I emailed Jessica from WR ’06 a few months back about packing and she gave me some good advice to share. I think this can give us all some insight! 🙂 Keep in mind that some of this was wtitten before they started camping as much, so I’m sure some adjustments can be made:
PACKING…
clothes pin line.
clothes pins
lots of faces wipes – any extra room, grab these
extra deoderant. they are not available everywhere…hence people smell really bad!
not too many clothes. you more than likely will buy stuff. i have everywhere! its fun! and you dont have much room for extra..so just bring a few things. but things you like to wear a lot. i have a pair of jeans, a pair of brown cargo kind of pants, and a pair of comfy black pants. dont worry about the “typical fast drying stupid camp pants.” unless you like them a lot. there is no need really for “fast drying stuff.” bring what you like a lot. and maybe two longs skirts. or knee length. one pair of shorts is good, a few tshirts, a long sleeved shirt and a sweatshirt. (but i dont know the route you are taking so let me know what that is…if you can email it to me, ill be able to give you a better suggestion as far as packing.) china is freezing. well when we were there, so you will need a winter coat, gloves, hat, etc. there isn’t heat really anywhere so you will always have almost everything you own on your body. and then you will be in like india where it is smokin hot. but it all depends on the months…so ill give you a better list of clothes later.
as far as shoes, a good pair of tennis shoes and maybe a pair of comfy reefs or something. i brought chacos that strapped around your heel and had tons of other straps and they were just annoying and i sent them home. i bought two pairs of flip flops and just wear them all the time. they are great.
alarm clock
headlamp with extra batteries or rechargeable kind
no mosquito nets needed. but a small thing of bug spray is good
bball hats or headbands. its nice for times when you dont shower for awhile (it happens often 🙂 or to just give yourself a different look. the three tshirts or whatever get old after awhile. hehe.
nail polish and remover. fun to clean your feet sometimes and to have something to do at night. also like a little nail care set.
blank cds or a big jump drive. to transfer pics to.
i brought a fleece blanket and LOVE it. it has kept me warm at night and i love travelling with it. wouldnt give it up for anything…but thats me. some people brought a big pillow and love that. i have a comfy blanket and small pillow. its whatever you prefer i guess.
i wouldnt recommend a “camping towel” they dont really dry you off and aren’t necessary. a regular (smaller towel) is good or a sarong works. you can use that for a skirt too.
jar of peanut butter. i’m obsessed and you don’t find it really anywhere. its a good thing to have when you are being served odd food. trust me 🙂
raincoat
digital camera…extra memory cards
cipro medicine.
check with me on how much malaria you need. i got like 6 months and havent taken it yet. just in africa i think. other places they thought we would need it, none of us even took it.
phone numbers and addresses of people
NO phone! skype is huge. let me know if you dont know what that is.
mp3 or ipod. music is huge.
med. size bible. not too big but a concordance in the back is good. saves you bringing an extra book.
whatever space you can fill with books is good. everyone will have some so you can switch around too.
mess kit isnt really necessary.
laptops are nice. not sure if you have one or not. good for blogging purposes and places that have wireless. saves money that way to get everything done, even emails before you get to the internet cafe. but we have also had quite a few stolen, along with cameras and other things, so you just have to be really really careful with your stuff. i can give you a list of countries you need to watch too. not sure what your route is yet though.
int’l adapter kit
paper/cards/envelopes. for team notes, host thank you’s, and letters home.
pocket knife.
extra hair bands.
small first aid kid. mine is too bit. you just need basics. band aids, ib profen, antibiotic cream or cleanser. not much.
small water bottle or something to put coffee in if you drink it. i got a water filter bottle and brought extra filters and never used it. everywhere has good water or you can buy bottled.
fork, spoon,knife.
sleeping mat
sleeping bag…depends on countries what temp.
toothbrush holder
pictures
travel wallet…keeps things nice
id badges on everything.
something that you love…lipstick, lotion, whatever.
bookbag. we all have our big packs and then a small bookbag we wear on the front of us. good for travelling too to have something with you.
pick somethign to collect from each country. i wish i did this in the beginning. either like coke cans, (because they are written in the native language everywhere…kind of cool) or a piece of material, or a flag, or (i’m doing patches of the flags to sew on my bag), or…i dont know. kind of cool to have something the same from each place.
tent…i think you will work this out with your team
i like body wash over bars of soap. may be your preference, but this is available almost everywhere.
the girls on my team said bring contact solution if you wear contacts because it is hard to find.
oh, and stuff sacks are HUGE! they work so so well for your clothes. just a few pairs of socks are enough.
a bathingsuit.
and have fun packing! haha…don’t worry. after a few months, you will be a pro.
oh, extra zip lock bags are nice too.
