one article of clothing out. I wish I would have brought several packing cubes. Pros: You can stay organized by having one for shirts, one for pants, and one for everything else and you can wash them. Cons: They are a little bit bulkier.
Water bottle: I brought my Nalgene Camelback one and I dropped it and now it leaks, but I loved having it. I even brought extra bitey pieces and straws to change out every so often. Some people brought Nalgenes and spill guards and love them. Some people brought the Sigg type water bottles and have dropped them. Cleaning your water bottle is the most difficult thing. They get stinky and you don’t have a dishwasher to wash them for you. Make sure you can fit your hand in the bottle to clean it if you are going to bring it. I dropped mine along the way and have just been using bottled water that you can buy everywhere. I get a new one every few weeks. It’s not a big deal if I lose it because I can buy a new one for very cheap and I don’t have to worry about cleaning it.
BED
Sleeping bag: I have the Big Agnes Crystal and I absolutely love it. I have used this the most often because I get cold very easily. It is spacious and it even has a pocket on the backside that my sleeping mat fits in. That is my favorite feature because I move a lot in my sleep and this prevents me from falling off my mat. I would suggest you find a sleeping bag that you love. Test them out. Are you a mummy person, or a rectangle person, or are you in between like me?
Sleeping bag liner: I bought a silk one and I have used it only a few times. I would have brought a sheet instead to use or a Cocoon. Actually I would have opted for the Cocoon. The people who have them on my squad love them. You will want something though to sleep in while in your sleeping bag to help keep it clean.
Sleeping mat: I haven’t used mine that often. I have the Big Agnes blow up one. It can be a pain to blow it up, but it packs down real small. I pack mine in with my tent to save room in my backpack. My advice to you is to test them out. This will be your bed for maybe a few months so you want something that is comfortable to sleep on.
Pillow: I have a thermarest travel pillow that rolls up. I love it. It’s the perfect size. My team has had pillows provided for us all but one month. The pillow situation is your call. Some people like my teammate Angie brought a pillow from home. She says to buy the water resistant pillow protector case to put over your pillow to keep the bed bugs out. She also says that she packs her pillow in a stuff sack for travel. Some people on my squad have bought regular size pillows while on the race. My teammate Haile just brought the Total Pillow. It’s a small travel pillow that folds up into several different ways. My teammate Alana just brought a blow up neck pillow and then she took the small one from then plane. Everyone is different.
Mosquito net vs. Bug Hut: I brought a mosquito net and have used one month in Nicaragua to keep little gnat like bugs that died during the night off me and my bed. Mosquito nets were provided for us in Cambodia. Two of my teammates brought Bug Huts and love them. I think they are awesome and would get that instead of the mosquito net if I were to do it all again.
Blanket: If you want an extra blanket just take the one from the plane or the bus. If you don’t like the idea of “stealing” just ask them they more often than not will tell you yes.
Stay tuned for Part 3: Meds, Toiletries, and Misc!
