It’s to believe it, but I’ve been on the World Race for 8 months. One month may have been spent in the US, but still that counts as part of my Race! After my month at home and as I prepared to return to the Race, I quickly realized one really great benefit of my intermission at home…REPACKING my bags.
Seriously, I can’t tell you how many times my friends and I discussed how we’d pack differently “had we only known”. Maybe there’s no amount of blog reading that will really prepare you (or help you pack your bag), but I figured that since I got a great advantage of starting over I should share the things in my pack that make me happy!
When I returned to the Race in June, I joined my new team (Team Victory) in Malaysia. God blessed me so much with my new team, especially because I get to share this leg of the Race with Kelley, one of my best friends on my squad (check her blog out here). God put us together at Training Camp, and we’ve been inseparable since!
In those first few days back on the Race, Kel and I went through all of the NEW items in my pack. We joyfully anticipated sharing clothes and basked in how great it was that I could start fresh with it all. That’s when we brainstormed our idea for this blog.
At home, Kel and I are both notorious over packers. Our thinking is “I’d rather have more than I need, than be sad I left that ONE item at home.” Well, that packing philosophy doesn’t work on the Race, and as I prepared to leave, I knew over packing wasn’t an option.
One night, I asked God for His help. Seriously, I sat down in front of my pack and said, “God! HELP ME! You know exactly what I need and don’t need. Show me what to pack.” Sure enough, it all came together with just the right amount of stuff!
With that in mind, I’m writing my World Race Packing Confessions. Thoughts on what to pack or not to pack, and if you stick around till the end, I’ll even include a full packing list. Because let’s be real, if you’re leaving on the Race anytime soon and reading this blog…you want the full list!
HAPPY PACKING!
Love, Love, Love
Kate
Confession #1: I love wearing sun dresses.
Pack clothes you wear in everyday life. I learned very quickly, that my favorite clothes were the clothes I’d choose to wear at home. Consider sun dresses, jean shorts, skinny jeans, leggings, and neutral colored tops that mix and match. If you buy new clothes for the Race, try them out at home. If you won’t wear it at home, believe me, you won’t want to wear it on the Race. You will want to look nice more than you think, and wearing a college t-shirt everyday gets old fast. Consider the climate and culture of your route when choosing your wardrobe, but pack what you love and you’ll be happy.
Confession #2: I want to wear my Victoria’s Secret bralette everyday.
Is that too much info? But believe me, you want to pack a few of these. You won’t be sorry! This bralette is affordable, comfy, super cute under tanks and dresses, and holds up surprisingly well. Also pack plenty of undies (like 14+ pairs), and go with what you’d normally wear at home. Don’t skimp on your undergarments, you want to be comfortable.
Confession #3: I hate Chacos.
Gasp! I said it. I hate Chacos. That seems sacrilegious to say as a Racer, but it’s true. I think Chacos are ugly and too heavy. The shoes you bring on the Race are important. I bought Teva’s rather than Chacos (still not my favorite, but a necessary purchase for hiking and stuff). My favorite pair of sandals I bought in Peru and I also wear my Toms-like shoes all the time.
Confession #4: I love that my sleeping bag compresses to half the size of my teammates.
I took into account that my route took me through South America, Southeast Asia, and Africa during their summer months. With that in mind, I knew a lighter weight sleeping bag would work. I choose the Kelty Cosmic Down 40. It’s perfect and half the size of most of my friends! Lots of my squamates dropped their sleeping bags after South America and only use a light blanket.
Confession #5: I appreciate a good night’s sleep.
You’ll read it a million times, but it’s worth saying again. Spend your money on your sleeping pad. I borrowed a sleeping pad for training camp, and tried out the ones my squadmates brought. In my opinion, Kelley brought the best sleeping pad, so naturally I went to REI and bought the same one…the Big Agnes Q-Core. Worth the money…comfy, packs small, and it’s durable. While we’re talking about sleeping, I got the ThermaRest compressible large pillow. I’m not too picky about my pillow, and this one is easy to pack and gets the job done.
Confession #6: I don’t hate bucket showers.
Imagine humidity so thick you can cut it, mornings that make you sweat on a 30 second walk to ministry, and afternoons so hot everything shuts down so people can nap. Sometimes, cool bucket showers offer the only respite from the sticky heat. After awhile, I got used to dumping water all over myself rather than standing under the steady stream. As for my toiletries, I only brought enough for month one of the Race and restock what I need as I go along. Believe me, whatever you need you will find it, and often even the brand you like to buy at home.
Confession #7: I didn’t bring any medicine with me on the Race.
Other than basics like IB prophin and antihistamines for allergies, I didn’t mess with bringing any other medicines. They’re heavy and take up a lot of space in my pack. Pharmacies are everywhere, and more often than not you can walk right up and get what you need without a prescription. I’ve chosen to trust God to keep me healthy, and He’s keeping His promise to me.
Confession #8: I didn’t bring a camera.
Instead, I brought my iPhone and it does everything I need (and more). The picture and video quality are amazing and it’s enough. Yes, a real camera would be nice, but my phone gets the job done.
Confession #9: I packed craft supplies.
Crafting and journaling is totally possible on the Race. I keep 2 different journals. One is very similar to how I journal at home…regular notebooks where I write my prayers and conversations with God (I brought 5 thin line moleskin notebooks. I’ve sent some home along the way. I’m about to run out of paper now, so I plan to pick up something authentically Cambodia to continue writing). In addition to that, I’m making a travel journal. At the end of each month, I document the highlights of the month and collect “treasures” to help me remember my time in each country. I’m using a little watercolor notebook I picked up at hobby lobby, and then carry along sharpies, washi tape, small scissors, and glue sticks. Everything I need for crafting fits in a tiny travel bag.
Confession #10: I miss my family and friends at home.
Before leaving on the Race, I knew there would be days that I’d miss home so, so, so much! Knowing that might happen, I wrote a blog and asked my family and friends to send me notes, letters, jokes, and words of encouragement that I could pack on the Race. Each month I open a few letters. Some make me laugh. Some make me cry. Some encourage me with truth from the Word that I need to hear right at that moment. Some have money inside or little gifts. All of them make me smile, and remind me of home. The notes take up space, but it’s totally worth it!
Confession #11: I’m borrowing my big pack.
One of my friends went on the Race a few years ago, and she carried the 60L Gregory Deva pack. As I prepared for my Race, she offered to let me borrow her pack. It’s just the right size. Big enough for all my stuff, but small enough to keep me from over packing! I’M SO THANKFUL.
If you’ve read this much of my blog, you’re probably hoping for the complete list…here you go. My complete list of what I brought on one handy google document. Happy shopping, happy packing, and even happier traveling!
(follow us on instagram #K8andKel, #kelaroundtheworld, #k8takesworld)
