This is probably a blog that only future Racers will want to read. It's extremely long, oops. I feel like I packed for six months before I left for the Race. I have modified it since being on the Race though and had my teammates contribute! I am very happy with everything I brought. Most of it is written from a female perspective (Sorry guys!), but hopefully it will help calm in anxious hearts who are freaking out like I was about packing! You are gonna be okay, I promise.
Clothes: My biggest tip with clothes is to pack clothes you like to wear at home. You are not living in a jungle or in a mud hut for a year. You will still be living with society. Seriously. But I would say bring clothes you are okay with not coming home with because with the nature of the Race, things get lost, things get holes in them, things get torn.
2 tank tops-one to work out/do manual labor in, the other just one you like to wear.
3 shirts–solid colored ones are the best. You will get tired of printed ones.
1 pair of jeans–I brought jeggings that look just like jeans and have LOVED them.
2 work out type shorts
1 knee length skirts
1 Maxi skirt/dress
15 panties–don't get solid colored ones or else they might get mixed up.
2 Exofficio Underwear
2 pairs of socks–That is seriously all you need. You will end up wearing sandals or chacos most of the time.
2 regular bras
2-3 sport bras
2 Leggings (one mid thigh to go under dresses)
One piece/tankini swimsuit (bring one you like!)
1 blouse/shirt you enjoy wearing at home. You will want it on off days to feel like you not feel like a Racer.
Shoes:
Tennis shoes
Chacos–don't get ones with toe straps! You will hate them after a while. Promise. And then you can wear socks with your chacos..the most beautiful fashion tip out there!
Flip flops to shower in
Toms–I contemplate ditching these each month but they are a nice to have when I feel like being normal.
Extras:
Batteries–often hard to find, except for in big cities
Pictures of friends/family–I printed off wallet size as well to keep in my Bible. Bring plenty of pictures though. Ministry contacts and people on your team love seeing your friends and family. And you might need them on days you feel homesick:)
6-8 Visa pictures
Copy of Passports
Copy of drivers license
Copy of student ID
Copy of insurance card
Copy of Visas
Copy EVERYTHING. And keep them in different places in your pack/daypack.
Big stuff:
Kelty Salida 2 Tent–although I am in month 8 and I have only used it at Training Camp. A lot of people on my squad have. I have just been lucky so far!
Kelty Salida 2 footprint
REI Stratus Extra Long Sleeping Mat–HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS ONE. so many of my squad mates have had theirs pop so MAKE SURE you invest good money in this. It really will be your bed for 11 months. I have had 2 months so far that I haven't used it.
ENO Hammock–not a necessity but so nice to have.
Hammock Strapes
Thermarest Pillow (Medium-Large)–I ended up buying a fun printed throw pillow cover month 4. Definitely worth getting one beforehand to keep it clean!
Inflatable neck pillow–very nice to have on long bus/plane rides when you don't have a window to lean against.
Sleeping bag (Mountain Hardware Lamina 35)–get something that you like, that is compresses well, and is around 30 degrees. Check the weather for your route beforehand to know what type of weather you will be in, but also know you will probably get route changed.
Sea to Summit Sleeping liner–definitely a must. Can double as a sheet for when it's super hot out.
Alite Chair–so this is most definitely a luxury but I have used it almost every month. Apparently chairs are hard to find in other countries and sitting on the floor gets old after a while. I found mine at an REI yard sale and have loved having it.
Packing cubes–A MUST. Do not get the bags that roll up. You will not regret packing cubes. I have the Eagle Creek ones from REI and love them.
REI Airporter–DO NOT get the Osprey one. I have it and so does the majority of my squad and we all absolutely hate them. They should't even be manufactured. They make carrying your pack impossible. Any kind of duffle bag one will be way better. You will lug that 50-60lb pack around in the air porter more than you realize.
Mosquito net–I have one but haven't used it yet. Definitely just an optional item.
Waterproof cover for daypack–Definitely good to keep your electronics dry during a random thunder storm, especially if you are going anywhere during rainy seasons.
Travel:
Passport
Drivers license
Student ID
Yellow Fever card
Insurance Card
Charles Shwabb Visa Card
Targus World Power Travel Adapter-Don't get a cheap bulky one. Invest in this one. I absolutely love this one and it works so well.
Belkin Mini Surge with USB
Locks for luggage
Earplugs
Eye mask
Vitamins/Meds: I came into the Race as a bit of a hyperchondriac/Web MD fanatic (I quickly realized you can't live like that on the Race) so I just loaded up on stuff. So far I have been really lucky and only gotten sick once.
Cipro
Dyflucan
Tylenol
Multi-vitamin
Probiotic
Sleep aid
Neosporin
Alcohol pads
Anti-itch cream
Band aids
Pepto
Imodium
Acid reducers
Cold/flu
Tea tree oil (know uses)
Toiletries:
Toiletry Bag
Shampoo/Conditioner–get small reusable travel sized bottles
Face Wash
Body Wash–I use bars of soap. They last so much longer
Deodorant–Stick deodorant is nearly impossible to find in other countries. I have only found it in Ireland so far. Stock up. I brought 3 and bought 2 more in Ireland.
Q-Tips
Baby Powder
(2) Toothbrushes–easy to find in other countries and very cheap
Razor with 8-10 replacement heads–make sure its a good one!
Lotion
Face Lotion (w/ SPF)
Sunscreen
Hand Sanitizer
Perfume– I brought Victoria Secret Bombshell in the plastic bottle and I have loved having this!
