Adventures WorldRace SethBarnes Sponsorship Giving

| by archiveworldraceblogs

When I started on my race THE most annoying blog to read was the blog that caught your attention by being “the best packing blog ever” and as soon as you open it, explain how all you need is God and material things don’t matter. I needed details! This was a YEAR of traveling. The notion that no material things were needed did not compute with me, probably like they don’t compute for you. So. You’re going on the race. Here is the best advice I can give. But packers beware…every single packing list I read were left irrelevant two months into this race. Eventually, you will come to the conclusion that every packing blog you ever read was no help to you, and there are things you wish you brought…or didn’t bring.

 

So I’ve decided for now to help you this way. Here are the 11 things that I am extremely glad I brought…and the 11 things I wished I brought…and the 11 things I really hate that I brought.

 

The 11 Good Things : 

 

  1. My DSLR Camera – I would have been lost if I’d left this at home. Yes…it took a beating…and I’m coming back with a scratched lens and dirty camera…but I’ve used it to capture precious memories. If you are a photographer…know how to use a DSLR…and want to grow in your photography skills, bring your camera…and the lenses. If you’re not a photographer and it’s not a passion…you don’t need to go out and buy one. A nice point and shoot will do just fine for you. And there is no shame in a nice point and shoot! Unless you get a Nikon or Sony…#canongirlalltheway
  2. Running shorts! – Blogs will tell you that “You can never wear them because of cultural differences”. Not true. If you’re going to central america…you can wear them. Every other time you wear them, it will be when its 800 degrees and you are sweating your butt off in Thailand or Africa. Bring one pair. I can’t stress that enough.
  3. My MacBook – 13in MacBook Pro…I installed Lightroom 4 and it’s been the best thing ever. Ignore the people who tell you to “Just buy a cheap netbook”. Don’t. They break. Also, people will say just to bring your iPad…I mean…you can…but if you want to watch movies on long travel days, update your blog easily, and not have to borrow your friends computer all the time and wait for them to be done with it…bring a computer.
  4. Vibram Five-Finger Sandals – They’re the best. I didn’t get them sent to me until month 7…but I wished I had gotten them sent to me much much sooner. They grip well and are PERFECT for Nepal. Hiking, swimming in lakes and rivers…they’ve been one of my favorite purchases ever.
  5. Letters from Home – These took up some room…but I don’t regret it. I got letters every month from my mom and grandma…and they’ve been instrumental in keeping me on this race. Grab some pictures of your family back home too. It helps on those nights that you just want to be home…and it helps bring smiles to children’s faces you show them too.
  6. Hammock – I got a Soco Hammock and it’s been amazing. Absolutely amazing. A lot of people got Eno’s and have been unhappy with the lack of versatility in the straps. Soco straps can reach far, and 10% of your purchase goes to one of 10 charities of your choice! Win Win!
  7. Make Up – Because sometimes you just want to feel like a girl…
  8. Sleeping Pad – I got a “Yellow Banana”…otherwise known as a Thermarest XLight. It weighs 12oz and is super comfortable. It’s not the biggest or cheapest, but trust me. You do not want to skimp on your sleeping pad. Go big.
  9. Normal Clothes – The number one thing you will miss most (materially) on this race is being normal. Bring clothes that you would normally wear at home. I brought jeans, and Jewelry. I wish I brought more. 
  10. LOTS of Headphones – Dude, the race is rough on headphones. And ones that you purchase overseas are knock offs. Get 4-5 good pairs of headphones and take really good care of them. You really do miss them when they are gone.
  11. Harddrives – The race is notorious for “upping” your movie library. If you’re a movie, photo, video, and music freak…bring a few hard drives. I have one 2TB, and two 1TB hard drives. I have over 300 movies and have filled up almost all of the space I have with pictures and videos I’ve taken. I got the Western Digital brand and have had a lot of luck with them. 

 

       {{BONUS}} BRING CIPRO. BRING A MOSQUITO NET. 

 

The 11 Things I Could have done without :

  1. TENT – You might be really confused seeing this…but I ditched my tent after month two. We only used our tents in Guatemala, Honduras, and now in Africa. Next month might be tricky, unless they have trees for me to put my hammock and hammock rain fly up. Otherwise I’ll share with a teammate. Seriously…it’s just 4 extra pounds that I didn’t want to carry. I gave it to a squadmate who wanted a bigger one…and haven’t needed it since.
  2. MALARIA MEDS – Haven’t taken them…probably won’t. This is a personal decision that varies from person to person. Some people are good without, some people swear by it. 
  3. HEAVY TENNIS SHOES – Just get chacos or Vibrams. I ditched my tennis shoes month 3. My mom sent a lighter pair to me that I haven’t used too much.
  4. STATIONARY – I never used it. Some people use it to leave notes for their teammates, I just found it to take up space. So I ditched it all and used postcards instead.
  5. TOILETRIES – Don’t buy shampoo, soap, and all that jazz beforehand. Just get it in country. Usually teams get “team shampoo” anyway. 
  6. STUFF SACKS – Seriously buy packing cubes. Just do it. Stuff sacks take up way more room.
  7. IPHONE – Yeah, you’re reading that right. My iPhone is destroyed after a year on this race. It won’t even turn on anymore. Thinking back on it, I really just used my laptop anyway…and when I did us my iPhone it was for instagram which caused a huge battle with pride for a while on the race. I wish I hadn’t brought it.
  8. MEDICINE – Get it in country! It’s super cheap! Thankfully I had an awesome donor who got me all my meds…but if you don’t have access to cheap meds, just wait.
  9. NOOK – I never used it…gave it to a friend. I actually just really love real books. Bought the Lord of the Rings in India. 
  10. RAIN JACKET – I spent $80 on a north face jacket that doesn’t stop the rain. I’ve just gotten used to being wet by this point anyway…and I wouldn’t want to carry a heavier one. So, I’d go without.
  11. NALGENE – Mine always gets gross…and I hate when the Nalgene starts to smell funky. I’ve ditched one already, and barely use my new one.

 

The 11 Things I wish I would have packed : 

  1. LIFEPROOF iPhone Case – My phone might still be alive if I’d had it.
  2. UNIVERSAL ADAPTER – Sometimes you really just want your own adapter instead of mooching on someone else’s. 
  3. BOOTS – Come fall, you’ll want a cute pair of boots. Especially in the cold months.
  4. DRESS – I brought one, but ditched it soon after because I lost weight in central america. I wish I had brought a cute summer dress to wear on off days and to church.
  5. MORE HEADPHONES
  6. MORE UNDERWEAR – Seriously, go big. This is an entire year we are talking about! Not a weekend trip! I wish I’d brought like 25-30 pair! 
  7. ANOTHER SPORTS BRA – I live in these things. And only had one until India…it’s been glorious to have two!
  8. SMALLER BIBLE – Mine is just sort of clunky…I wish I’d gotten a pocket bible…it would be easier to take everywhere with me.
  9. YOGA PANTS – Bring some capri ones. I finally bought a pair in Delhi (they have a Forever21!) and wear them almost every day.
  10. HAMMOCK RAIN FLY – I had my dad send me one after month 3. I love my hammock…and now it’s sort of like a tent.
  11. MORE TAMPONS – But seriously.