i started out with the most strategically packed 60L backpack- filled with all the things every packing blog tells you to bring. now here i am end of month five with no pillow, tent or sleeping pad- with three pieces of clothing i started with and with a pair of running shoes i have only used to paint in.
so cheers to the list of things i dropped and will never see again and to the insane gather of things i acquired instead.
at the end of month three i swaziland i had dropped said pillow, tent and sleeping bag along side both of my skirts, my cheap power strip, my ring light, t-shirt’s i hated but brought anyway, pants that no longer fit, wrecked white birks, travel sized hair straightener, a clothes line, a torn up airporter, a faulty kanken backpack, fake glasses, a laundry bag, those shampoo and conditioner bars, a coffee filter, a tin mug, a sleeping mask, and stupid lenses for an iphone.
instead i carried a pair of camo pants i had picked up at debrief, a scrapbook i created of pressed flowers and bits of all my teammates weaves, a green bucket hat, a skateboard and 2 huge striped tshirts.
again by the closing of of nepal i had dropped every impulse purchase i had acquired from the tourist district thamel aka a lot of thin/stinky/striped linen clothing, a stinky sea to summit towel, a pair of pom pom earrings, my book, a huge toiletries bag and my dignity. my skateboard had been as i like to say stolen.
in their place stood red velvet pants, a hacky sack, a not real supreme shirt, fake gucci slides, a knock off patagonia puffy + too much to even reveal i’m so the worst.
in the airport i got flagged and searched for my coffee grinder. still that baby is kept locked and loaded- used it like once but am i even from oregon if i didn’t bring one and keep it all none months.
here in india i sleep on the floor- my roomate lent me her sleeping pad, they provided a pillow and i had to pick up long sleeve shirts to cover my tattoos. nothing as backbreaking as my freakin pack if i had kept all those things i originally brought.
i currently have 16 pairs of pants, 6 pairs of shoes, like 13 shirts, so many little kerchief scarves and headbands, a piece of a brick, 1 skirt and a full bag of glam. so uh if you so desire to listen to tips from a gal like me who just loves a good haul then read on.
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tips!
? i would say if you had a mix of warm countries and cold countries to hold off on bringing your warm gear if you are able to buy it there. i brought a beanie, sweatshirt and puffy- replaced em all because i was sick of them.
? bring a towel turban – my leopard print head dress has saved many a day.
? don’t bring those expensive bar soaps and laundry detergents. most of the time everywhere you go has little markets where you can get all the goods from face wash to head and shoulders to blonde hair dye- even coconut oil.
? tevas over chacos all the way
? bring your makeup if you enjoy wearing it. everyone uses my bronzer and it’s just a fun sisterhood thang.
? a rain cover works just fine to throw over your pack if you break your airporter
? bring your favorite clothes- to an extent. you probably don’t need that jumpsuit you wear to brunch but you’ll be missing your corduroy jacket month five and try to buy one.
? bring a heck ton of emergen-c
? diva cup is better
? be a mooch. every single person doesn’t need to bring every single thing.
? have a nice heavy duty but light tote bag to lug around your daily essentials; bible, pens, gina(h20), journal, deck of uno, teck deck, harmonica and cell phone. or just utilize your daypack like most sane racers.
? you’ll want that body spray you used all year when you’re sick of bucket showering.
? i left my hydro at home but i also left my nalgene on the plane on my way to launch. wr water bottle reppin:,)
? you will buy a whole new wardrobe everywhere you go. clothes are way cooler and cheaper over seas. for example here in india i literally have a thrift market a ten minute walk from me. hunty copped too much but my favorite purchase has been a denim shirt with painted body builders on it. gold.
? you kinda dont need a hairbrush
? ihaven’t had power multiple times during the race so bring a headlamp but those black diamond ones fade faster than anything- my $10 one from walmart has been awesome. just make sure you bring some batteries!
? only electronic device i brought is my phone. if you have a great qual camera on it and arent a photographer or vlogger than i say leave your dslr at home. also i’ve stolen my teammates laptops for movie nights or applications. not the most necessary if you want more room for clothes;)
? bring nail polish remover pads + your go to color- everyone will covet you
? my mom packed me all these homeopathic remedies for medicine. i haven’t used them #oops you can buy all the drugs every where you go for super cheap. hold out!
? long sleeves are hard to find so bring your go to striped one to throw under your tshirts if you have a tattoos
? malaria meds are a no you can get them here and not for $109
? bring your medicated face wash if you have a prescribed one. peyton didn’t and i never heard the end of it
? lots of socks and the underwear you wear at home no need to get grannie panties if you never wear them.
? more than three headphones. they break too fast. air pods all the way if you’re boujee
? hammock over tent – regret not bringing mine
? you’ll want an endless supply of pilot g2’s if you is a huge pen fan like my team is.
? mess kits aren’t necessary but buy a new mug every place you go unless you have one you really love and are dedicated to carrying it forever.
? neosporine cannot be found over the pond just an fyi
? fun and funky bandaids from target in the us make life easier
? schwab all the way baby – that atm fee refund at the end of the month is honestly a life saver.
? BRING A SEWING KIT+ EMBROIDERY THREAD
? if it’s available go to your local village market and buy a cheap container or two to organize your stuff especially if you are going to be there longer for a month. nesting is real and makes all the moving and new places much easier.
? don’t bring all those little things for every situation ever.
literally i have replaced almost everything i brought with stuff over seas- you can find pretty much all you desire anywhere and most of the time it’s cooler and most of the time you are wanting a small little change anyway.
honestly i express a lot of my self through what i wear lol so i will desire to carry that over a lot of more uh practical things. really whatever floats your boat guys. not trynna tell you what to do just sharing my story and what i’ve run across.
so basically what im saying just bring an empty pack- you’ll fill it eventually.
