Packing Suggestions (attempt 2)

Hello Racers,

During this preparation time, your biggest questions are probably about packing. Your best resources on packing are first, the Handbook. We have spent a lot of time and many conversations to compile that list, so it’s really the best place to start. Secondly, you either already have been or will be connected to a Racer who is currently on the field. Talk with this person about what they do and don’t need, remembering that you will have a different route, so there will be some variation. The book Travel Well and http://www.ricksteves.com/ (though not a Christian site) are both good resources as well.

Below you will find 5 emails from previous Racers with their packing suggestions for the 2007 teams. This is a lengthy blog, but you will see some themes that all agree on and some different opinions on other things.

Happy Packing!

Email 1:

Backpack:

A large backpack is ideal. You’ll have to carry all your stuff wherever you go. You might want to ask for one for a birthday or Christmas gift. You might also want a small carry on bag to keep valuables with you as you travel. Some Racers have chosen backpacks that can double as rolling duffel bags. This can be a good option if you can find one available for the right price.

Tent:

Each team will need a minimum of one tent for females and one for males. Team assignments will be made during or after training. Previous Racers recommend having your own personal tent. It will add weight and it will take up room. However, having a space that is only yours is very valuable at points along the trip. Remember also that a tent must fit you and your belongings comfortably. Remember this when considering how many people can fit in your tent.

We also recommend mosquito netting.

Physical Training

Get a medical check-up first to get your doctor’s okay, then practice walking with a backpack with 10 lbs, gradually increasing the weight to 60 lbs. [add 10 lbs per week] and working out to the point where you can easily climb several flights of stairs and walk a long distance without being winded.

Squats – practice without support!

Email 2:

Large Backpack or Rolling Bag- I would suggest bringing a large rolling back that doubles as a backpack. You can find large duffels that also have the backpack straps built in. This way when you do have to carry your packs, you can… but I can tell you at times you will be very thankful for the wheels. Your bag can never be too light. Remember this when packing… you are going to accumulate lots if things fast and you will still have to be able to carry your bag.

Daypack- if you have a large daypack… it will be full, but if you have a small daypack you have less room to stuff… which means it weights less. Think LIGHT…

Deodorant- though this adds a bit of extra weight, it’s good to have extra with you. This can be very hard to find… strong scent is always good. J

Sleeping Pad- This is a MUST. There will be many times that you do not have a bed to sleep in and if you do not have one of these for multiple nights in a row you will feel the effects.

Pillow- you will get sick of stuffing a pillowcase with clothes find a way to bring a pillow.

Mailing Items Home- This is an option in many countries and from our experience most (not all) of the time it’s reliable… so if you do collect things along the way and your bag is too heavy, mailing is an option; though it can be very expensive.

Camping Items- Certain camping items are definitely a must…

• Tent- something important to think about when buying a tent is this… you and your bag(s) have to be able to fit in the tent, you bag pretty much adds up to another person. With that said, it would be worth every person purchasing a tent for him or herself and not sharing a tent.
• Sauce pan
• Plate
• Cup- with lid if possible… is also good to be able to hold hot and cold drinks and big enough to double as a bowl. If you are a coffee drinker, be careful with the metal cups… they seems to get VERY hot.
• Spoon, Fork, Knife
• Gerber (aka Leatherman)… multi-use tool. A huge benefit.
• Element- this is a device that plugs into the wall and is able to heat your water at a rapid rate.
• Individual camping stove- if you are going to buy this, spend the money and buy one that uses all fuel types. Don’t get more than one per group.

Greeting and Thank You Cards- through out the trip, though you can purchase postcards… you are going to want to send cards home to say hello, thank you, happy birthday, praying for you, etc… so bring some with you.

Books- you will need lots of books… however they are very heavy. Get together with everyone and only bring one copy of a book. For example you don’t need 3 copies of Blue Like Jazz… bring one and rotate it around. If you are interested in knowing some “good” books feel free to ask. Be careful and don’t bring ones that are too hard or you “might” read because you won’t.

Peanut Butter- what can I say… you can put this on almost anything and make it good. Remember you are going to be on an extremely tight budget and you will have to find ways to make things taste good. You can find this in some countries, but it is very expensive… so you can get your supporters to send you some along the way.

