The day I reflected on my packing list...

Five months ago I arrived in Senegal. Although, (way) more than five months before that I started researching and reading blog after blog trying to figure out what I was going to bring with me on my 27 month stay in a developing country with little means, and how in the world I was going to get it packed within the weight limits. This task was the worst part of my anxiety of my departure and my service. I have never been a "light packer" and with all my research and purchasing, my dad swears that I was keeping Amazon in business and they are bound to go bankrupt since my departure decreased their sales significantly.. at times I thought he was right. I went overboard. I have been planning my Peace Corps journey for over a decade, so of course I had plenty of time to contemplate my precious cargo. 

Below is the list of what I actually brought with me--because I had to leave double what fit into my suitcase back in Ohio. This list was going to be one of my first posts, but since I was repacking up until the very second I left for the airport, I wasn't able to take a true tally until I reached country. This list is now accompanied by my thoughts on my choices and things I wish I knew were easily available in-country allowing me to pack something else instead.  

My Packing List: 

• 2- pairs of gardening gloves ---> luxury item, but I am very glad I have them since I work with manure all the time for my garden and compost pile
• 4- tubes of super glue ---> Easily found in-country
• 1- multi tool/knife ---> So glad I brought it, I use it daily and it is great for mango season!
• 1-nail kit ---> So glad I brought it! 
• 1-pumice stone ---> Your feet will be worse than you can ever imagine 
• 1- bottle of medicated body powder ---> This stuff is GLORIOUS! You can get powder in Senegal, but the medicated aspect is the key. I am getting more shipped to me in my next care package
• 2- outlet converters ---> Yea, maybe only one 
• 2- rechargeable battery devices ---> I use them all the time 
• 1- MacBook Air ---> You need a computer for reporting, but they are working on getting computers at all the regional houses, so computers aren't necessary, but I personally would never come without one 
• 1- 64 GB iPad ---> Nice for site because I don't have electric or cell reception to buy an internet stick at my site, and I don't have a solar panel system that can change my MacBook Air, so it is the only entertainment piece (besides my Kindle Paperwhite) that I physically have at my site. The regional houses have trunk spaces you can buy into that allows you to keep your stuff there... safe
• Kindle ---> Great for acquiring all the digital books on hard drives, but I wouldn't recommend reading it in front of people in your village. You don't want to seem any more patrone than what they already think you are
• 1- 2 TB passport external hard drive ---> So incredibly important. Load it with lots of good stuff, keep space so you can acquire new stuff from other volunteers 
• 1- headlamp ---> Priceless. Make sure you bring one
• 6- battery operated lights (the "push" on kind that have wall sticker mounts on the back, so that when you walk into your hut at night, you push the light, almost like flipping on a switch. I was proud of myself on this idea)---> I use them every night, but they are a luxury item
• 1- solar powered flashlight ---> It helps save on charging batteries all the time
• 2- small solar hanging lights ---> Luci lights are amazing
• 4- toothbrushes ---> You can get them here, just bring one to start out with
• 1- hamper ---> So glad I brought it, but it is not necessary 
• 3- 8 pack of crayons ---> Gifts for host family at CBT
• 3- kites ---> Gifts for host family at CBT
• 1- dry erase wall sticker/memo --->  Amazing, I do all my weekly planning on it
• 1- manduka travel yoga mat ---> I have bad wrists so I needed the good mat for support, but there are plenty of alternatives for yoga mats in-country
• 1- backpack --->  I use this for in-country travel 
• 1- daypack --->  I use this for day travel on my bike from village to village 
• 1- sewing kit --->  Bring one. Nothing extensive because you can resupply here, but Senegal is rough on everything
• 1- shower caddy ---> So glad I brought it. I wish I had two: one for my hut and one to keep at the regional house 
• 6- rolls of duct tape ---> Right now I think 6 might be excessive
• 1- pair of waterproof hiking shoes ---> I have yet to use these, but when I travel to Kedougou, I am sure I will get some use out of them.. Although, I am not sure the 1-2 times of use will be worth the space and weight
• 1- pair of trail runners ---> Horrible. Sand filled when worn outside
• 3- pairs of sandals  ---> Excessive. You can buy cheap (nice leather) sandals here
• 1- pair of shower shoes ---> Don't bother, you can buy cheap flip flops in-country 
• 4- tubs of witch hazel cleaning scrubs ---> Senegal is rough on everyone's skin 
• 3- 1 subject notebooks --->  You don't need them, they are provided during training and you can buy them if you want more.. however, they are the grid type, not the college ruled
• 1- clipboard that opens up for storage ---> It is a luxury item, but I love it for field surveys.. Which you will do a lot of
• 2- packs of note cards//flash cards --->  Great for PST language learning 
