I Should-a, Would-a, Could-a…

      I Should-a Packed (sorry guys lots of this is just for the ladies): 

         -Sarong: 
               These vivacious wrap around skirts 
               are a WR must have. Versatility is the name of
               the game when you find yourself at the airport tossing
               clothing in order to make specific weight
               restrictions. My team mates have used their
               sarongs as light skirts in hot weather, a handy towel
               (depending on the type of fabric), and a sheet for
               nights when it’s just way too hot to sleep in your
               sleeping bag (means you don’t have to bring a sleeping bag liner). My race
               route started and will pretty much stay in Asia, if you’re scheduled route is
               similar then don’t buy one at home just wait to hit up a market. The prices are
               better and there are thousands of different prints to choose from. We found
               them in both Thailand and Cambodia. (I didn’t buy one and now I want one.)      
         -Bras: 
               Consider a couple truths: 
                   
                    1) In certain places, aka Asia, the people are generally “smaller”. 
                     2) You’re clothing is going to be abused in a variety of ways. 

               Do not be cheap about packing underwear. The chances of finding a shop
               that sells underwear with western sizing is minimal. Pack accordingly. 
 
         -More regular/dressier clothing:

               If you teach english, (everyone on our squad has taught english), preach, do
               bar ministry in Thailand or just want to go out to eat with your squad
               mates you will be required (or will just want) to wear “dressier” clothing. It’s 
               also really nice to just have some “regular” comfortable clothing to wear. 

         -Work Clothes:

               Bring something comfortable that you can drench in sweat, get dirty, wash
               by hand in a bucket and hang to dry because you will need it. Material that
               repels sweat is a wise choice. Trust me you WILL sweat, you might even do it
               24/7. The material won’t stop you from experiencing the joys of back sweat
               but it just might decrease its intensity by a few degrees. 

        -Running Shoes: 

               You want running shoes not hiking boots. I had boots and I bought running
               shoes because they were too hot, too heavy and impossible to do every day
               stuff in. Even IF, (I say if because my team hasn’t had to do it yet), you have to
               carry your pack chances is are you won’t be carrying it far enough to make
                purchasing boots necessary. Flip flops are also a must have and they can be
               bought overseas if your feet are a fairly common size. That said buying a
               good, sturdy pair at home might be advisable. A lot of people on my team
               wear their rainbows on a daily basis.   

         -T-Shirts: 

               Pack or, if you’re going to Asia first, plan to buy light t-shirts. Dress code in
               every country, (including Australia folks), that we’ve been in so far has
               demanded that our shoulders be covered during ministry. Unfortunately
               I packed too many sleeveless shirts and not enough t-shirts. You will need
               them, you will sweat in them and they will probably be scrubbed to death and
               stretched out of shape by the end of the first month but they are definately
               necessary. Bring them. 

        -Travel Sized Hair Dryer: 

               I like to blow dry my hair. My daily routine while I was at home included blow
               drying my hair. I felt that bringing a hair dryer was stupid and impractical
               because I would never have the opportunity to use it. Guess what, I could
               have used it ever single month so far. AND for those who would smirk and
               dismiss it as unnecessary blow drying your hair actually prevents you from
               getting lice.

                                         Which leads me to my last point…

         -Lice shampoo/comb: 

                  My team mate brought head lice with her from Cambodia! Lucky for us
                  we have lice expert on our team and we just happen to be in Australia. We
                  found a pharmacy so we could buy the treatment and got rid of it
                  before everyone ended up with head lice. If you’re working with kids in the
                  3rd world chances are you will get head lice at some point. Be prepared
                  and at least pack a lice comb so that you can check for it and deal with it
                  before it becomes an epidemic within your team.      
          
That’s all I can think of for right now…
I’ll post more later on.

If you have any questions feel free to write a comment and I’ll attempt to help you out. 

G’day Mates! 

               Nicole. 

 Tye checking Chelsea for lice.