For potential World Racers or those of you who would like to see what is in that enormous bag I am carrying around for 11 months. Sorry I didn’t get super specific with brands. If you’re interested let me know! With being asked to be a squad leader and knowing I was going to have a little more travel than normal I decided to send some things home at the end of month 5.
Equipment
Backpack
Daypack (Waterproof!)
Airporter
Tent and poles (sent home month 5)
Headlamp
Key rings (to use to lock zippers)
Carabineers
Hammock (I’ve slept in my hammock a lot)
Slap straps
Small Kavu Purse
Wallet with card protectors
Stuff sacks
4 Packing cubes (used mainly for clothes)
**I ordered my gear from Gear for the Journey (tent, sleeping bag, pack)
Bedding
Sleeping Pad
Sleeping Bag
Bag Liner
Pillow (blow up)
Clothes
Raincoat
Fleece Sweater
Skinny jeans
Pair of lightweight pants (elastic bottom to double into capris)
2 Workout shorts
2 Regular shorts between knee and mid-thigh length
1 Ankle length skirt
5 t shirts
3 Nice shirts for church or to wear on nice occasions (ended up giving one away)
3 tank tops (ended up giving one away)
Nightgown
Long sleeve shirt
2 “cardigans” – button up and jean (sent my cardigan home)
Long tights/capri tights
Maxi dress (sent home)
Tankini and 2 bottoms
7 regular socks
1 black under shirt
15 pairs of underwear
1 Lululemon towel
3 regular bras
3 Sports bras
Shoes
2 pair runners (used one pair only for first half of the race and then gave them away, month 6 started using the new pair)
1 pair flats (crocs name brand)
Flip flops
Toiletries
Travel size shampoo/conditioner (refill all the time on the race)
2 travel Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Mascara
Eyeliner
Bronzer and brush (tanned on race so used instead of foundation)
Some girls swear by nail polish (for yourself and to bond with other girls)
Face wash (bring enough for the year if you are particular)
Natures Aid Cream – this is a moisturizer that is awesome and doubles for first aid remedies
2 Headbands
50ish Hair elastics
A lot of bobby pins
Diva cup
Wide toothed comb
2 Deodorant sticks (you can find them on the race)
Baby powder (got rid of and regretted in Asia once I realized that Thais weren’t sweating cause they baby powder after showering)
Bug spray – never used (I don’t get bug bites)
Coconut oil (small container)
Travel size razor and razor cartridges (4)
2 Tweezers
Floss
Sunscreen (gave away I don’t use it)
A few hair clips
Supplements/ Medicine
Probiotics
Arnica sore muscle rub
Sleep Aid – I used a natural one and Benadryl on desperate accounts (you’ll want these for long plane rides or rough nights)
Green supplement (you really don’t get that many vegetables on the race)
Stool softener
Ibuprofen – hard to find in other parts of the world
Nausea or car sickness meds (Gravol)
Anti-itch – Benadryl and topical
Yeast infection meds (just in case)
Tea tree oil
Oil of oregano – haven’t had a cold yet, take every time I feel the start of one
*There are GNCs in every country almost
Electronics
Laptop
Ipod
Phone
Chargers for all of the above
Camera – haven’t used much (use my phone)
Chargers for camera
Travel convertor
External hard drive
2 USB
Power strip
Headphones (4 pairs)
Documents
Passport
Journal (bring one you can buy more on the race)
Bible
Passport pics (6)
Copies of passport and licence
Misc
Baby wipes
Pens
Earplugs
Night mask (saving grace as I go to bed early)
Laundry bag
Spork (bowls, etc not necessary)
Ziploc bags (super handy!)
Glue stick
Lifeproof Case for my phone
2 pairs of sunglasses
Travel lock (really handy at hostel stays)
Tide to go stick
1 pair earrings
1 Necklace
Travel detergent (if you prefer the smell of Tide, I brought one for luxury)
Travel size mousse
Dryer sheets
Letters from home (my family and friends wrote me letters that I opened each month)
Advice I wish I followed
Duct Tape – bring some (great for holes in airporters or whenever)
A multi-use tool
Bring an extra toothbrush for cleaning water bottle
Get a stainless steel water bottle, Nalgenes get moldy
Misc Tips
Water is harsh in a lot of countries bring or find a deep treatment for your hair to use at some point (especially if you have curly hair)
Write down different ways you have tried packing and keep note of the best one
Remove your tent and “stuffable things” and put them in a compression sack – saves a lot of room
It’s totally possible to use a plastic water bottle and refill it all month
You’ll want something to change the flavour of your water – Starbucks via, Crystal light, anything, bring a few of your favorites and then you can find more throughout the race
We ended up doing a lot of painting – bring something that is okay to get destroyed or wear your stuff inside out in order to “save face”
When you wash your clothes, hang them inside out to dry to save them from fading
Money Tips
Bring way more money than AIM suggests – I set my budget at around $100 a month and was definitely not enough. You are seeing things and getting exposure to once in a life time opportunities – you want to be able to take them. Fundraise extra outside of your AIM account if you can.
A lot of us waste a lot of money on food that reminds us of home – just know that is a real thing, it is one thing that brings familiarity – you will spend money on food
