It’s just over halfway through the race, and what currently fills my backpack is vastly different than what I left America with in January. I’d thought I’d share some things I’m glad I brought, things I have picked up, and things I have either dropped or sent home. Hopefully travelers and future racers will find this helpful!
BROUGHT:
These are 11 items I am so glad I brought because they have been so useful to me:
- My camera, the Nikon D3400 with an 18-105mm lens: I’m in love with this camera and this lens. I recommend taking a good camera and not relying solely on your iPhone. I have so many high-quality photos that I’m going to blow up and print out!
- Asics Trail Runners in black: good for hiking, sports, working out, etc. I plan on walking El Camino in them too.
- Packable down coat: it’s light, small, waterproof, and warm. We’ve had so many cold evenings that have made me glad I brought it. (Mine is Uniclo brand)
- Dark wash, high rise skinny jeans: I. Love. These. Jeans. I’ve worn them frequently in every single country so far (except India…too hot…), and they’re great for dressing up and wanting to feel “normal”.
[Love these jeans (and also this picture on Abbey St. at 2am)] - Extension cord: so useful for airports, and where ever your staying where the outlet is too far away. Also great for sharing outlets with your teammates. I always bring one when I travel and it’s always useful.
- Resistance bands: ya girl looooves to work out, and not having a gym to go to is hard. But resistance bands are great! You can work out every part of your body and they pack well.
- Insulated water bottle: mine is metal and from Marshall’s, and it keeps cold water cold all day! It was especially appreciated in Peru and India when it was hot.
- External hard drive: I back up all my photos on mine, and I’ve also gotten movies from squad mates and I have over 200 movies on mine currently!
- Lipstick and pearls: I wore them every day in the states and I wear them every day on the race. They’re small things that make you feel normal on the race.
- Vans: I got these brown suede vans from a thrift store right before I left and I’m so glad I brought them. I’ve worn them every month (except India), and they’re great when I don’t want to wear sandals but I don’t want to wear my Asics either.
- Jumpsuit from Target. I loooove this jumpsuit and I wore it all the time. Sadly, I made the mistake of sending it home before India and I regret it. I thought that in Africa I would only be wearing long skirts in Africa and so far that has not been the case!
[Best jumpsuit in the world]
BOUGHT: things I’ve picked up on the race that have been useful or just really cool souvenirs
- Sony Bluetooth headphones: sadly, the Bluetooth pair I brought were tragically left in an Uber in Ecuador, so I got the Sony pair. Expensive, but worth it. I’ve used them every day.
- Smaller daypack: I picked up a hemp backpack in Katmandu and it’s been great for taking to ministry for the day or anywhere I’m carrying my laptop/camera.
- Yak’s wool scarf-blanket: also from Katmandu, this thing is so soft and warm and multi-purpose. I know I’ll use it for warmth in Europe and I’ll for sure keep using it at home. Good for cold planes and can be a pillow too!
- Yellow bird pants: I got these in India and they’re just so comfortable and light and awesome.
[Pants pants pants] - Sari: from India of course! I hadn’t planned on getting a Sari, I actually just wanted the top part to wear back at home, but I ended up getting the whole Sari getup and it’s beautiful (sent it back home in Nepal).
[Catch me making up excuses to wear this in the states] - Tapestry: bought in Nepal, sent home in Nepal. It’s going to look great in my apartment after the race!
- Striped pants: also from India: also super light and versatile. I’ll be able to wear leggings under them when it’s cold in Europe.
- Power converter: had to pick this up at an airport because the one I brought got fried and died in India ?
- Elephant shorts: like elephant pants, but shorts! (from Nepal). Good for working out/sleeping in/manual labor days
- Cheap sunglasses: because my prescription sunglasses died a tragic death in Rwanda, and I can’t live without sunglasses.
[He rocks them too] - $2 watch from an Indian street market: because it’s pretty. And I wear a watch every day.
DROPPED OR SENT HOME
- That jumpsuit from target: I regret not keeping it.
- Men’s basketball shorts (replaced by elephant shorts).
- Burgundy vintage pants: I do love these pants, but I wasn’t wearing them a lot, so I sent them home and will continue wearing them at home!
- Completed journal: sent home!
- Mini hair straightener: I started growing out my bangs, so I really don’t have a need for it any more. I don’t regret taking it initially though.
- Settlers of Catan dice game: I thought I would play it a lot, but I have not. I’ll send it home in Ethiopia.
- Elephant pants: I had had this pair since 2015, and it was just time to retire them.
- Hair cutting scissors: see number five.
- Purse: I replaced the one I got with a really nice one from Kathmandu.
- Microfiber towel: my beloved Turkish towel is all-sufficient, and I really only used the microfiber one as a sort of yoga mat for working out.
- Various small souvenirs I picked up: sent home!
Honorable mentions:
Big scissors/masking tape/computer paper: bring them; you’ll use them.
Power bank: the most useful thing for 40-hour bus rides and the frequent power outages you’ll come to view as normal.
Kindle: while I could have lived without it, it has been nice to read books on. I will, however, send mine home in Ethiopia.
Denim shirt: tres versatile.
Hiking sandals from REI: much lighter and dressier-looking than Chacos, but ultimately does the same thing.
And that’s all! if you have any specific questions, feel free to reach out!