Care Packages- It’s always fun to get these. Many countries you go to AIM will have a contact there you can use to get a package sent. So if there are things that come up and you want, you need, you forgot, ran out of, or just miss… most of the time they can be sent to you.

Vitamins- parents are going to hate me for saying this, but do not bring vitamins unless you are really going to take them. They add extra weight that you do not need. If you think you are going to or you might… don’t bring them because you won’t. However, I will say this… it is very good to take them since your diet will be extremely out of wack. A multi-vitamin and vitamin C is always good.

Drugs- Advil, Aleve, Tylenol, Excedrin… you may be able to find these every now and then but I advise to bring a supply of them.

Dramamine- you will need lots of this, especially if you get motion sickness easily. Some of the places you are going have very rough, whindy roads, and at many times public transport can make you a bit queasy.

First Aid Kit- you may think that you are not going to need this, but make sure your team at least has 1… you will be gone for a year; this will come in very handy. Make sure to have Benadryl, anti-biotic cream, and insect bite cream in it.

Shoes- you are going to be doing a lot of walking and while you are walking you are going to be carrying very heavy luggage. Your shoes are going to ear out fast. Buy good reliable shoes, but also be prepared to purchase several different pairs along the way; especially sandals… shoes will wear out fast.

Towel or Sarong- you are going to need a towel, however… girls if you bring a sarong it can double as your towel and a swim cover up.

Eating Habits- be aware your eating habits are going to be all out of whack. Many of us came on the trip expecting to loose weight and many came expecting to gain… well, the people that wanted to loose gained and those that wanted to gain have loss. Just be careful and smart about what you eat and lay off of junk and sugar as much as you can.

Pictures- in every country you go to people will want to see your friends and family, be sure to bring pictures of them. This will also help you during the times that you are starting to miss home.

World Map- bring one along… that way you will always know exactly where you are and where you are going.

Water Camera- each team should have 1 or 2 of these for the times that you need to capture what you wouldn’t be able to with a normal one… such as snorkeling, swimming in caves, the crystal clear oceans, etc. J

Skype- this is a program on the computer that can be downloaded and for a few dollars (about $10 US) you can set up an account with credit on it to call home. $10 gives you about 8 hours of talk time. This is a program on the computer, so you have to be on the internet to use it. Most internet cafes that you go to will have it already downloaded and have the headset (headphones with a mic) there you can use. It is a good idea to bring an extra headset with you for the cafes that don’t provide them.

Feet- look at your feet… aren’t they nice and clean? Well, enjoy them while they last because after this year your feet will never be that clean again. Black will be the new color. You will be walking miles and miles and you will be in places that are not clean, your feet definitely get to know the effects of that.

Hair- keep in mind… simple. You will not be able to use hairdryers, flat irons, or any other styling tool. There will be many times that you go days without showers; you need to be able to do something with “dirty” hair.

Head shaver: If you are a guy my guess is that you are going to do this once or twice throughout the year. Talk to the other racers because you don’t all need one. One or two will get you through the year.

Outlet Converter/Voltage Converter- for i-pods, battery chargers, computers, and any other electrical appliance this is a must. Do not ever assume you don’t need a voltage converter… you will ruin the item.

Jump Drive/Flash Drive- you will be taking lots of pictures and will be blogging a lot. These are a must. I personally have 2 2GB jump drives and by the 5^th month they were both full. In the case that they get full, always remember you can burn what is on there to CD and start fresh again.

Computer- every team needs one. These are very heavy and that can get frustrating while traveling. However if every team shares one, you can take turns carrying it.

Head Lamp- spend the money and buy a good one… this is a must; you will use it a lot. Flash lights do work, but many times you will have to be able to use your hands and not be able to hold a flash light.

Jeans- only pack 1 pair… no more.

Light Weight Clothes- remember it is going to be very hot many places you are going, also remember that you are going to be hand washing many times and the lighter things are the easier and they dry fast.

Camera- hello… you are traveling the world… you have got to have a camera. Digital is the best, so you can put pictures on the blog.

1,000 Things to Do Before You Die- this is a book and many of the things that are in it are places that you might go to. Get it and look through it so you know what “fun” things there is to do in one place. (Of course not everyone needs this book)

7 Wonders of the World- do you know what they are? Check them out and see if you are going to any of those places.

Clothes Pins and Line- you wall be hand washing clothes a lot and wall need these to be able to dry your clothes.

