Packing for the Peace Corps Part Deux

I figured since this isn't my first time packing for a 27 month adventure, I would take the time to write some sort of packing post to inform you on what I am bringing and possibly some tips. Ill continue to update the post as new packing ideas and techniques come about. I pride myself on being efficient and well prepared so I hope that this serves as help for someone who in the future finds themselves creeping on old volunteers blogs. This post serves mostly for those going into service so if not, you'll probably want to disregard this post. Also, these are all just my own opinions and I know I have missed some stuff that I will come back and change as I remember. Pack smart and being organized will be your best bet. Linen is the easiest fabric to wash and dry but not the most practical in colder environments. Cotton is easy to hand wash as well but it does tend to stretch out more than other fabrics do.

General Clothing

When it comes to packing clothing, make sure that you pack smarter and not harder. Pick a color theme and run with it. That way its easy to mix and match different outfits and not look ridiculous. Shop for clothing against the season and be smart about it. That means if your going to somewhere like Sierra Leone shop for clothes right before the winter season begins. Same idea applies to going to Mongolia, the longer you wait in April and May the cheaper those higher priced clothing items will be. For men, be cautious of the patterns/lack there of that you choose within your shirts. You must remain professional but covering sweat and stains will allow you more wear of your shirts with less hand washing. Darker plaids and thin/close stripes provide you more room to hide imperfections as opposed to a solid colored shirt. Air compression bags will be your best friend.

• One pair (tops and bottoms) of mid-weight long underwear
• One pair (tops and bottoms) of heavy-weight long underwear- Outdoor stores have great sales on these products come May. 
• Winter coat or parka - I found that space>packing a large winter coat. Ill be saving money and buying one in country when the time comes.  
• Fall/Spring coat 
• Gloves or mittens - 1 pair of mitten/glove combo  
• Scarf -1 
• Stocking cap -1 
• A few (3–4) pairs of woolen socks 
• A few (3–4) pairs of cotton socks    
• Two to three "professional” shirts to work in  
• Your favorite pair of fat pants- Nothing will feel better than coming home, taking off the dress clothes you've been wearing all day to put on your favorite pair of lounge pants/pajamas and just relaxing.
• Two to three pairs of nice pants for work - I've never been able to follow this rule, that is why air compression bags are my best friend. I pack 5 shirts and pants, one for everyday and that way your hand-washing in theory once a week.  
• One to two pullover sweaters - I am again packing 5 of these, but I am going to place them over the 'professional' shirts to save space on packing.  
• One pair of jeans  
• Five to six of your favorite T–shirts - Its always good to have a couple basics, and invest in a couple t-shirts of your favorite things you will love wearing.   
• Sweatpants and sweatshirt
• 2 Belts - 1 brown and 1 black   
• Two pairs of shorts (essential for summer and playing sports) - A pair of dress shorts and favorite basketball shorts.  
• Underwear -Avoid cotton and try and invest in good quality underwear... this is a must. Cotton stretches and will smell faster :/
• One formal piece of clothing, such as a suit for males and a dress for women

*If your rolling your clothing, grab a couple boxes of your favorite protein bars and roll them up in there individually. You never know when you'll be served a not so tasty dish and need some protein for that extra energy.

Shoes

When it comes to shoes I plan to leave the hiking boots and snow shoes at home. I want to save that packing space for other things and buy the winter boots once in country.
Packing 2 pairs of dress shoes (one brown and one black)
2 pairs of boat shoes
a pair of shower sandals
and a pair of athletic shoes
When it comes to packing the shoe, just shove that where ever space allows once everything is already in (toe down). Tie your athletic shoes to your carry-on bag and keep them close to avoid hitting people in the face and getting them taken.

Kitchen

Leatherman or Swiss Army Knife

Sturdy water bottle(s) (e.g., Nalgene) - I am packing 3 blender bottles, but make sure that you don't  waste space and that you pack random trinkets and pens inside of these bottles while you travel.  

Plastic storage bags

Small sauce pan

French fry cutter (do I need to explain the importance?)

Crystal light To-Go's. - I am not sure how the water will taste and staying hydrated is important when you don't know exactly how your body will react to things you eat.

 Flint

Toiletries 

If your anything like me you don't really care about what shampoo and body wash you have as long as it gets the job done. So I am brining enough to make it through training. I will however pack an ample amount of toothbrushes, you just never know when you'll drop your toothbrush on your bathrooms floor and need a new one. 

Deodorant - Bring enough to make it through training, its an easy item to have shipped in a care package.

Baby wipes - just do it.

Everything else is up to you, I cant tell you how to live your life in the bathroom, so bring what you want. Just be smart and bring one of everything you need, don't forget simple things like toenail clippers, qtips and hand sanitizer.

Miscellaneous

A small photo album of family and friends (a must-bring item)  - one of my favorite memories in Sierra Leone was sitting around with my host family and looking through all of the photos of my friends and family as they laughed and it was a great way to have a positive experience with not a lot of language skills.

220-volt converter (essential if you bring American appliances)

Rechargeable batteries

Camera

Flashlight - Headlamps work well too and make great gifts for host families. The key is making sure you find solar powered goods.  

American board and card games - Card games are much easier to pack, but board games can be done. Pack the pieces into a zip lock bag and the board without the box to save space. I'm personally not wasting that space but am going to bring; Cribbage, Uno, Phase 10, 2 decks of cards and Cards Against Humanity. Pass the Pigs. Dice for Bunko.

Music  

Solar shower - NO, youll survive with a bucket shower, don't waste the space.  

Duct tape (highly recommended)   

A bottle of your favorite alcohol... Maybe 2?   

Reading materials/Kindle 

Flash disk or thumb drive - 500GB hard drive for movies and television shows and a 16GB flash drive for work purposes.

Sport equipment- Frisbees, deflated volleyball, tennis balls     

Hand/food warmer

Host family gift

Quick dry towel

A pillowcase

Kite -I am just hoping my plan works here

Colored Pencils, GOOD pens and Sharpies

Travel Sling that folds into itself- Describing these will be impossible, but the two that I have found have been in outdoor stores. They are the bags and backpacks that roll into themselves , zip up and are travel ready. These will work perfect when you don't want to lug around a larger hiking backpack and will be great for trips to the market when you need bags.

 Crossword/Word Search

Picking Luggage

  

I've always seen people asking what type of luggage to bring and how much they can have. I am using almost the same luggage method I had used in Sierra Leone as I will use for Mongolia.

One large suitcase 24 
One MHM Salute 34 liter bag
One 64 liter Northface backpack
One carry on duffle bag

In theory this will work as such; The 64 liter on your back, the rolling suitcase behind, with the 34 liter bag strapped on the front of your chest and the duffle over your shoulder. You still have to worry about the weight of your goods, but the sizes of bags work for the inches requirement and for me weighted 47 pounds each checked bag on the way to Sierra Leone.