Dear future racers (mostly girls),
You probably now have a countdown to when you are going to leave.. I started mine about 4 months out!
Here are just a few words of advice from team Rebellious Love, we were at dinner the other night and talked about things we had brought/ hadn’t brought!
Sorry gentlemen.. you probably won’t get much from this!
Packing blogs are good to read, but don’t pack everything that said person packed… your route may be different and if you don’t have everything they do you maayyy just have a breakdown! ( there will be tears involved)
DONT READ THE BLOGS ABOUT PEOPLE GETTING SICK ON THE RACE! They may or may not freak you (and your parents) out
Trust me, it is totally different on the field, just take care of yourself and do everything you can to avoid things that will make you sick… the water.. uncooked meat etc! Always be aware!
Wear what you wear at home, wear what you find comfortable!
If you didn’t wear Chacos or Keens before the race don’t spend your money on them! (unless you want to!) 🙂
Bring sandals that you are comfortable in.. sometimes you walk a lot!
Bring a pair of flip flops.. they come in handy! (I didn’t and wish I had)
If you like to wear jeans.. bring them. I have worn my so much!
If you have men on your squad (and you probably will) a way to love them well is to not wear tight yoga pants etc.. or have longer shirts that cover!
I ditched my yoga pants after month 3.. they are bulky and the rest of the countries we were going to were going to be hot!
Don’t over load on the maxi skirts, they are super heavy and bulky to pack. I brought a black one and a striped one that can go with just about everything. If you bring a dress that covers your shoulders and knees bring it, you can always put leggings on and you will still feel cute!
Bring comfortable shorts to wear. In countries where you don’t have to cover your knees it is nice to have them! Have that pair of leggings handy just in case you need to cover them up though!
Bring underwear you are comfortable in, and pack extras that you can open up half way through. It will feel like Christmas!
Bring a cardi to cover your shoulders. ( it also comes in handy when you get to Africa and it is COLD!)
Don’t skimp on a sleeping pad, sleeping bag, or pillow buy ones that you think is comfortable! I totally wish that I had brought my pillow from home!
The lighter your tent weighs the better.
I haven’t used mine at all this race (except one week) but there are 5.5 more months to go so who knows!
You will be able to buy toiletries in other countries, so there is no need to stock up on shampoo.. soap etc!
Ladies… if you are going to Asian countries stock up on tampons they do not believe in them over here!
If you are a picture taker bring a camera.. I have loved mine!
I also take lots of pictures on my phone! (it is smaller and easier to take around)
Movies, sermons and books are good things to have on an external hard drive. They make for good quiet times, team times, and you will miss a good american sermon while you are gone!
If you straighten your hair.. bring a straightener, it can be stuffed into your daypack. Sometimes it is nice to have straight hair (its the little things) My teammate has one and loves it!
If you like to exercise before you leave you might want to bring some videos on your hard drive as well, they will come in handy if you like to run and aren’t able to!
Have friends and family write notes for you along the way, you will look forward to opening them and they will be a little piece of home.
There is probably a lot more to add to this so there may be a part two!
Racers feel free to add to this if you want to!
Get ready for the greatest experience of your life, it will be hard but it is so incredible!
Most importantly, make this race your own.. don’t compare your experiences to those who are on the field. Expect G*d to show up in big ways and you will be surprised in the ways that He does! Dive into the word, and follow after Him with a relentless pursuit!
I hope that this helps a little bit, if you have questions i would love to answer them!
love,
Hanna
