I’ve been thinking a lot about my baggage lately. Literal baggage, not figurative.We are about to end month 6, and I am reviewing what I have in my possession.
On our way to Africa it was an incredible struggle getting checked into our flight just because I had so much STUFF.
I had my big pack, which had to be under 24 kilos…ugh
Then it was also one of the few times they weighed our day packs, which they wanted under 7 kilos….haha.
When on the World Race, you become an EXPERT at getting onto the plane with far more than typically allowed.
Anyways, here is what I currently have, but I CONSTANTLY think about downsizing and challenging myself to live even more simply.
Before I left I remember reading packing list after packing list. I read so many things I almost didn’t know what to bring any more. Everyone’s packing looks very different. I made space for things that people on my team would never make space for.
So here is what I’ve learned from being on the race for 6 months.
CLOTHES
Most people will tell you not to bring jeans, or a cute top, or anything normal. You might read a lot of quick dry this, quick dry that…which works for some people. Bring clothes that easily mix and match, but make you feel HUMAN. Sitting in a cafe I am currently wearing leggings, a bro tank and my jean shirt.
Pants/skirts:
If you love jeans, bring one or two pairs of jeans.
If you wear leggings all the time (I did) bring a pair. You will want them for planes, trains, and automobiles. (I also ran into some ministries that are totally cool with you wearing leggings)
I didn’t start the race with either of these items and ended up buying them in Malaysia and ditching my random baggy “missionary” pants. Its amazing how wearing a pair of jeans on the race will class up an outfit tenfold.
If you love running shorts, bring them, just be aware of when its culturally appropriate to wear them.
Bike shorts/spandex: I started with 2 pair and now only have 1. But I wear them under skirts, dresses, hiking waterfalls etc 😉
I have 2 dresses and 3 skirts, but I plan on dropping skirts before we head to Europe.
Tops: Bring tops you like (not love, because you will get stains and rips), you wont be doing construction or in a village for 11 months.
Bring a few solid colored V-neck Ts. They go with everything
Tank tops…for layering.
I prefer bro-tanks, dress down, dress up, they are useful and COMFORTABLE.
I have 1 nice top, I can pair with jeans to look cute (trust me ladies, if you enjoy looking cute in the states, you WILL want that every once in a while.) I also picked it up in Malaysia, when I revamped my wardrobe.
I have a jean button down and a plaid button down I wear all the time. Wear them on their own, or over tanks and T’s.
Shoes:
Chaco’s
Tennies- I have only used my tennis once and will be sending them home with my parents at PVT.
Flip flops.
Undergarments:
I brought about 15 pairs of underwear, 2 sports bras, and 2 regular bras. I’ve not regretted the amount I brought. 3 pairs of socks.
CLOTHES IN ALL:
-2 pairs of jeans
-1 pair of leggings
-1 pair of bike shots
-1 pair of mesh shorts
-1 pair of stretchy capri’s
-3 skirts
-2 dresses
-2 v-neck T’s
-2 brotanks
-3 layering tank tops
-1 baseball T
-1 niceish top
-4 bras (2sport, 2 reg)
-15 pairs underwear
-flip flops
-tennies
-chaco’s
-raincoat -fleece
*DISCLAIMER* I will be downsizing considerably in month 9 at PVT. My parents have graciously agreed to bring a 40L bag and I plan on sizing down to about half of what I have.
If I can tell you anything…bring less than you think you need. You will pick things up…everywhere. People will give you things, you will buy things that you don’t want to get rid of because they have memorial value.
TOILETRIES
toothpaste
toothbrush
travel shampoo/conditioner (you can pick up shampoo EVERYWHERE, even Africa..I did it yesterday)
face wash
loofa
perfume/body spray (trust me, if you wear it you want it)
Make up essentials (I wish I brought a little more, there are occasions to wear it)
-eye liner
-mascara
-concealer
-brow pencil
tampons for a year (you actually can’t find them anywhere with an applicator)
2 travel towels (I switched them out at the 1/2 way point)
hair ties
earings & nose rings
MEDS:
Advil
pepto bismo
traveler’s diarrhea meds
anti itch cream
small 1st aid kit/bandaids
DO NOT BUY MALARIA MEDS IN THE STATES: Its extremely expensive, and they have a weekly pill in Africa that you can get for less than $5 for all you need while you are there. I never took malaria meds in Asia, it wasn’t needed.
*I started the race with daily vitamins and probiotics. I dropped them month 3 because I never took them. If you take them already, bring them. If you don’t (me) leave them home.
NECESSITIES
Tent (if you are tall…make sure its long enough for you. I just got one with good reviews on amazon)
Sleeping pad (the most important thing.) I have the big agnes and LOVE it.
sleeping bag liner (I did not bring a sleeping bag, I’ve never needed it…but I have kept a small plane blanket from flights)
pillow (I brought my full size pillow and DO NOT regret it, I put it in a stuff sack for travel)
passport holder (to sling over your shoulder during travel. it holds passport, yellow fever card, passport pics, plane tickets, insurance card, etc. The important things) Schwabb Card. (no international or ATM fees. THE way to go)
license
student ID card (sometimes you can get in places for free or cheaper with it)
Big pack. I have the Gregory Diva, 60L but I will be going smaller soon.
Day pack. I have a 35L pack
TECH
Camera (DSLR Cannon T1i, got it refurbished for far less)
SD card
tripod
camera case
watch- BRING THIS
Laptop (I brought my mac w/ adobe software. I love photos and im a designer) charger
several pairs of ear buds
ipod & charger
external hardrive (mine is now almost full of raw images and movies)
world plug adaptor
*I chose not to bring a phone on the race. I have not regretted it. If I was traveling alone I would want one, but I’m not, and I have loved the half a year of it not being attached to my hip. I feel a lot more present.
OTHER:
I’m an artist..so I brought:
Sketch book
colored pencils
acrylic paint
paint brushes
acrylic ink
pencils
sharpener
art pens
watercolor paper
canvass board (I carry the board under my arm when I travel)
Coffee
crystal light
travel pour over
travel mug
pocket knife
smaller day pack (drawstring) to bring on day trips
hammock and straps (loved this in the rural area where there isn’t a lot of seating) needle and thread
a few books to trade between team and squad mates.
pictures (you will want them)
Bible
journal
Thats what I have in my bag. I hope to have helped a little if you are looking at lists. Bring what you deem important. If you feel strongly about bringing it, you probably should. Trust your gut, and remember you are going to pick up stuff from EVERYWHERE. In all reality there is stuff all over the world. There are malls, stores, markets etc. and you will find things. Don’t stress. You can make it with a lot less than you think. 😉
