Better start packing!!

Moving across the world to serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer for twenty-sevenish months? 

  Choose wisely what stays & what goes!

Here is what has helped me during my service in The Gambia, West Africa.

MQD’s Essential Ten:

FOOD {Gatorade mix, Clif Bars, granola bars, Tootsie Rolls/M&M’s (all other chocolate melts), Skittles, Star Burst, gum, dried fruit, Cheezits/Goldfish, dehydrated soup mixes, beef jerky, packets of tuna/chicken, nuts/seeds…If you pack nothing else, pack food. Seriously.}  

Lap Top* {YES! Bring it…Those who did are thankful and those who didn’t wish that they did. You’ll have lots of typing and reporting to do plus watching a movie every now and then is such a treat. Bringing an extra battery and speakers is also a good idea.}

External Hardrive {“Hello! What’s your name? Where are you from? Can I have all of your data?” is a typical first conversation when new & old Peace Corps Volunteers meet. Please bring us up to the times and download all the latest music, movies, and tv shows that you can fit!}

Solar Charger {My Solio didn’t last long but my Solar Monkey works miracles.}

School Supplies {rubber cement, flash drives, binder clips, Sharpies, page protectors, crayons, accordion folders, tape (packing, duct, scotch, etc.), push pins/thumb tacks, scissors, various sizes of Ziploc bags and bubble mailers}

Umbrella/Rain Jacket {You’ll be arriving with the rains!! Don’t worry about rain boots as flip flops work way better. The umbrella also provides shade during the dry season. The wind gets fierce so buy a strong one!}

Nalgene Water Bottles {Gotta stay hydrated! I brought three with me.}

Fabric {Your Alma Mater, favorite sports team, cartoon character, animal...get creative! It’s a fun way to blend cultures as many Gambians have clothes handmade by tailors. Two meters/yards work well for pants, a wrap skirt, or a shirt.}

Plastic Containers {Various sizes, useful when packing and protecting your things}

Something that feels like home {Maybe it’s a special coffee mug you use every morning, a poster that’s been hung everywhere you’ve lived, pictures of family/friends, magnets, board games, a musical instrument, or a stuffed animal even! If it makes you think of home bring it.  You’ll be turning your hut into your home and these little items help a whole lot.}  

Don’t waste your packing space with clothes {you’ll outgrow them one way or the other}, extra toiletries {yes~ toilet paper, swabs, American brands of shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, deodorant, soap, etc. are available for purchase here}, or extra medical supplies {the Peace Corps Medical Kit is quite extensive}.

Happy Packing! See y’all soonsoon :-]  

And don't worry, somehow it will all magically fit into two suitcases...

 

*I primarily use my iPhone for browsing the Internet while in village, taking pictures, and making international phone calls {I make local phone calls with my Peace Corps issued cell phone}.