Not a hope, but a dream, like while I was sleeping… I woke up very flustered as I dreamed that it was time to leave for the world race and I still didn’t have a tent or sleeping bag! For some reason we were all meeting and starting the race at a target/Wal-mart in San Diego and teams were getting to leave but I realized I didn’t have anything. I had packed in a rolling duffel bag which I decided had to work, but the only tents available at “Target” fit a small child (but was tiny and easily put up) or my other option was a 25 woman tent, not 25 people, but it fit 25 women according to the container. I was so caught up in the tent that I neglected my sleeping bag altogether and then all the sudden it was the last team’s turn to go, so I had to leave, tiny tent and rolling suitcase in hand. The I go to meet my team (and host of the bachelor Chris– who was playing the role of the host of the Amazing race and setting us all off at the correct time) and my team is all men (which is funny considering Sara Choe’s blog this morning called “Wanted: a barbarian.”)
So basically I had my first World Race dream, and I was totally and completely unprepared, but I never once thought of not going. I thought of postponing, but never did I consider quitting. I went, in faith that I would find my sleeping bag somewhere and the tent might fit most of my body if I slept diagonally in the tent. I’ve never felt like God has spoken through my dreams, and I’m not sure He was last night, but I am glad to see that even dreamy Lindsey is going on this trip.
Seeing as these wonderful items are plaguing my dreams at this point, here are a few questions for past/current/future world racers:
Sleeping bag— down or synthetic? will we be able to wash our sleeping bags? Synthetic materials are bigger to pack but easier to wash and dry if they get wet, down is smaller and possibly more comfy, but can’t really get wet. Packing sizes may not even make a huge difference since the space in a backpack for sleeping bags isn’t going to be smaller if the bag is smaller (even though the bag might be hanging on the outside because that spot might be reserved for dirty laundry or other crap I decide to lug around the world)
Tent- 2 person is what I have heard, I like the “foyers” of the tents that people have in the cribs video- planning on getting one of those, looks like REI half domes are pretty darn popular on this race. Get the footprint, I’m assuming? Lighter the better, but functional, any key deal breaker I am missing?
Backpack- How big? I am thinking like 70 liters? the Osprey 60 was recommended to me, but maybe I should get the 70? I’d rather have everything in the bag than hanging on the outside, but maybe that is inevitable and the bigger the bag the more I carry around. Also, any brands other than Osprey that people know are dependable and possibly affordable?
Thanks to any and all who reply, and to Ben for his original recommendations:) I’m months from the race, I have more than enough time to purchase everything and return it and buy something new if I feel so inclined, but if I’m going to dream about being unprepared, I’d like to wake up and know I have everything (even if it is just the physical purchases I need to make before the trip).
Happy hump day! Closer to the weekend every minute!