Face Wipes and Baby Wipes- lots and lots (but do keep in mind that you can purchase them on your trip) there will be many times that you can not take showers and this will be your only for of showers.

Alarm Clock- you will be tired so make sure you get one that is loud so it will wake you up.

Bug Spray- with or without deat it is up to you.

Baseball Caps or Headbands- these are a must when you have been without a shower for several days.

Nail care Set- since your feet are gong to se the effects of this trip it is very handy to carry one of these in your big bag (not small airport security does not like that). Also… bring some nailpolýsh remover and nailpolýsh… it will be good to feel a little girly now and then.

Phone Numbers and Addresses- at home you are use to having your cell phone with all the numbers in there that you need. Make sure to have important numbers that you might want with you and also addresses for friends family and supporters.

Blanket- this is something that you may choose not to bring but I brought a fleece blanket and it is the one thing I have that makes me feel like home no matter what and I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Raincoat- or any other water proof jacket… you are gong to encounter all kinds of weather.

MP3 or IPod- you will want music so don’t go without one of these.

Cipro meds- get 2 prescriptions of these… you will use them.

ID Badges- put these on everything that you own.

Travel Wallet- this is good to have things all in one place and know where they are… however be careful with them when people see them they know that is where all your valuables are.

Contact Solution- you can not find this anywhere make sure to bring some with you and have people prepared to mail you some as well.

Bathing Suit- girls I know that you think 1 piece are stupid and I will agree that I think that as well but do not think you are not going to swim for a year. I promise if you think that you are very wrong in many places its too hot not to… bring one!!!!

Remember that you are going to be gone for a year. Bring something that you love that you like and makes you feel good. There will be times that these things help.

When packing think about things that can “double up”… all about saving space.

Pick something to collect from each country as you are traveling. For example patches or stickers.

Do NOT Pack:

Clothes that “almost” or “barely” fit.

Bulky shoes.

Email 3:

