After a million trips to REI (seriously considering a job there now when I get back) over the past few months, I finally cut it all down and did it. I packed.
My favorite question that I had been asked leading up to launch was how I was going to fit 11 months worth of belongings into a large backpack and a smaller daypack. It was my favorite question because I wanted to know the answer to that question too, and now after packing and re-packing more times than I can count in this past week, I finally do.
So here is what will be on my person when I step out of the plane and head to Albania:
BACKPACK – 65L REI Backpack
Pants – All in one large Eagle Creek packing cube
2 leggings (one knee length, one ankle length)
3 spandex
2 maxi skirts
1 knee length skirt
1 pair of jeans
1 pair of jean shorts
1 Nike shorts
1 Patagonia shorts
3 basketball shorts
Shirts – All in one large Eagle Creek packing cube
3 t-shirts
4 v-necks
3 tanks
2 camis (one white, one black)
1 quick dry work out shirt
Shoes:
Mizuno running shoes
Chacos
Rainbow sandals
Croc flip flops
Miscellaneous – Some in one medium Eagle Creek packing cube, others in REI ditty sacks
7 sports bras
1 regular bra
8 pairs of socks
20 pairs of underwear
1 Tankini
1 Swim shirt
1 Cardigan
Everything Else – Anywhere it could fit
REI 2 person half-dome tent
REI sleep sack
Sea to Summit sleeping bag liner
Q-core sleeping pad
Outback mosquito net
REI small pillow
80L REI backpack rain cover
REI Airporter
Clothesline
Eno hammock and straps
2 XL REI Quick dry towels
1 S REI Quick dry towel
Laundry Bag
Toiletries – In REI toiletry bag
Travel sized shampoo, conditioner, and soap
Face toner
Cotton balls
Toothpaste
Toothbrush
Toothbrush cover
Razor + 5 extra blade heads
Febreze spray
Loofa
Comb
Contact solution
Probiotics for the year
7-month supply of Doxycycline (for Malaria)
Ibuprofen
Year supply of tampons (no shame there)
Crest White Strips
3 Deodorant sticks
Bug spray
Year supply of contacts
All of this weighing a whopping 45.5 lbs, allowing me to slip under that 50 lb limit.
DAYPACK – 29L Patagonia Backpack and KAVU shoulder backpack
Bank bag with important documents (passport, 6 extra visa pictures, immunization records, yellow fever card, debit cards, and drivers license)
Copies of those important documents
2 journals
Travel sized Bible
Love Does By: Bob Goff
Wallet
Letters from family and friends
Power strip
One set of clothes (shirt, shorts, underwear, sports bra, underwear)
Hand sanitizer
7 Carabiners
40L REI Raincover
2 Sunglasses + case
Travel roll of gorilla table
Eyemask
Earplugs
Eyeglasses
Small can of bug spray
North Face rain jacket
Patagonia fleece (I don’t care what I was advised against, its my favorite item I’ve packed, bring it on 90 degree Asian weather)
1 Nalgene water bottle
Magnifying glass necklace (shout out to friendship everything, Alexis Almonte)
Electronics:
11-inch MacBook Air + charger
Kindle + charger
Book light
iPhone 6 + charger
iPod + charger (Fun fact: I haven’t updated my iPod since I graduated high school, so hello all music from my 17 year old self that I illegally downloaded from LimeWire)
Portable charger
Black Diamond headlamp
AAA batteries
3 Headphones
Headphone splitter
External Hard Drive (This is mainly for obtaining movies. My plan is to find and own all of the Pixar movies by the time I come home. So far I only have Up, which is ok since its my favorite movie, but I will find them all.)
First Aid Kit:
Band Aids
Emergen-C
Benadryl
Tums
Advil
Sudafed
Vaseline
Neosporin
Visine
Imodium
Laxatives
Pepto-Bismol
Dramamine
Now, I know you are asking…How on earth does it all fit?? And, how will you carry all of that??
Well, my answer is that Jesus definitely closed some of those zippers because both packs are stuffed to the brim. And I’ll carry it just like this:
WORLD RACE HERE I COME! If you’re wondering how I’m currently feeling, this is very accurate picture…
