Packing

In just a few short weeks it will be my one-year anniversary arriving in country! Time sure does go by fast and to my 275 batch mates we’re ((almost)) halfway there 🙂 While we are all anxiously waiting for the arrival of 276 I thought I’d share my packing suggestions/tips, as I was in this situation last year thinking, how do I pack for 2 years in 2 bags? It can be such an overwhelming thought, and is! Two years is a long time and its hard to imagine what things you’ll need, but don’t stress too much over what to bring and enjoy the last few weeks with family and friends!

*This packing list is based from my experiences and perspective as an Education volunteer, I am also not filipino-sized ((5’8”, practically a giant here)) so I have a hard(er) time finding essential clothing here but I can easily have items shipped to me if I need them.

Must Haves

  • iPad/Kindle – you will more than likely have A LOT of free time on your hands…and a great way to spend that free time is to read! Before I left the states I made sure to re-new my library card with my local library from home and downloaded an app called Overdrive.  Overdrive allows you to download and borrow ebooks and audiobooks from your library.  So when I have internet access I make sure to download a couple books to have on hand.  Also many volunteers share books from their hard drives so by the time your PC service is over you will have hundreds of ebooks!
  • Hard Drive – before I left, I had NO clue what a hard drive was…I bought one before graduating college with advice from my brother to back up files on my computer. And now let me tell you, your hard drive will ((soon)) become your best friend.  The hard drive I bought was one from Seagate, the only issue I’ve had with this is its only Mac compatible so I’m unable to transfer or get media from PC computers, some hard drives are available in country but can be expensive so I recommend getting one before you leave. Like books, volunteers also share their media from hard drives.  I added a couple of TV shows and movies before leaving but now almost a year in I have media that I can watch until the rest of service.  With little/no access to a TV or wifi, having a hard drive is great to watch your shows and movies during your free time 🙂
  • Computer – I also was having a debate on buying a new computer or bringing my current one with me.  I ended up bringing my computer that I had for the last 4 years in school (MacBook Pro) and I’m really happy I did.  Instead of buying a new one and bringing it to the Philippines where it could get ruined or break, I’m using my current one and ((fingers crossed)) will run into no problems and can invest in a new one when I’m done with service.
  • Waterproof Watch – as a frequent watch wearer at home, I knew that it would be important having a watch here.  Waterproof watches are easy to find and are affordable, I found a Ironman Timex Watch for around $20-30 and have had loved having it here
  • Bluetooth Speaker – this was a day-before-departue last minute add and I’m SO happy that I brought one.  I use my speaker all the time, during school for lessons with videos and at home for when I’m watching movies or listening to music.  It comes in handy and are hard to find here so defiantly bring one!
  • Reusable Water Bottle – you will want to drink a lot of water here to stay hydrated and bring water on the go.  I use mine everyday and bring it when I go on trips when filtered water may not be as accessible. I have a HydroFlask, I love it because I can fill it  up with cold water and it will stay cool for the rest of the day!
  • Diva Cup – this one’s for the ladies.  I had read about the Diva Cup and done some research about it when I was applying and then accepted into the Peace Corps.  A couple of months before leaving I decided to buy one to try it out and see how comfortable I was with it.  I’m so glad I brought one and will never go back! If you don’t know what a Diva Cup it, it is essentially a reusable cup that you use during menstruation, its small, portable and can be easily cleaned.  Its also a bonus being eco-friendly so you don’t have to worry about where you’ll discard your tampons/pads living in a country where all trash is burned.. Tampons are also very hard to find in country and you’ll be saving loads of money buying a menstrual cup! Here’s some blog posts/articles that helped me decide which one to buy
  • External Battery Charger – these come in handy during brownouts and during travel.  You can find them in country but ones in the states are much better quality and have a longer lasting battery
  • Comforts from home – with Peace Corps service there are many ups and downs that you will experience and having little bits of home with you can help you get through those tougher moments.  Before I left some of my family and friends wrote inspiring messages in a journal for me and its something I go back to when I need a boost of encouragement.  I also brought a journal with me here to keep track of my thoughts, ideas and experiences.  Photos from home are great to share with your host family and to keep on your walls.  Any other comforts such as snacks, books, clothing, you name it, bring! It will be what your looking for when you’re going through a hard time or just missing home
  • Probiotics – a random but goodie.  I had some stomach issues back in the states and knew more issues could arise here so I brought a long a bottle of probiotics.  I’m pretty sure they saved me during training because a lot of people got sick but I was standing strong, I also have these shipped to me when I run out. Tip: buy a big bottle of ~100+ pills so it lasts longer!