Stuff I Wouldn’t Leave Behind

• Top AND front loading pack … be sure you purchase a pack with at least 2 openings (or else plan to be a REALLY organized packer! Ha.) It ends up being too much of a hassle to dig through your stuff from only the top. Better access with 2.
  • Some people really likes the “travel packs” with or without wheels. I prefer the traditional “back pack”.
  • SUGGESTION – buy one NOW and live out of it at home for a few weeks. Get used to finding stuff, see how much stuff fits, carry it up and down the stairs etc.
• Big Duffle bag or pack cover to put your pack in for travel and airports.
• Stuff sacks or packing cubes!!! It will make your life SO much better. Come up with a packing system that works for you! I suggest the Eagle Creek Packing Cubes: 2-3 Large + 1-2 small.
• Chacos (sandles) … the WR’s best friend. You’ll be walking a lot! They are durable, easy to clean, and well worth the pretty penny you pay for them!
  • I also had Reef’s and liked having both, but it takes up more space.
• Water Proof Tennis Shoes, buy these early and wear them for a week or more at home! Be sure you like them!
• Sleeping Bag Liner … useful for hot nights outside of your actual sleeping bag and as an extra blanket/warmth when you get cold on those long bus/plane rides. Keeps your bag clean, and stink free!
• DOWN sleeping bag … yes, probably more expensive, but worth it in the weight you save. Don’t let them talk you into a synthetic bag. You’ll have to be more careful with it and not get it wet – but this should be okay if you have a good tent. Otherwise you’ll be inside in churches and what not so it should be fine! -15 degree is good!
• Raincoat … go for quality here. Lightweight and breathable are the main two factors that need to be considered. You will be using it not only in the rain, but also as an extra layer when it gets cool in the mornings/evenings. Once again, they can get pricey, but consider it an investment … you’ll be wearing it all year long! I suggest rain pants as well – again, you decide if you have space.
• Hand Sanitizer … this will end up being priceless! One large bottle and one small bottle to refill. You can buy more in larger cities.
• Travel Pillow … takes up space, but it will be worth it!
• Travel Locks … One for your day pack zippers (school size backpack) and one for your pack or travel duffle.
• Flash Drive … 1Gig is plenty big … mainly used for dumping pictures and blogs up on the internet and swapping things between teammates
• Nalgene … don’t necessarily need the largest size, the 16 oz. will do just fine and it’s less heavy when full …. You’ll have to fill up more often, but it’s not that big of deal. Get a splash guard. And a key chain carabineer to clip it.
• Small Calculator … especially if you end up being the finance person. It’s nice to have one on you though anyway because of all the conversion rates
• 1 box freezer quart Ziplock bags … You’ll use them for just about everything. When you pack, take everything out of boxes and bottles, use ziplocks to save space.
• A good journal … you will pretty much take this wherever you go. Especially with training and teaching times, the best you can normally do is take as many notes as possible and then process it later as you have time. Your head will be spinning pretty much day in and day out … and in the end (whether it’s 2 weeks later or next year), you will be thankful that you recorded your thoughts/prayers/questions/lessons/etc.
  • I used my PALM Pilot with a keyboard and loved it! If you take a Palm be sure to get SD w/ USB cards (kinda hard to find).
• Books … super important, but don’t bring too many. With 50 people on the trip, you will share and swap … so find your favorites and leave the rest behind! I would recommend 2 or 3. (check with your team/squad to see what books are already packed so you don’t double up!) Take paperbacks, the weight adds up. Download e-books if you can.
• One warm layer … be it a zip-up jacket or a hooded sweatshirt or a lightweight fleece, it will be useful in places where it gets colder in the mornings and evenings (and again, on the cold bus rides!!!)
• 10 pair of underwear. I like the REI “Patagonia” brand. 5 pair of good socks, I like “Smart Wool”
• ELECTRONICS: Argh, I am the wrong person for advice here. I am a computer addict. I have my macbook laptop and a back up hard drive. I love it. I also have a PALM PILOT and an ipod and digital camera. I would not have left without my ipod for sure, and IF I had room I would have brought small speakers. That said, this is a great chance to leave all that stuff behind. Seek the Lord here, talk to your team and decide as a team how much STUFF you need to take to be able to blog and store pictures etc.
• IF you take supplements at home, bring them IF you will take them. I suggest a good pro-biotic and garlic extract (natural anti-microbial) at the least – pack 3-4 months worth. You can buy more at major cities. I brought all homeopathic remedies, this is personal choice.

For the LADIES only:

• Earrings!!! Or something else that makes you feel pretty! After wearing the same clothes day after day, it is nice to “dress” things up a bit with jewelry. This is something you can buy along the way as well, but it’s nice to have a little something to start out with!
• Sarong … They are multi-functional and can be used as a towel, a swimsuit cover-up, or even a sheet
• Real bra’s are my preference. I brought 3 Victoria Secret and would not have changed it for sports bra’s for anything. Bring what you are comfortable in at home. Just cause you are traveling the world, don’t think you are suddenly going to become camp girl if you have been a valley girl for years and vica-versa.
• Cute hat or a couple of bandanas … your hair will get nasty! Plan for ways to hide/cover it up on days that you can’t get to a shower or water source!!!
• Some nice clothes … you will get really tired of the same gross t-shirts day after day! You will have the opportunity though to dress up more than you might think … one or two cute shirts would be good. And skirts are worn all the time so make sure you have two or three to start the trip … then, like before, you can buy along the way!
• On the same note … bring REAL clothes – stuff you won’t mind wearing day after day. Don’t worry about finding good “camping” clothes or stuff that needs to dry quickly. You are going to want to feel semi-normal instead of like a boy scout every day! The only quick drying thing that might be useful is a pair of swim shorts.
• 1 pair of jeans, heavy to pack so wear them on most travel days, but worth taking! Bring your favorite pair from home (but I DON’T suggest a pair with holes, they are not nice enough for some places, AND the holes tend to get bigger fast!)
• One piece swim suit (with breast padding) – try to bring one you kind of like. If you hate the typical Speedo, find something else. You will wear it more than you may think, lots of trips to waterfalls, beaches, etc.. God Willing!
• I suggest the “Diva Cup” it takes a bit of getting used to, but many of us this year have it and love it. If you bring tampons, non- applicator ones will take up less space. Or buy the compact ones. Pack enough for 3-4 months max… you can buy more!
• Makeup … IF you wear make up at home, bring it. A general 5-piece set will do you just fine … blush, mascara, eyeliner, cover-up and eye shadow. More is up to your discretion. Just remember, you will get pretty sticky/sweaty/nasty at times! J Side note – IF you feel led to let your true beauty shine this year without the makeup cover up, it’s a great chance to leave all that stuff behind as well.
• Face lotion and Face wash or Daily Facials (cut them into halves or quarters)

