Packing is the Worst.

me, looking like a damn fool with all these bags. catch me at DIA.

EDITED ONE YEAR IN COUNTRY WITH WHAT I WISH I PACKED!

It’s true. Packing is one of my least favorite things ever. But here I am, packing for the next two years of life in a country I have never been to. No big deal, right?

Peace Corps gave us a recommended list of things to bring, but they also told us that honestly, there is no perfect list for something like this. Am I prepared to regret some of the things I bring? Sure. Will I probably forget to bring something I need? Yep. But that is okay, part of this job is adaptability to this whole packing process is just an exercise in that, it seems. I’ll probably update this list once I get settled in on what I’m glad I brought/wish I would’ve.

Peace Corps pays for 2 checked bags, your carry-on, and personal item…

Personal item: backpack. Full of valuables, a few outfits, toiletries, and all the travel documents and things I need during travel between the US and Lesotho. [EDIT: perfect. no regrets here and I use my backpack literally every day for school and town/weekend trips]

Carry on: guitar. There is just no way I could go two years without her! And yes, the case is absolutely stuffed with any clothing I could fit in there. [EDIT: also no regrets. lovely to have hobbies with all my downtime]

Checked bags: big ass eddie bauer rolling bag and another big REI 90L duffel. [EDIT: excellent. could have brought a backpacking backpack instead of the duffel with the duffel has backpack straps so it works well]

Electronics:

• Solar charger

• Adapters and cables

• Radio

• Laptop

• Kindle (please send book recommendations, I am not a reader and am trying to be)

• Luci lights (solar power lights for my hut!)

[EDIT: Why tf I brought a radio idk. And my laptop - they give you tablets in country and that is way easier to charge. I sent my radio and laptop back to the US with my parents when they visited! Everything else has been necessary. Luci string lights were one of my favorite things I brought.]

Clothing:

• Lots of layers and business casual clothing for training and work! Seasons are similar to Colorado because of the elevation, so not much more to say here :)

• Shoes!

  • Blundstones (the best shoe ever.)

  • Chacos

  • Running shoes (plus trail running shoes even though it probably all is trails)

  • Birkenstocks (the nice kind)

  • White Reebocks (couldn’t leave them behind. They are too good to me.)

    
    

[EDIT: I should’ve left any white clothing at home - it wears easily and is hard to keep clean. Felt good about most of it and have had opportunities to buy any clothes I felt like I was missing in country. Shoe choices, I could’ve left my chacos behind. It’s so dusty here I just live in my Blundstones for the most part.]

Hobbies:

• Paint and art supplies

• Journal and writing things

• Football and ball pump

[EDIT: bringing the ball and pump was unnecessary, you can find all that stuff here! Everything else I’m glad I brought and use often.]

Other:

• Gifts for host families - dish towels and gummy bears because they are the only candy you need

• Maps, posters, pictures, and letters to hang in my hut

• Can opener

• Knives and multitool

• Packtowels

• Water filter

• Coffee sock (google it. This is my Brazilian mother’s addition.)

• Sleeping bag

• Playing cards

• Headlamp

[EDIT: Didn’t need the water filter - they give every volunteer one in country. Everything else here I use literally daily. SO glad I brought pictures and posters to decorate my hut. It feels like a home! Pack towels were one of my favorite brings as they barely take up space and regular towels and blankets SUCK to wash.]

That’s that and I am off tomorrow morning! Thank you everyone for all your sweet messages this last week! I am full of gratitude in knowing that I have so many relationships that are hard to say goodbye to. While these posts may be a little sporadic, I can’t wait to stay in touch with everyone - pray for no lost luggage and safe travels for my cohort and I!