My world race has now come to an end, but I remember when I first signed up for the world race, and I just could NOT comprehend how someone can fit their life for 11 months in ONE backpack… ludicrous. I’m a straight city girl.. born and raised in NYC.. the outdoor,
backpacking life was like another galaxy for me. And I had no idea what
the heck I would need to use in the bush of Africa, or the jungles of
Asia… So I wanted to be prepared for it ALL.

Packing light has always been a bit of a “challenge” for me (don’t judge). And let me just preface this blog by saying that my squadmates have come to know me as the one with lots of bags.. and they are heavy! yikes… =x

SOOO my goal for writing this blog, is that you.. yes you future racer reading this blog, don’t have to go through the same scorn, ridicule, and shaking of heads by your future squadmates. (btw.. I would like to give a special “thank you” shout out to every brother and sister on my squad who has carried a purse for me, and/or my duffel bag for me… it was EXTREMELY appreciated) =)

Yes, you read correctly.. a duffel bag. Let’s start there.. I opted for a duffel bag that can be carried as a backpack the:

Samsonite Sport Bags and Duffles 24″ Backpack Duffle

It was extremely useful for travel days and I was able to us it as a carry on. It turns into a backpack, which was pretty nifty.

Then I bought a smaller daypack, that I used for going out on ministry days. I opted for this one:

Gregory Maya Backpack – Women’s – 1040cu

   mostly because it was pretty pink (don’t judge again). But it fits A LOT for a small daypack. That went inside my duffel often.

O.k. now the here are my BACKPACK tips:

1) FIRST MOST IMPORTANT PIECE OF ADVICE:
YOU CAN BUY CLOTHES EVERYWHEREEEEEEEEEEE
 Do NOT worry about whether you will have enough clothes or not. (especially if your route starts off in Asia *however, their clothes seem to be tailored to smaller sizes.. though most of it stretches).
* Bring knee length shorts, skirts, and dresses..  1 or 2 of each
would suffice. Believe me, it will save A LOT of headaches with
certain ministry contacts, and certain cultures. Also, it might be
difficult to find knee length items that fit you properly. Leggings are
always a GREAT clothes savior. And so are African wrappas… but you can get that there..

And not only that, but clothes are way CHEAPER.. unless you’re in Ireland.

It’s true.. bringing about a weeks worth of clothing really is sufficient. You can always pick stuff up along the way. So unless you have to get clothes especially made for you… fret not.

2) What you feel comfy wearing at home, bring on the race… (Except maybe heels.. though you may want to get those by the end of the race…again.. cheaper overseas) (I’m just starting to realize that this blog is prob more useful for ladies)

3)Bring one sweater for planes and cold climates.. Long sleeves.. 2 would be good to start.. again you can buy it overseas.

4) if you use Secret deodorant… GET enough for the 11 months.. 3 or 4.. there is NO Secret around the world.

5) Females you can find what you need, for those special times of the month, pretty much around the world, but prob not the brand you like.. however Tampax has made a name for itself… (yea.. def a ladies blog)

6) Inexpensive, but sturdy flip flops for showering. I got a pair form old navy.. and they were good to me for the 11 months.

7) Bug spray, and hand sanitizers were not in every country, but toiletries are. So unless you use something extremely specific, you don’t have to worry about finding it.

8) Books.. but don’t try to pack your bag with tons.. that was one of my downfalls early on the race.. I ended with two.

9) If you like to buy gifts for people, the duffel is a great place to store them… I may have stuffed a lil too much in mine =x… but I have a big family!

10) I bought two dry sacks for my electronics and important things, they were super helpful.

11) I still have my tent, though about half my squad dropped them. If you like to hammock, that’s a good option. I tried to hammock, but it was a bit too foreign for me, and I didn’t feel safe. So that’s an extra weight in my pack. Don’t make the same mistake.

12) I got a bug hut which was helpful sometimes, but a bug net would have sufficed. The bug hut is a bit bigger and bulkier to pack.

13) Triangleish items are the most annoying things to pack. Try to avoid them at all costs.

14) Stuff sacks were really useful in containing my clothes.

15) Some people brought knives and duct tape.. I brought neither. My teammates had knives, and I never had to use duct tape.

16) A small speaker to blast music from your comp or iPod. Impromptu dance parties with my squadmates, was often needed.

17) One of my best purchases for the race was a tiny umbrella. It was AWESOME, and I used it ALL the time. I preferred it over my rain jacket for going out during days and nights when there was rain. A lot of my squadmates used rainjackets though, and some others used neither.. Depends on how much you love/hate getting wet.

I hope this can shed some light… and light weight to your pack. Remember that every race experience is completely different. But these are basic things that I felt would be useful for you to know.

Just be at peace knowing that there are grocery stores, clothing stores, and internet ALL over the world. And be at peace knowing that what you truly NEED, God will provide anyways.

If you have any questions, feel free to email me.

I pray your race is as life transforming and heart wrecking as mine was. This is my new blogsite that will chronicle my time in Thailand www.agendalove.com. May you not come back the same way you left… and with a much lighter pack than mine =)

Agenda: Love,
Bethsaida