Stuff You Could EASILY Leave Behind

• You NEVER need more than one of ANYTHING! Buy along the way … don’t get sucked into thinking “this is the only chance I have so I will pack 50” … this is not good logic
• Every medicine known to man … you won’t use it. Pack a little IBProfen, some headache medicine, and that’s about it! If you need something more, you can easily usually find a place to buy it
• Full size bottles of anything … go with the travel size for EVERYTHING! Saves space and weight in your pack … simply refill along the way
• Heavy hiking boots – don’t bring them (tennis shoes, chacos, reefs MAX)
• Camp/All-Purpose Soap … They claim it can be used for everything from brushing your teeth to washing your dishes or clothes. First of all, it’s gross to use for your teeth, and we have just bought soap along the way so we don’t have to carry it. Plus, you can use just about anything from body wash to shampoo to wash your clothes when you actually do them by hand.

LOVE YOU ALL… we are hear to help you.

Kelly and Michelle WR 2007 – Team Agapetos

Feel free to email me [email protected]

LAST ADVICE, don’t panic… no matter what you forget, someone will have it, that is what community is all about. If you are meant to have it – God will provide, really!!! ALL that said, you are still going to panic. So my advice is this… get to AFRICA… just get to race launch… whatever you have to do. In my case I shoved all my stuff in my pack at 2 am, a few hours before my 6 am flight! I DO NOT SUGGEST THAT. But whatever happens, we will help you from Africa, your team will be there for you… just get there!

Email 4:

Hello 2007 World Racers. My name is Kim and I am currently on the World Race. I thought I would come up with some helpful hints for ya’ll for next years race. I really had no “backpack” experience before this year…so consider this list the “Backpacking for Dummies”. Since you have a while before the trip…I suggest going to the used sales at REI and looking on-line. All of these things really ADD UP, so start NOW!!

2007 Things to Pack

• a GOOD/COMFORTABLE backpack (make sure it is fitted properly..you will have to walk A LOT with it…and keep it as light as possible)
• a small day pack
• sleeping pad (the REI brand is the one I have…i love it)
• sleeping bag for cold and hot weather (the smaller the better..i got mine used)
• sarong (use as a towel, it dries fast and packs small…can also be used as a sheet)
• bandana (use as a washcloth and in your hair)
• pillow (i have a normal size one. it is annoying to carry, but is worth it to me)
• tent (i have a tent for myself…it is nice to have your space. when you camp…it is REALLY HOT)
• sheet (have accessible in airports/train stations)
• waterproof stuff sacks (makes packing easier and you don’t want everything to get wet…you never know when you will need to swim into a cave)
• extra zip lock baggies
• hat or visor

shoes–go for comfort over style

• 1 pair of chacos (waterproof sandals with support and traction)
• 1 pair of good/waterproof sneakers (the lighter the better)
• 1 pair of reefs or quality flip-flops (you will LIVE in these)

clothes–you will want to look nice. it gets old looking like a scrub!!!

• 2 skirts (black is best…they will get dirty. don’t forget a slip)
• lots of shirts (you will get bored of the same clothes)
• 1 pair of jeans (heavy for packing and hard to dry, but necessary…i think)
• 2 pair of pants/capris (wrinkle free…YEAH RIGHT)
• shorts (use for bathing suit cover and pajamas)
• fleece and 1 long sleeve t-shirt (you can buy a winter coat for CHEAP if you go to China…I would not bring a good one)
• one piece bathing suit (some places require shorts also)

Also…remember that you can get almost everything in the big countries. Do not pack in bulk. Less is BETTER!!

