Adventures WorldRace SethBarnes Sponsorship Giving

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Top 10 Things in My Pack
 
As a current Month 3 racer in Honduras, I bring you a peak inside my pack.
So far, I am 100% satisfied with my packing skills. Here are my top 10 favorite things that I brought with me.. and a few extra tips!
 
  1. My Camera! {Nikon d5100 and 300x zoom lens} I discovered my love for photography several months before the race, and I am SO glad that I got this camera, lens, and Lightroom 4 editing software. The camera is great for photo and HD video. The lens gives you the ability to capture amazing close up candid shots from far away, and with great focus. And the editing software just makes everything look incredible. Several people on my squad are trying to find ways to purchase these items now that we are on the field…quite the adventure. If you are the slightly obsessed with photography…get them!
 
  1. iPhone 5, Headphones, and Headphone Splitter! {Urban Ears from Urban Outfitters – Rockstar 5 way splitter by Belkin}   My race started in January, right after Christmas. So..my Christmas list consisted of REI gift cards, support money, and the only other thing I could think of that I could fit in my pack… an 1phone 5. (success!) This little piece of technology is pretty handy. You never know when you're going to be walking through the village and spot a Claro wifi router. You can facetime/iMessage FO' FREE whenever you have wifi. The awesome camera is also nice to have in your pocket at all times, especially when your actual camera is as big as mine and you don't want to carry it around all the time.                   Recommended apps: instagram, spotify (premium! -legit-), postagram, socialcam, viber (free wifi text/call) I love my headphones, and a lot of other people have commented about how they wish they had brought over the ear ones, because ear buds get annoying on 19 hour bus rides. The headphone splitter is also a must, with this one 5 people can listen to the same music/movie.
 
  1. Hammock! {ENO} – I got my hammock several months before the race and I wasn't sure how much I would use it. And..I use it all the time! Everywhere we have gone, there has been a perfect spot with a great view for hammocking. I do a lot of journaling, reading, and listening to music in my hammock. I have had many cute little Central American amigos hanging out in my hammock as well. 
 
  1. Chacos! – I have had my chacos for around 4 years now, and I have worn them almost every day so far on the race. As you can see in the picture, it gets a little messy sometimes! This picture was taken after stomping mud to make adobe bricks to build a house. I also wear them in the shower, ocean, hiking, etc. Good stuff!

 
5. Bye-Bye Book! This is one of my favorite things that I did to prepare before launch. At my going away party I made a world map backdrop, got some fun props, and had one of my friends take pictures of everyone at the party. During the party, everyone passed around a journal and wrote me notes to read throughout the year. After the party, we printed out the pictures and put them on the opposite page of their notes. It's great to see the faces of everyone and read their encouraging words whenever I need a taste of home.

 
6.  Eye Mask and Ear Plugs! {Target}– When you're told your travel day will be around 8 hours… that usually means about 18. And when you're on a school bus with 55 people and packs piled down the center isle as high as the ceiling..sleeping conditions are not quite 5 star quality. Pop in some magic earplugs and a snazzy cover over your eyes….just imagine you are in a California King. Works every time!


 
7.  Scarves and Headbands! {Everywhere} -Add a scarf to any plain t-shirt or tank top… instantly go from manual laborer, to World Race fashionista! Your tent is like a magic booth..go in for 5 seconds, come out with a scarf on.. get compliments from every girl on the squad about how cute you look. Any church service or day off in 'the big city', you can find me wearing a scarf. Headbands are another magic item… My routine has been something like.. shower..wear hair down for 2 days..wear hair up for the next 2 days… and for the remaining duration before the next shower..cover it up with a buff of headband! They have really cute ones in the markets in Central America.

 

8.   Portable Speakers! {ENO} – Portable speakers bring the dance party to any work site, and the worship music to any church service. I was the only one on my squad who had them at training camp, and I acquired the name 'DJ MK' because we used them so much. By launch, over half of the people on my squad had a set in their pack. Golden.
 
 
9.  Journal! {Target} -I decided to get one large journal and it will definitely last me the whole time. I definitely keep and share more of my memories through photographs than words..so my journalism style consists of a lot of scrapbookage…and lists…and doodling. I have collected things like plane tickets, drawings from children, and little notes from squad mates. Bring a roll of tape and keep up with all the little memories throughout the year. 
 

 

10.  HANGING Toiletry Bag! {Target} – This handy dandy item is commonly referred to as my organization station. I keep everything in it.. including toothbrush/toothpaste, chapstick, face wash pads, bug spray, medicine, vitamins, nail clippers, mirror, and ear plugs. There is always a spot to hang it close to where I sleep, even my tent has the perfect place to hang it from the ceiling. Much easier than digging through a toiletry bag after digging it out of your pack every night/morning.  


 


So those are my top 10 most cherished items! Here are a few more tips:

1. Color coordinate! I packed al of my clothes so that I can mix/match almost everything. I chose a mostly gray/black color scheme with many colorful accessories. With only so much to pick from, it's nice to be able to switch up your outfits as much as possible.

2. Bring your normal bible. I brought a smaller one instead of the one that I use at home, and I really wish that I had my regular one with all of my notes in it so that I could have them and also add to it this year.

3.  Don't bring a lot of toiletries. They sell shampoo, conditioner, lotion, deoderant, etc. at every little corner store. Do not waste the space and weight in your pack on carrying these heavy liquids. The only that that I have not been able to find is good liquid/creme face wash. Their skin is just naturally beautiful and clear here, so I guess they don't need it. 

4. GET SPOTIFY. Spotify is an app that you can listen to any music on, and if you get Premium for $10.99 a month, you can download playlists and save them offline, so that you can listen to it anywhere at any time. I have playlists like 'Billboard Top 100' and everyone on the squad loves listening so we don't get TOO behind on American culture. 

5.  If you use it at home, bring it. I brought a mini hair dryer and I cannot count how many times it has been borrowed by girls on my squad. Be that girl. They will thank you later.

6. Relax. The packing lists might stress you out. As long as you have the BIG items (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, etc.) you are fine. Believe it or not, people in other countries do wear clothes, bathe, and eat. Don't worry, you will be fine! 🙂
 

Much Love! -MK