As I was unpacking my daypack (Racer term for the normal backpack that you wear in the front so you can carry the monstrous version of it on your back.) for the last time, I had to laugh at all the random crap I had been stuffing in there. And at how overstuffed it was. And then I thought that you might laugh too. So here you go, a peek into the dark, conveniently mid-sized innards of a daypack.
- ipod & headphones – not pictured but completely necessary and always there
- 2 old journals – I could never trust mailing them home
- 1 current journal – all good missionaries should be journaling
- Bible
- note papers
- book from awesome prophetic conference in Joburg
- notebook for notes and foreign languages
- 2 folders filled with random accumulated papers
- “Old Faithful” netbook computer – poor guy’s been through a lot
- 8 Nescafe instant coffee packets a.k.a. Lifesavers
- necklace – don’t know how this got in here
- 2 headbands, one made out of a t-shirt that nearly made it the whole Race
- 4 bracelets
- 1 bracelet in the making
- 2 packets of tissues
- swatch of toilet paper – you learn to hoard things like this
- 4 refreshing towelette packs from assorted airlines – also hoard these
- 2 empty ziplocs – and these
- 1 pouch filled with electronic cords and things
- 1 Malaysian outlet adapter
- 1 travel alarm clock
- 2 keychains
- 1 feather earring
- 1 chik-fil-a cow figurine
- 1 bottle of advil – travel days are a headache, harhar
- 1 orange lollipop
- 1 comb
- 3 bottles of dramamine – I only used them at the beginning
- 1 tiny vaseline tub – that’s a lie, I’m not sure how the vaseline got in this picture. I’m sure it would’ve been a great idea, but I did not take it on the Race
- 1 stick of deodorant – always keep it close on travel days
- 1 hair clip
- 1 ziploc of feminine products
- 2 airline toothbrushes – Quatar is so thoughtful!
- 2 motion sickness wristbands – used only at the beginning
- 1 pair of airline gifted ear plugs
- 1 box of oil pastels – I like to be a creative journaler
- 3 bottles of hand sanitizer – huh. didn’t realize I was hoarding this one
- 1 tie strap – in case I needed to strap something on if my big pack was too heavy
- 2 tote bags – also come in handy if your big pack is overweight
- 3 sleep masks, 2 gifts from airlines and 1 I brought – I never actually used a sleep mask the entire Race. Don’t use ’em at home, not sure why I thought I’d use ’em abroad. There’s actually a few other things I could add to this list… 🙂
- 1 strand of fake hair – from our “dreads in Africa” phase
- 1 hot pink fan – really comes in handy in sweaty customs lines
- 1 packet of baby wipes – especially good on bus travel days
Not pictured:
- Camera and case
- Stolen airplane blanket
***** NOTES FOR FUTURE RACERS *****
Obviously this isn’t a real packing list and it’s only my daypack, but it is really what I packed in there for quite a bit of the Race. Here’s a few tips that apply to packing in general…..
- PACKING CUBES ARE #1! YOU NEED THEM!
- Bring plenty of ziplocs for liquids and travel day trail mixes. (but you can get more overseas so don’t overload)
- Store things in compartments- like clothing in packing cubes and random odds ‘n ends in pouches, you will not regret this. It’s so much easier to get to things and keeps you from losing stuff.
- Consider a rolling backpack or duffel. There were plenty of times I cursed in my head for not having a rolling one but never once was I glad to have 55 pounds attached to my back.
- Bring normal clothes. And something to get dirty in. And something to look nice in. But nothing you’re too attached to. You will probably recycle your entire wardrobe at least 5 times before the Race is over. I wouldn’t have expected that either, but somehow it happens.
- Mess kits get ditched pretty quick. The most I’d bring is a collapsible bowl or something. A set of fork/knife/spoon is extremely useful though.
- You probably won’t believe me (I didn’t believe previous Racers either), but you really can find pretty much everything you need overseas. If not during the month, you’ll find it at a debrief location. Only bring extra if there’s a specific product that is extremely necessary to you.
- A good rule of thumb: If you wear/use it at home, you will wear/use it on the Race. If you do NOT wear/use it at home, you most likely will NOT wear/use it on the Race. You will definitely pick up styles and habits on the Race but not all of the old ones are lost. My case in point- chacos. Didn’t wear them at home, don’t know why I thought I’d wear them on the Race. They were ditched by month 2 and I wore cheapo flip flips the rest of the Race.
- Make you Race your own. Bring hobbies and interests from home that will fit in your pack. Like paints and artsy things if you do that. Or make a point to pick up cheap things like that on your way. By the end of my Race half our squad was crocheting cool hats. Stay creative and inspired.
- There isn’t really anything I’d wish I’d brought that I didn’t besides a face toner that I was able to pick up later on. The only thing I really regret bringing that I didn’t just ditch is my tent. Used it for a total of 6 days and lugged it around for 11 months. Yup. You should definitely still bring one because you might end up on the team that is out in the bush every month. It’s the luck of the draw though, and that wasn’t ever my team, sadly. Butyoushouldstillbringone,don’tblamemeifyouneedonethewholeracebutyoudidn’tbringonebasedonthisblog.oops.
Hope this is useful, I’ll try to add more later if I think of anything.