• Sunscreen
• lotion
• foot scrubber (pumice stone…your feet will never be the same after this trip)
• q-tips (if you cut the middle part out..you can bring a lot more)
• baby wipes
• nail stuff (i have painted little girl’s nails all over the world)
• tissues (back up toilet paper…YOU WILL NEED IT)
• aleve
• pepto/immodium
• malaria pills (do not bring a ton of meds..they take up too much room)

Don’t forget

• small journal (write in it everyday…you will see so much, you will forget what you did the day before)
• small bible (read a psalm everyday and write what you did that day..that psalm will have a special memory)
• sharpee marker (i am always looking for one)
• thank you cards
• camera with rechargeable AA batteries (you can find extra AA’s everywhere if need be)
• plug adapter (buy the cheap one…it works great)

I would not bring a nalgene bottle or water filters. we have had to buy bottled water everywhere.

Pick something to do in every country. Ex. take a picture of the flag, buy a patch or magnet, eat McDonalds, buy a christmas ornament. It is entertaining.

You can send stuff home, that is what we have been doing.

You will do everything on this trip…see a snake charmer, sleep in airports and train stations, ride in every possible mode of transportation (maybe not a hot air balloon, i’m still hopefull), eat crazy food, crave McDonalds, pick lice eggs out of hair, trat scabies, teach English, sing in public, visit detention centers, love and be loved, jump off moving trains, get pushed, get stared down, get puked on (long story), get car sick, be in a really high altitude/low altitude, climb volcanoes, eat bugs, hug water buffaloes, shop, sit in internet cafes, ride elephants, buy a car, sell a car, miss trains, get stuck in turnstiles, order chicken with the head, swim under waterfalls, take salsa lessons, swim through caves, snorkel, be attacked by sales people, pay $5 for bottled water, bathe in lakes, eat tortillas with every meal, picnics, make pancakes for 13 people with one pan, build houses, learn new languages, pee on the side of the rode..in the snow, sleep on a bus with monks, shower with buckets, lose all sense of date and time, experience chicken buses, rent motorbikes, get a ticket, play April Fools Jokes, get Thai massages, have dinner with royalty and not know it, have diarreah, be constipated, appreciate air condition, desire heat…etc.

These things all REALLY happend (only in the first 6 months of the trip). This entertaining stuff has NOTHING on the ministry we have participated in.

Be prepared for this year to change your life. If you need anything…I’m here. Feel free to email me anytime. I would love to help!!! [email protected]

Love, Kim

Email 5:

I would recommend bringing a laptop especially if you are going to journal and do your blogs on it (Groups do share a lot but sometimes it gets really complicated when there are only a couple of laptops out there, especially towards the end of the trip). It saves you so much time to do your blogs on the computer and have the pics ready and on a flash drive when you get to the Internet cafe. I would assume we would have wireless maybe 5% of the time next year. A lot of times those spots are in connection cities or airports. (only a caution and I rebuke the enemy in Jesus name on this subject. 4 out of our 7 computers were stolen this year). You will need an external hard drive or flash discs, Cds or something to back up your stuff. When someone loses their computer with all of their pics on it, we need to learn from that.

Passport. You are going to almost need a completely empty passport. One suggestion is that you sometimes monitor where they stamp your pages because sometimes they just stamp anywhere on an empty page. When you need a visa they need a completely empty page. Some countries only stamp little stamps. Try and guide them. Anyways the moral of the story you need plenty of pages. You are a world traveler now. (we recommend sending your passport to have extra pages sewn in)

Malaria Meds. I have malarone. I was told to get that one because of nightmares and going crazy on the others. I did have some side effects on malarone though. I got very sluggish and had some difficulties with my stomach/diarrhea. Needless to say they all are not cool. We were very lucky this year and only had to take them one month. Being a missionary is sometimes not the easiest. I am sure you saw that when you saw the umpteen needles injected into your arm. LOL.

Tent. I do recommend that each person has a two person tent. The only thing wrong with that is that some campgrounds charge per tent and per person so that causes a little problem with the funds. I have my own two person tent which really is a one person. If people want to tent together and help with space, I would really recommend no more than a three person tent. Teams need to talk on this issue.

Things you need.

Headlamp,

Your own cutlery (plate/bowl) spoon/knife/fork

We need to have everyone talk on books as well. There really shouldn’t be more than one copy of required reading books per team. They take up space and weight. Teams talk to each other on what books you are bringing. They get passed around like crazy.

Please feel free to ask any other question. I am a little out of it right now and can’t think of much more at the present time.

God Bless.

Chad Mast