Bags:
- OGIO duffel with rollers looking thing... its huge but held the majority of my stuff... its sturdy as well. :) We were worried about it being too big for the airlines but they never said a word.
- Hiking backpack from REI- I suggest going in and being fitted... I went in and they ordered me a metro pack without sizing me and its great for a short person... I'm not short. The good thing is it has a smaller backpack that attaches too it so I had an extra bag to store stuff. :)
- OGIO backpack that held and protected all my electronics. (It was my carry-on)
Clothing Items:
- Dress pants-2 (I brought 2 pair and my mom sent me a 3rd)
- Skirts-3 (remember it gets hot and kinda humid so light weight stuff is nice, darker colors makes for multiple wears, we have to hand wash everything!)
- Dress shirts- 8 (I brought some shirts I am able to dress up or dress down)
- Leggings- 2 (love them!!)
- Dresses- 4 (I was also sent two more by my mom... I actually wear them a lot. Plus bring one or something nice for swearing in)
- Jeans- 2 (one pair cropped and one pair long... its hot in the north and i haven't worn the long pants often)
- Casual pants/cargos- 2 (They dry much faster and are cooler but sadly mine are worn out and must be retired... they were older when I got here and the hand washing was a bit much on them)
- Tshirts-10 (I'm guessing that's how many I brought)
- Tank Tops- 6 (I layer shirts... but wear them a LOT)
- Long sleeve shirts- 2
- Underwear- a lot!!!! (hahaha... My mom has an obsession with giving underwear with every gift... so I have a ton!)
- Bras- 8 (I brought a ton of bras because they are not of very good quality here... plus 3 sports bras)
- Flip Flops- 3 pair (I'm a California girl and live in them. I've worn through one pair of rainbow's already. Bring a pair of plastic cheap ones, you'll want them for when you do laundry, shower, or things that you don't mind them getting dirty or wet.)
- Chacos-1 (I bought these and have maybe worn them 6 times since I've been here. They are comfortable but I'm not a big fan myself... I'm a die hard flip flop wearer I guess.)
- Toms- 3 pair (I love Toms and what the org does. I wear my black toms with my skirts and stuff. They are holding up pretty well here... except for rainy season and walking through puddles and mud... no traction or water protection. Though some learners will stare at your feet or ask why you are wearing slippers.)
- Dress shoes- 1 pair (I'd suggest more then one pair. I brought a pair of old flats and have feet bigger then a size 10 so I can't really buy many more here... they are hard to find. I'd suggest multiple pairs if you have bigger feet. Dressy sandals are great as well)
- Tennis shoes- 1 pair (I've worn them a few times but not much. Its too hot in the north for me to wear shoes)
- Gloves (1pair) and Scarves (2)- I live in the north and it has yet to get cold enough for either of these but they didn't take up much space.
- Cardigans- 4 (During PST they didn't like us to wear sleeveless dresses or tops at all so I wore a cardigan with most of my outfits)
- Sweaters- 2 (I've worn them a few times when not in the north)
- Heavy(warmer) sweater/jacket- 1 (I haven't worn it... we'll see if I do in the winter)
- Socks- 6? (two pair of crazy thick socks- I have worn them on the three cold nights we've had. :) 4 pair of ankle socks)
- Hats- 4 (1 hat, 1 beanie, 2 cute lightweight beanies for days I need to cover my dirty hair... the HAT is a must... I've worn it and it saves me from the crazy powerful sun)
- Windbreaker- 1 (haven't worn it yet)
- Flannel PJ bottoms- 2 pair (I have worn them a few times)
- Running/PJ shorts- 3 pair (I live in them when home)
Electronics:
- 1 Netbook (its lite and portable)
- 1 External hard drive (500gb) (I was stressing because I don't know how to download movies to it or steal from the Internet... but everyone else in PST had a butt load of movies and TV shows... We share, because sharing is caring. :))
- 1 External DVD/CD player/burner (I have a netbook without the CD drive... this way I can watch movies my family has sent me)
- IPod- (I love it!!! I have speakers to hook it up to or I walk through my village to work or to town listening to it... It makes me happy.)
- Digital Camera (with an extra memory card)
- Nook Book- Love it...I have access to WiFi occasionally but I have trouble updating or downloading new stuff at times. Maybe check out kindles ability to upload via plugging it into your own computer.
- Flash drives- I brought one and more sent to me... You'll want a few.
- 3 headlamps (I have used maybe one but I am happy to have them... I don't like the dark)
- 1 small(tiny) maglight flashlight (My family calls it my torch... I have used it when the power goes out during storms or when we are trying to kill a snake on the homestead at night)
- Journals- like 5... I'm not a journaler so I have yet to make it half way through one :)
- Pens- I brought a handful and maybe have 5 now... They walk away all the time... I suggest having family send you promotional pens when they send you stuff... that's what i am doing.