• 3- packs of pens ---> Pens are just not the same here
• 1-paper organizers --->  It is great to keep the lose papers together that you're given throughout training to reference if you don't have Internet access frequently
• 1- peel and stick chalkboard ---> You can buy chalkboard paint here
• 1- pack of liquid chalk ---> You can buy normal chalk here
• 1- bottle of shampoo --->  You can easily find shampoo here.. just not Aveda, which is what I use 
• 2- bottles of conditioner ---> You can buy conditioner in the bigger cities in the "western" stores
• 2- loofahs ---> You can buy the local equivalent here for 1$
• 2- sponges ---> I use them all the time, but you can find them in-country pretty easily
• 3- water bottles ---> I'm glad I brought 3. Each have a different purpose: My Nalgene bottle is my daily use. I have a Hyrdoflask that is amazing because it keeps water cold (if you added ice or it was cold before you put it in your bottle) for up to 24 hours, which is a luxury in the hot season. I also brought one that was a Lifestraw bottle that that conceals the fact you are filtering the water. This feature is great because if you are in the "bush" more than likely you won't always have easy access to "clean water" (for instance my village doesn't have a boutique to buy it and you're traveling without your filter.. So this way you can put it in your water bottle and they don't know you're using a special filter per se. Using items that are out of their reach and not available for a behavior change you are trying to promote can hurt your endeavors 
• 1- tube of toothpaste --->  Good to start out, but Senegal has lots of toothpaste options.. Surprisingly
• 4- packs of 4, rechargeable AAA batteries --->  Essential for my light sources without electricity and it keeps my overall expenses down by not having to constantly buy batteries
• 4- packs of 4, rechargeable AA batteries ---> Read the above 
• 1- alarm clock --->  No. Don't waste your space or weight. Use a phone, and honestly, you will just wake up with all the morning noise
• 1- pair of scissors ---> So glad I brought them, but they are a luxury item. You can buy scissors easily here, but the quality obviously will not be the same
• 1- bag of wooden clothes pins ---> You can find these everywhere here
• 1- clothes line ---> Don't bring one
• 1- can opener --->  I cook a lot at my site, so I use mine all the time
• 3- cooking knives ---> At least one good knife
• 1- set of Tupperware containers in varying sizes ---> You can buy these here
• 1- fast drying towels ---> Yes. I am actually getting h one mailed to me because my towel isn't cutting it. I switched to the REI one that pretty much everyone else has and raves about
• 1- rain jacket ---> Luxury item. Depending on where you are placed, you might never even consider using it
• 30- pairs of underwear ---> Don't question it, wait for a sale and just load up
• 10- pairs of socks --->  Maybe 2 pairs would be sufficient, but I am not running all the time
• 12- bras --->  Sweat wicking bras. Get a variety of strap designs. I only brought a criss-cross kind and my straps are always showing. I'm getting some new ones sent to me
• 2- pairs of jeans ---> Honestly, 1 should be sufficient .. It's too hot for jeans most of the time
• 2- long skirts ---> To start out training with, but most likely you will get a lot more made with the local fabric 
• 3- t-shirts 
• 5-tank tops --->  Bring the wider straps, highly recommend the fast drying/sweat wicking kind 
• 3- sweaters ---> I was in a fantasy world. Bring one sweater
• 1- wall sticker map ---> Luxury item for my hut decoration
• 1- box of bobby pins
• 6- packs of hair ties 
• 1- travel pillow ---> I wish I would have brought a "real" pillow, you can't find nice pillows easily here
• 1- brush
• 1- comb
• 1- journal
• 1- atlas of West Africa 
• 2- note taking travel pads ---> These are AMAZING for your first few months at site and language learning/ acquisition, but you can easily make them yourself and safe the space and weight in your suitcase
• 1- pack of ear plugs --->  Senegal is so noisy. It's a great idea to have more than one pair (especially if you get a cat like mine that always manages to find them and eat them)
• 2- solar battery chargers --->  Great because I can't always get to electricity to charge my batteries
• 1- box of bandaids --->  The water resistant kind. You don't get the "good" stuff in the MedKits
• 2-pair of tweezers
• 1- USB/ solar power STERI pen --->  I lived on the STERI pen when I lived in India, but it isn't ideal because of what Peace Corps represents and promotes. We don't want to teach clean water habits one way to the people of the country and then use a high tech technique for ourselves that is not feasible for them. Think integration  
• 1-ENO double deluxe hammock --->  I use it every day in my backyard at my site
• 4- carabiners --->  Useful for endless reasons
• 1- cooling towel 
• 1- wall stencil --->  Luxury item for hut decoration 
• 1-solar/crank/weather/AM/FM radio --->  I don't use it..At all. Except to check the temperature. Record temp 131 F
• 1- bike helmet ---> They told us we had to bring one but they ended up giving us all helmets. It's a tough call 
• 1-cloth produce bag ---> I use it for pretty much everything, especially shopping in the markets
• And a lot of ziplock bags varying in size ---> Yes, a million times over. Bring tons!

