Packing List

I got the idea to post my packing list from other volunteers' blogs, and I think it's a surprisingly interesting read. All the gear I'll need for 2 years, on my back? Wow. (Well, except for cooking stuff, which I'm supposed to buy there.) In total, I think my gear weighs close to 100 pounds, maybe nearer 110, and I'm regretting (a little) some of the things I considered essential just yesterday. (A day of hauling stuff around an airport changes the view on what's essential pretty quickly. Shampoo? Nah, can buy it there.) Without further ado, here is an approximate list of everything I'm bringing:

Clothing:
-Shirts: 4 short-sleeve button down; 3 long-sleeve button-downs; 4 t-shirts; 1 zip up fleece; 1 pullover fleece; 3 tanktops;
-Bottoms: 2 pr pants (1 jeans, 2 work); 3 pr. Capris; 4 skirts
-4 dresses
-Raincoat & longer poncho
-pyjama shorts and t-shirts
-capris to “work-out” in and some old t-shirts
-20 pr. Underwear
-8 pr. socks
-2 hats: one straw with a wide brim, one visor
-2 pr. prescription eyeglasses
-2 pr. sunglasses
-a few pairs contacts (to try out)

Shoes:
-running shoes
-low-top, waterproof hiking shoes
-2 pr. Walking mary janes for work
-tevas
-flip flops

Gear:
-jump rope
-1 fleece blanket and 8-degree liner
-small compressible pillow
-thermarest sleep pad
-6 luggage locks
-knives: 1 swiss army knife, one leatherman micra
-10 carabiners, assorted sizes
-mini sewing kit
-1 small maglite and 1 headlamp
-batteries: lots of AAs, some lithium
-2 nalgene-type water bottles
-2 rolls duct tape
-1 wet bag
-assorted pens and papers; journals
-1 pr folding scissors
-travel alarm clock
-crank short wave radio
-1 watch
-bath sized camp towel and 1 washcloth
-playing cards
-hand crank shortwave radio

Fun/Entertainment:
-Canon A620 Digital Camera with 2gb memory card
-Ipod & headphones
-4 frisbees (to use and give as gifts)
-Books: Portuguese/English dictionary & 501 Portuguese Verbs; Africa: A Biography; A Complicated War: The Harrowing of Mozambique, The Brothers Karamazov and Crime and Punishment, Middlemarch, Great Expectations, The Golden Notebook, The Blind Assassin and The Handmaid’s Tale. I also shipped myself a box of books, and feel free to give me recommendations.

Toiletries:
-face lotion
-2 deodorants
-8 razor blades and 1 handle
-2 toothbrushes
-1 bottle toothpaste
-nail clippers, big and small
-small mirror
-tweezers
-bottle of motrin
-2 bottles spf 30 sunscreen
-intense bug repellent, both liquid and wipes, courtesy of my aunt and uncle
-bottle body lotion
-shampoo, conditioner, and body wash (1 bottle each)

Paper stuff:
-spiral bound notebooks and few legal pads
-aerograms
-small photo album
-2 maps (Africa and The World)
-postcards of Reno

Food Stuffs:
-6 bottles cooking spices
-energy bars
-powdered Gatorade
-tic tacs and pop rocks to give to kids

All packed in large ziploc bags in one large rolling duffel, one kelty frame-less backpack, and one medium size duffel bag. I also have my computer. Already a mistake, perhaps, but we'll see.

I have an address where I can be reached for the first three months (and all throughout service, although I'll be there less frequently), so if you think I've missed something or just want to send me a letter, please don't hesitate to mail it direct to the address below (U.S. Postal Service is actually fairly inexpensive too).

Alison Vicks, PCV
Corpo da Paz/U.S. Peace Corps
C.P. 4398
Maputo
Mozambique

Weighted down in Philadelphia,
Alison