What made the list? (good thing I am going to a hot climate!)
The complete list is below (below). When I was preparing to pack I searched out any packing lists I could find, so this is me paying it forward! Someone posted the most important things for her trip after being at site for a while, which I also found very helpful. So in case you want a more condensed list, here are the things that I am very grateful to have brought along, in no particular order:
- Eagle Creek Packable Daypack – this thing is small, rolls up, and holds an impressive amount of things! It has become my daily bag with everything I bring to school and classes. Overall, I suggest any low-key looking backpack that will hold up.
- Umbrella – Need this for the rain and the sun. It comes with me everywhere.
- Croc flats/sandals – It is either dry and dusty or rainy and muddy. I highly suggest shoes that can get wet by the weather and will dry quickly after cleaning them (which will be constant.)
- Microfiber towel/facecloth – They dry so fast!
- Surge protector with 4 outlets – Electricity can go out anytime and there aren’t a ton of outlets around.
- Headlamp: When the lights go out…this is real helpful! It also is very amusing for the neighbors.
- Knitting needles: I brought a small set of knitting needles and it has been a great way to connect with people. Crochet is big here, so I am learning while teaching. An exchange of arts if you will. But seriously, if you have a hobby, bring it with you. It’s good for everyone!
- Sweater – not something I would have expected to need too often but training venues and the office can be real chilly!
Not necessary:
- General meds: PC provides an awesome medical kit and you can order bug spray and sun screen anytime. Unless you need something really specific, I would wait for the kit.
Note:
While it is really hot, a lot of people wear pants and long sleeves to protect themselves from the sun. I tend to carry an umbrella instead. Having a light long sleeve shirt is nice at times though.
The List:
Bags:
- 28” Eagle Creek Rolling Duffel
- Small Eagle Creek Duffel
- Osprey Kyte 46L Backpack
- Backpack
Clothing:
- 1 light jacket
- 1 pair of yoga pants
- 1 rain jacket
- 1 semiformal dress (swearing-in)
- 1 sweater
- 2 bathing suits
- 2 belts
- 3 pairs of pajamas
- 3 pairs of shorts
- 4 bras
- 4 running shorts/capris
- 5 dresses
- 6 running tops
- 6 tank tops
- 7 blouses
- 7 t-shirts
- 10 pairs of socks
- 30 pairs of underwear
Shoes:
- 1 pair of hiking shoes
- 1 pair of flip-flops (shower)
- 1 pair of running shoes
- 2 pairs of sandals
- 3 flats
Electronics
- 1 adapter 3 to 2 prong
- 1 bluetooth speaker
- 1 disc drive
- 1 extension cord
- 1 external hard drive
- 1 headlamp
- 1 international adapter
- 1 laptop
- 1 phone
- 1 power bank
- 1 surge protector
- 1 travel alarm clock
Entertainment:
- Bananagrams
- Dutch Blitz
- Firefly
- Moon Colombia travel book
- Planet Earth
- 1 deck of playing cards
- 1 Nook
- 2 books
- 2 coloring books with colored pencils
Room:
- 1 set of sheets
- Cards people wrote to send me off
- Command hooks
- Large and small calendar
- Lots of pictures of family and friends!
- Mini flying pig
- String and mini clothespins to hang pictures
- U.S. Map
School:
- 4 notebooks of various sizes
- 6 beach balls
- Colored pens and pencils
- Masking tape
- Mini stapler
- Pens and pencils
- Phantom Tollbooth
- SEI book
- Stickers
- Tuesday
- US map puzzle
Toiletries:
- 1 bottle of sunscreen
- 1 microfiber towel and facecloth
- 1 razor with extra blades
- 1 set of tweezers
- 1 small loofah
- 1 small shampoo and conditioner
- 2 face lotions with sunscreen
- 3 deodorants
- 3 packages of floss
- 3 toothbrushes
- 3 toothpastes
- A few packages of Stim-u-dents
- A set of elastics and bobby pins
Other:
- 1 baseball hat
- 1 beach towel
- 1 book of stamps with a few envelopes
- 1 mini flashlight
- 1 mini sewing kit
- 1 mesh laundry bag
- 1 tape measure
- 1 packable daypack
- 1 pair of mini scissors
- 1 umbrella
- 1 watch
- 2 iPhone/iPod holders
- 2 mini bottles of wrinkle releaser
- 2 pairs of glasses
- 2 pairs of sunglasses
- 2 sets of headphones
- 2 sets of host family gifts (Boston playing cards, dishtowel, mini Red Sox pennant – theme!)
- 2 yarn needles
- 3 USB drives
- 4 chapsticks
- 4 purses (large to real small)
- 4 various sized s-clips
- AA/AAA batteries
- A few knitting needles and crochet hooks with a little yarn (I really held back!)
- Mini pharmacy
- Snacks