Things That I Had Shipped To Me: 

• Powdered Cheese 
• Parmasean Cheese
• Protein Powder 
• Protein Bars 
• Fiber Bars 
• Bike Basket 
• D Battery Operated Fan ---> I am not talking a hand fan either. I highly recommend getting one of these things! 
• Rechargeable D Batteries 
• Portable Battery Charger for Mobile Devices
• Macaroni and Cheese 
• Tuna Helper 
• Spices 
• Bike Tool 
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Castle Soap
• Wet Wipes
• Vitamin C Supplements
• Acne Face Wash
• Acne Spot Treatment
• Face Lotion
• Face Sunscreen 
• 70 SPF Sunscreen 
• Resistance Bands 
• Closet Organizer
• Storage Bags
• GRE Books
• Acrylic Paints & Paintbrushes (Actually, I am still waiting on this package to arrive)
• Bathing Suit---> Bring one. We have beach weekend and at most regional houses you can find a nice hotel that you can go swim in their pool
• Baby Clothes for Baby Ceremony Gifts
• Cat Med Supplies and Toys
• Swedish Fish
• Pop Tarts
• Marshmallows 

Obviously, I have a very loving and generous family that is willing to send me numerous care packages despite the amount of effort and expense. I am truly grateful for their love and support throughout this adjustment period. 

If anyone was wondering how I packed everything, my answer is: carefully. 

I originally had 2 rolling suitcases, but the night before my departure I recruited my dad and mom to help me decide what was "necessary," and my dad convinced me that I wouldn't be able to handle 2 rolling suitcases plus my hiking backpack and my book bag all by myself. He was right. So, I cut my belongings almost in half as I discarded one of my large (50.0 lb) suitcases. I arrived at the airport with one, 49.9 lb hardshell suitcase to be checked, my hiking backpack that was 50.0 lbs to be checked, and a carry-on book bag (probably also weighing close to 50 lbs) with all of my electronics and batteries in it and a small-ish purse. It was a rough go. IF by any means you can manage to not travel as heavy as I did, I highly, highly, highly recommend it. However, as my parents can personally attest, it would have been cheaper to pay for the extra piece of luggage in the beginning than to ship all of my care packages. But, defiantly not as much fun on my end.