Wash cloth
Hair brush
Hair Ties
Bobby pins
Makeup: foundation, powder, eye liner, 2 mascaras
Nail polish(2), cuticle cutter, pumice stone, remover
Nail clippers
Vaseline
LOTS OF CHAPSTICK
Baby Wipes–these are like GOLD. And will be your shower during a lot of days!
Pest control-bed bug prevention/lice treatment
Diva cup
Diva cup wash
Year supply of contacts–I have the ones you can leave in for 30 days and 30 nights and love them. Do not bring daily ones. They take up way too much room.
Contact solution (3 months worth)–surprisingly hard to find in other countries.
Contact Cases-nice to have backups.
Glasses–make sure the one you have is nice. Mine broke month 3 but luckily a teammate had an extra one.
Travel straightener–I didn't end up bringing one but it's nice to have from time to time.
Travel blow dryer–luxury item
Accessories:
Sea to Summit Towel-Make sure it’s Tek, not the micro fiber ones that feel like a sheet. Get the one that feels like a towel. They are great. Just make sure you always hang it up to dry and don’t pack it wet.
Headlamp–I have a Petzl and LOVE it. Make sure it's a nice brand. I use it almost every night and you do not want to skimp out one this.
Small purse
Scarf
Buff
Watch–MUST item. Get a good water proof one that has an alarm!
Earrings–bring studs. They have been almost impossible to find. You will wear jewelry more often than you realize!
Head Bands
Clothing line
To keep handy:
Frequent flyer numbers
Passport number
To do:
Put your name on everything. Literally every.single.thing.
Download podcasts/music/books. It is incredible hard to download things after you leave american WiFi so LOAD UP. You will get tired of what you have.
Work out routine cards/videos
Language Cards
Assign Power of Attorney if necessary
Food/drink:
Water bottle–I have a Nalgene and although I love it, if I don't clean it out every few days it smells awful. The stainless steal ones are good. I would not suggest just getting by on recycled water bottles. There will be times that you will use your Nalgene every day and want a sturdy one that you can wash.
Spork
Collapsable bowl
Nalgene spill guard
Crystal light packs–actually impossible to find outside of America. I brought probably 75 from home and had my mom mail me about 100 more month 3. Only drinking water gets really old so having some flavor is very nice.
Instant coffee packets (Starbucks Via is luxury) if you like coffee.
Books:
Pocket Bible
Study Bible
Q&A a day
Journal
Books I downloaded on my iPad before I left that I would recommend:
Circle Maker
Spiritual Sonship to Spiritual Slavery
Boundaries
Mark of the Lion collection
Lineage of Grace series
Becoming Myself
Evangelism is…
Divergent
Grace for the Good Girl
Experiencing Father's Embrace
Emotionally Healthy Spirituallity
Daring Greatly
Anything Brennan Manning
The Fault in our Stars
A Million Miles in a Thousand Years
Jesus is..
The Randoms:
Passport protector
Pens
Colored Pens
Craft stuff (scissors, tape, glue stick, small sketch book, envelopes)
7 Birthday cards for teammates
11 Thank you cards for contacts
Jump Rope
Mesh laundry sack
Ziplock bags
Bounce sheets
Thread
Dutch Blitz cards
Playing cards
Colored pencils
Coloring books
Crayons
Carabineers
Command strips–Very helpful to hand things in your room each month. I didn't bring these but each month I wished I had.
Electronics:
iPad mini (+ 2 chargers)
iPod (charger)
iPhone (+2 chargers)
MacBook (charger)
3 way headphone splitter
2-3 pairs of headphones (one with mic)
Speakers (eno)
External Hard Drive
Camera
Memory card for Camera
Flash charger
Helpful iPhone Apps/MacBook Apps:
Money converter
Viber
Whats app
Text free
Google voice
Voxer
Text plus
XE currency
Triplingo
VLC media player
Handbrake
Vuze
Uses for tea tree oil: Deters lice, disinfects laundry (2 drops), dries up acne, kills body oder, refreshes clothes.
Peppermint oil for nausea
Tips from being on the field for eight months:
Don’t forget that your ministry isn’t only at your ministry site. Open your eyes to all of the opportunities God places in front of you on the bus, in the airport, on your team, or days off.
Be open, honest, and transparent. It is vert easy to fear feedback for the first few months and not ever share when you are struggling which is not really pressing into the process so don’t do that. Your team has to love you so there.
Please know that there is no possible way to prepare yourself for the Race. Just know that your teammates are there for you if you aren’t prepared and y’all will survive. I promise.
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Prepare emails and blogs on a word document before going to Internet. It will save time which will save you money.
You are not in America so KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR STUFF! You will stick out and professional criminals will target you. Don’t whip out your iPhone every second.
Embrace the process and respect your teammate’s process too.
Backup everything on your external hard drive and then switch external hard drives with a teammate for travel day. That way, if your day pack is stolen you lose your computer and your friend's external hard drive, and they still have their computer with your external hard drive. Everyone's pictures are safe.
Duck tap around Nalgene so you have easy access and don’t have to carry around an awkward roll.
Eno speakers are perfect because they protect your iPod!
Download podcasts because you will not be able to later. And LOAD UP on music..Jonathan David Helser, Will Reagan, All Sons and Daughters, Rend Collective Experiment, and Bethel are popular in the Race world!
Research the different languages that you will come in contact with and make little language cards with just basic conversation words that you can keep in your pocket to help you be able to talk a little bit to the natives! Most helpful thing I brought so far.
Get a Schwab Card. It’s legit. It’s a complicated process so do it as soon as possible. Just call them and set it up over the phone. Way easier than doing it online.
Make sure you get a day pack that fits all your stuff but that isn’t TOO big because you will fill it up.
