Dear Future Racers Packing list from the Hick (nurse) who thought of everything…. my view from month 11:
You do not need everything!
Here is what I learned:
-bring a nalgene
-do not go overboard on a tent- I used mine for 2 months, that is it.
-Utility knife- needed!
– bottle opener- everywhere else in the world uses glass bottles
-clothes line/rope
-duct tape
-good air mattress, and patches used mine for 9 months of the race
-sheet (cheap one, you don't need an expensive one) or sleeping bag liner (good for travel days)
-a small photo book of friends and family from home- and pictures you can give those you connect with
-travel pillow
-sleeping bag
-socks/underwear
-bring clothes that you wear now… if you do not usually wear camping style clothes, do not bring them because you will not want to wear them on the race. You will want something familiar, that you like… also you will trade, leave, destroy everything and also buy more things everywhere… because you will get bored of the same thing everyday.
– Women- bring makeup, even if you don't wear it often at home, there will be times when you want to feel like a girl, and makeup helps.
-Women- if you want tampons with applicators- bring what you will need for the year- if you don't care, then you can get supplies anywhere
-Women- skirts… I don't wear them at home and did not wear them on the race either- if you need one you can pick one up in whatever country you are in- no need to carry it around
-workout clothes, and normal clothes
-shorts that cover the knee
-t-shirts, tank-tops, whatever you like
-journal and bible NEEDED
-converter do not send it home!
-plastic bags (ziplocs) or packing cubes
-compression sacs
-carabiniere good to hook things on your pack
-visa…NOT mastercard…. and get a chip card if possible
-sunscreen and bug spray
-emergency cash and spending money- sure $15 500 seems like a lot of money, but the small food budget does not cover anything on travel days or during debrief… and during these times you will want real food. I like to call travel day "forced fasting day"
-mosquito net… NOT needed. if the bugs get to you, buy one in the country you are in
-headlamp
-rain jacket!
-headphones (with extra) and splitter
-jogging pants- I live in them at home- they are perfect for travel days and cold African nights!
– an IPad is not a computer… do not bring one thinking it will be great- I hated it! I would have much rathered the MacBook Air
– external hard drive with movies and sermons and whatever else you like… very useful!
-camera- one that can get wet is good
-speaker- nice for corporate worship times or movie nights
-skype phone minutes are good! But facetime always works better than skype
– Wet wipes are good, but you can get them in every country, don't worry … they are there
-also toothbrush and tooth paste you can get everywhere
-deodorant/antiperspirant I am allergic to most so I brought with me all that I thought i would need… I was one month short in Africa (where there is no stick deodorant)- but you can get basically anything everywhere, don't worry about it
-know that your route can change at launch and on your way to the country you thought you were going to stay in. Be sure that you have summer and fall clothing (it may snow in Moldova)
-get a good air-porter- not the osprey one that only has one strap like a duffle bag (it will kill your shoulder) but get one that can cover your bag but you can still wear your bag
– get a bag that fits well, and a daypack that wont hurt your back either
-razors- you may want to bring what you will need for the year, but if you don't mind disposable, they are everywhere too.
-quick dry towel that covers your body
-have toilet paper or tissues on you at all times- there is no TP provided in public places (or barely anywhere)
Basically all the essentials you will be able to find anywhere
As a nurse on the race, I packed a lot more than most people. I am also Canadian and have a great drug plan so most everything I brought was free. However, I was the squad pharmacy, and drugs were not free for me elsewhere I probably spent over $400 on drugs alone. I do not recommend being the squad pharmacy, however, if you needed it, I had it: from bandages, to ace wraps, to dressings, to stitch glue, thermometer, to antibiotics- you name it. And everything got used I have nothing left. Even if you are not a nurse- bring lice treatment and a comb. I had never had lice before in my life, and got it on the race- and it took forever to find the treatment for it. Other drugs that were frequently asked for and used:
dramamine Benadryl- pill and anti itch cream
tylenol (acetaminophen) cipro
Advil (ibuprofen) flagyl
tums senekot (stool softener)
malaria meds Aleve (Naproxen)
sleeping pills gas-x