- Envelopes and paper- I brought maybe 20 and still have some stashed.
- Meds (bring the stuff you absolutely have to take... but all the over the counter stuff like pepto and stuff.. they will give you within a few days. I'm running out of ibuprofen so I'd recommend bringing a decent sized bottle. I have a ton of the other stuff that I haven't even touched)
- Deodorant- Bring alot and ask people to send you some. (The stuff they have here is anti perspirant... the stuff at home is that plus deodorant)
- Toothpaste and toothbrushes- 2 each (you can get these easily here)
- Feminine Hygiene products- I use the Diva cup and have a few of their pads and am very grateful that I bought it... saves a ton on money and is pretty convenient. They sell OB tampons here and some pads but they are crazy expensive.
- Makeup- I didn't bring much and actually had my sister send me some more mascara and eyeliner. I sweat so much here that I don't even bother with powder or cover up or anything.
- Sunblock- I brought Neutrogena faces and LOVE it! Peace Corps will give you quite a bit as well and will give more on request... but bring face sunblock if you break out easily... the stuff we get is super thick.
- Hand Sanitizer- 5 mini bottles (I have maybe used one bottle. I live and work where there is running water and I have soap.)
- Fingernail clippers- 2 pairs (Bring them!)
- Tweezers- 2 (never know when you'll need them.. either to get a thorn out of your foot or pluck your insanely bushy eyebrows)
- CHAPSTICK!!!- 5 tubes? (I'd die without chapstick... I'm a little addicted. My mom sends me tubes of burts bees every care package. It gets hot and dry.)
- Umbrella- I brought a compact one and carry it daily... you never know when it'll begin pouring. I also got a free MTC one here and its huge and sturdy. :)
- Mosquito repellent- I brought a can and have used it a few times. When I go out I usually borrow some... so it is a good thing to have. Mosquito bites on your feet and ankles are the WORST!!!
- Lotion- I didn't really use it back home in Cali but when I got here my skin was crazy dry so I bought some. Its pretty good stuff
- Gifts for your host fam- I really didn't bring anything for my fam because my mom was mailing me stuff... It didn't get here in time so I ended up printing and framing a picture of my mom and sisters for my fam.
- Shampoo and Conditioner- you can get it here but I recommend bringing some good conditioner... my hair got crazy dry and falls out like no other.
- Curl cream- If you have curly hair bring lots of the product you plan to use. I don't use much but have run out of the two bottles I brought and I have yet to find anything other then gel.
- Hair ties/bobbi pins- bring plenty... they disappear sometimes.
- Bear Grylls Tool- its like a leatherman/Swiss army knife but cooler because Bear Grylls designed it... and lets face it Bear Grylls knows survival and is HOT :)
- Bear Grylls ultimate survivor kit- my brother decided he'd rather me be safe then sorry... there is like a snare and flint and stuff in it... hahaha... I have used the small knife though and LOVE IT!
- Razors- I bought a pack of 12 disposables and have maybe used 4... It gets tiring shaving while taking cold showers... or some bucket bathe. The razors here are super expensive.
- Sheets!- I brought one and am planning on getting some more from home. I'd suggest bringing full size flat sheets... the sheets here are not very good.
- Ziplocks- I have used a few but not too many.
- Nail polish and remover- My feet may be constantly dirty but my toes always look cute. :) Its the little things. Plus I painted my host sisters toes and they LOVED it!
- Purse/bag- I suggest something that doesn't look expensive. I brought a hobo style fabric bag I had made for me in Uganda. The nicer your stuff looks the more likely of being mugged... or so I hear. :)
- Bathing suit- 2 (we (Namibia) are on the coast! Plus there are lodges or homes with pools scattered all over Namibia.)
- Bandannas- 2 (I haven't used them... but maybe I will someday)
- Towel- I brought a towel and washcloth... you can get both here but they can cost a pretty Namibian penny. We have these shetange's that are a strip of fabric that some people use... i prefer a towel. I'd bring a few washcloths... they come in handy when bucket bathing and also when washing dishes.
- Nalgene bottles!!!! I live out of my nalgenes... they last forever! Other bottles work too but so far my nalgene is winning. I also have a Columbia aluminum bottle that works well.
- Sleeping bag. Go for something light and compact... you'll definitely use it!!!
- Sewing kit... I have had to mend quite a few things.
- Scissors- you never know when you'll need them. I've used mine.
- Bottle opener key chain- I didn't bring one and hate asking people to open my coke with their teeth... makes me cringe.
- Glasses/sunglasses- I brought two pairs of glasses and three pairs of sunglasses. You can get cheap sunglasses here from the China shops but I like my stuff from home. :) Its seriously bright here.
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