Glad I Brought 

  • Yoga Travel Mat – I’m really happy that I have a yoga mat, I use it everyday for workouts and yoga.  Decent mats are sold in a lot of malls here and are easy to find, so I wish I would have saved the luggage space and brought one in country
  • Essential oils – on a blog I saw before coming they suggested bringing peppermint oil to ward off ants/bugs, I bought a bottle and use it here ALL THE TIME.  My essential oil collection has grown and I now have tea tree oil and lavender.  Not only does peppermint oil help with the bugs, but its a great way to cool yourself down (I put some in a spray bottle and spray before bed), tea tree oil also helps a lot with bug itchiness and skin rashes.  You can also easily find essential oils here!
  • Extra Headphones & Phone Charger – hard to find good quality in country, small and easy to pack
  • Chacos – I was hardcore against chacos before joining PC, but I wear them a lot here during the day and hiking. They’re an investment but worth it, I got mine on sale so you can defiantly get a good deal if you look hard
  • Croc Flip Flops – these were something I had sent to me and I’m so glad I did, they’re a little more sturdier than chinelas ((flip-flops)), super light, easy to pack and clean!
  • Dry Bags – it rains a lot here and a lot of travel is done by boat so dry bags are great to protect your electronics.  I brought a 15L bag and a 5L, these can also be found in country but are less expensive in the states

Clothing

These are my suggestions for clothing, but ultimately bring what will make you feel like YOU, you’re going to want to keep some of your ‘style’ during service.  While yes it is hot here in the Philippines, its not necessary to bring all the cooling/wicking/trekking gear that you’ll find at REI/outdoor stores, save your money, take a look in your closet or stop by a local Goodwill to find clothing.

  • Shirts/Dresses
    • 5-7 loose cotton shirts – they are breezy and comfortable at wont stick to your skin, make sure they’re appropriate to wear to school!
    • 3 casual dresses – I brought a t-shirt dress from Old Navy and wear it every week, its super comfortable (I had one more sent to me) to wear over leggings.  These will also be good to wear to school events
    • 4 tank tops – good to dress up with a scarf, shawl and to wear around the house
    • 2 workout/quick dry shirts – I don’t actually wear these when I exercise but they’re nice to travel in ((when I exercise I wear a t-shirt and leggings, you will acquire a lot of t-shirts in country!)
    • 1 nice dress – this will be worn during swearing in
    • Skip the polo shirts, I brought one and wore it once during training and haven’t since, you will also accumulate many polos (Peace Corps polos) and others in country
  • Pants
    • 2 jeans/jeggings – I found jeggings really comfortable in the states and they are comfortable to have here, especially in the heat.  Jeans are also considered formal here so you can wear them to work
    • 1 pair of ‘nice’ pants – from Old Navy I also had a pair of their Pixi Pants that I wore all the time during student teaching and I threw them in last minute, I’m really glad I did and wear them during training and important school functions
    • 2 skirts (optional) – I actually brought two pairs of maxi skirts here but I had them turned into pants because they were too hot to wear to school, if I were to pack again, I would have left them at home
    • 2 shorts – to wear during travel
    • 4-5 leggings – these are great for exercising, travel and lounging
    • 3 athletic shorts
  • Other
    • Swimwear – I brought a t-shirt rash guard, swim shorts, tankini and a bikini.  Around site I will wear the t-shirt with my tankini under with the shorts, filipinos wear shirt/shorts while swimming so you will feel uncomfortable wearing something less.  Bring the bikini for vacations where there will be other foreigners
    • 1-2 light scarves – I wear these during trainings while in the AC, but they’re also great to cover your shoulders wearing tank tops
    • A sarong – so many uses! Blanket, towel, cover-up, you can also find these in country
    • Shoes (gym shoes, 1 pair of flats, 1 pair of nice sandals, chacos, flip-flops)
    • Bras – here I’m most comfortable wearing bandeaus and sports bras, but you most likely will not be able to find bras in your size so I would recommend bringing a couple
    • Sweatshirt/light hoodie – I wish I brought mine, it does get colder at nights during rainy season and all the buses blast AC so you’re gonna want to be warm

Misc.

  • Toiletries (razor & replaceable blades, good deodorant (many here have whitening products in them), hair ties, face wash you like, hair products) Peace Corps provides you with a MedKit and the health essentials
  • Emergen-C
  • Pasalubong for host families – card games, american flags, candies, etc,
  • Headlamp
  • Solar LUCI light – easy to fold and charge, also good for brownouts
  • Journal
  • Coloring Book/Pencils
  • Deck of cards
  • Camera
  • Bike helmet and lock – this varies by site, I knew that I wanted to get a bike in country so I decided to bring them and I’m glad I did.  Good helmets and locks are hard to find and are expensive
  • Reusable bags
  • 2 Luggage locks

Bags

These are the bags that I brought with me in country and use daily and for travel

  • Patagonia Black Hole Duffle Bag – this along with a rolling suitcase were my two 50LB bags I brought.  The duffle is waterproof, very roomy and has two straps that you can wear as a backpack
  • Patagonia Backpack – I use this backpack everyday for school and my carry-on for travel and also for short weekend trips
  • Kavu Rope Bag – I use as my purse here, so roomy and can be worn on your back or around the front
  • Hiking backpack – I got mine from REI and already had it so I did not want to buy a new one.  Mine is 40L, I like my bag but sometimes I wish I had brought a bigger pack (45-60L) for longer trips. Tip: bring a rain cover

 

Good luck & let the packing games begin! 🙂