Peace Corps allows me to bring two checked pieces of luggage with a combined weight under 80 pounds and combined dimensions under 107 inches (2x l+w+h), and one carry-on bag not exceeding 11 pounds. Of course I will also have to lug around everything I pack, and I'll need to leave space for some of the supplies that Peace Corps will give me upon arrival (first-aid kit, cookbook, sheets, etc.), so packing light is important! Ahhh...how do I begin to describe the stress associated with trying to prepare to live in Tanzania for two years, within two relatively small bags? Not to mention that Tanzania is huge and has varied geography/weather, and I have no idea where I'll end up or what my living situation will be like (hot or cold?, running water or electricity?).
Peace Corps has a recommended packing list, and I've also contacted a few current Tanzania volunteers about packing questions. Most clothes/toiletries/supplies can be purchased in Tanzania, but the best advice I've heard is to bring enough stuff to last through training (when you're unfamiliar with stores/prices and spare time is hard to come by). Once I move into my community, the Peace Corps will give me a small "settling-in allowance" so that I can buy some household furnishings and necessities. Clothes have ended up taking most of my attention, as Tanzania has very different standards of dress than I'm used to. Women, especially in rural villages, generally dress conservatively and do not wear pants. I am required to teach in skirts or dresses that are below the knee, where slips, and cover my shoulders. Having grown up in the Texas heat where shorts and tank tops are wardrobe staples, you might imagine that I had to buy some new clothes. Although most Peace Corps volunteers end up getting a lot of their clothes locally, I am bringing a few high-quality, durable clothes/shoes that I won't be able to find in Tanzania (tech-fabric pants, Chacos, etc). I'm also bringing a number of electronics/entertainment/comfort items that will help me stay in touch with all of you at home, pass the time, or just make my life a little more enjoyable. All in all, I've spent quite a bit of money to prepare for "living poor", which feels extremely ridiculous and slightly wrong, but I suppose it's worth it if it helps make my two years a little bit easier.
Peace Corps has a recommended packing list, and I've also contacted a few current Tanzania volunteers about packing questions. Most clothes/toiletries/supplies can be purchased in Tanzania, but the best advice I've heard is to bring enough stuff to last through training (when you're unfamiliar with stores/prices and spare time is hard to come by). Once I move into my community, the Peace Corps will give me a small "settling-in allowance" so that I can buy some household furnishings and necessities. Clothes have ended up taking most of my attention, as Tanzania has very different standards of dress than I'm used to. Women, especially in rural villages, generally dress conservatively and do not wear pants. I am required to teach in skirts or dresses that are below the knee, where slips, and cover my shoulders. Having grown up in the Texas heat where shorts and tank tops are wardrobe staples, you might imagine that I had to buy some new clothes. Although most Peace Corps volunteers end up getting a lot of their clothes locally, I am bringing a few high-quality, durable clothes/shoes that I won't be able to find in Tanzania (tech-fabric pants, Chacos, etc). I'm also bringing a number of electronics/entertainment/comfort items that will help me stay in touch with all of you at home, pass the time, or just make my life a little more enjoyable. All in all, I've spent quite a bit of money to prepare for "living poor", which feels extremely ridiculous and slightly wrong, but I suppose it's worth it if it helps make my two years a little bit easier.
Packing List:
- Clothing -
1 rain/wind jacket
1 fleece jacket
14 tops (6 short-sleeve, 2 three-quarter-sleeve, 1 long underwear, 2 t-shirt, 2 tank, 1 dry-fit sport)
4 skirts
1 dress
1 pair quick-dry pants
1 pair quick-dry capris
1 pair exercise shorts
1 pair cotton lounge/exercise capris
1 pair lounge/sleep pants
1 pair leggings
1 pair leggings
2 slips (full, half)
4 bras
2 sport bras
14 pairs underwear
4 pairs socks
2 pairs flats (black, brown)
2 pairs sandals (Chacos, Birkenstocks)
1 pair running shoes
1 swimsuit
1 cap
1 pair sunglasses
2 purses/bags
2 purses/bags
- Toiletries -
2 bottles 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner
2 bottles body wash
1 bath puff
1 razor + 3 spare blades
2 containers deodorant
3 toothbrushes
2 tubes toothpaste
4 containers dental floss
2 bottles lotion (face, body)
1 bottle sunscreen
1 hairbrush
1 pair haircutting scissors
2 bottles 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner
2 bottles body wash
1 bath puff
1 razor + 3 spare blades
2 containers deodorant
3 toothbrushes
2 tubes toothpaste
4 containers dental floss
2 bottles lotion (face, body)
1 bottle sunscreen
1 hairbrush
1 pair haircutting scissors
1 quick dry towl
1 small mirror
1 diva cup
2 boxes tampons
8 tubes chapstick
4 packs kleenex
1 pair tweezers
1 pair nail clippers
various hair-ties, clips, bobby-pins
little bit of make-up and jewelry
2 boxes tampons
8 tubes chapstick
4 packs kleenex
1 pair tweezers
1 pair nail clippers
various hair-ties, clips, bobby-pins
little bit of make-up and jewelry
- Kitchen/Household -
1 Cutco knife
1 plastic egg carrier
various powdered mixes (drinks, spice, sauce, soup, brownie), boullion cubes, clif bars
2 bottles hand sanitizer
various powdered mixes (drinks, spice, sauce, soup, brownie), boullion cubes, clif bars
2 bottles hand sanitizer
1 multi-tool
1 mini sewing kit
1 mini clothesline+clips
3 clothes hangers
3 clothes hangers
1 roll duct tape
1 roll electrical tape
1 roll string
3 combination locks
1 stain spot remover
1 roll string
3 combination locks
1 stain spot remover
lots of ziploc bags
various zip ties, safety pins, straight pins, rubber bands, paper clips, s-biners, etc.
- Electronics -
1 netbook + spare battery + charger
1 external CD/DVD drive
1 external CD/DVD drive
1 external harddrive
2 flash drives
2 flash drives
1 ethernet cable
1 digital camera + spare battery + charger
1 ipod + earbuds + chargers
1 set of portable speakers
1 shortwave radio + charger
1 head lamp
1 graphing calculator
1 travel alarm clock + spare battery
1 wristwatch
1 unlocked GSM phone
1 unlocked GSM phone
2 plug adapters
40 spare batteries (AA, AAA)
- Entertainment -
2 journals
1 sketchbook + charcoal pencils + prismacolors
5 books
10 dvds
various games (deck of cards, uno, dice, travel scrabble)
various stuff for kids (mini soccer ball, crayons, stickers)
various games (deck of cards, uno, dice, travel scrabble)
various stuff for kids (mini soccer ball, crayons, stickers)
- Miscellaneous -
1 sleeping bag
1 large Nalgene bottle
5 books stamps
40 envelopes
40 envelopes
1 photo album + pics of friends and family
1 poster of Austin, signed by friends and family
1 poster of Austin, signed by friends and family
1 Lonely Planet: Tanzania book
1 secondary math textbook
1 umbrella
1 umbrella
various pens, pencils, sharpies, highlighters
various notebooks, post-its, index cards
various PC paperwork
