Packing List

It's been three weeks since my last post and for that I apologize. I'm sure you're all thinking, "if she can't keep this up now, how will she possibly be able to keep this up in Africa?" I'm sorry! The last few weeks have been extremely busy an I promise to try and do better.

I'm leaving for Washington D.C. tomorrow morning, so obviously I can't sleep. I thought I'd take the opportunity to post my packing list (from the exciting and extreme to mundane and obvious) to help any future PCVs. A huge thank you goes out to SWK, who trekked all the way to Westfield from NYC to help me shove things into two bags. I should also point out that after freaking out for weeks that all of my stuff wouldn't fit, I have extra space! Who would've thought? Not me, that's for sure. 

Clothing

• 1 pair of jeans
• 2 pairs of hiking pants (one long, one capri length)
• 2 pairs of yoga pants
• 1 pair of cotton sleep shorts
• 1 pair of longish soccer shorts
• 3 skirts
• 2 dresses
• 1 fleece jacket
• 3 tank tops
• 4 work-out type shirts
• 4 t-shirts
• 1 long-sleeve shirt
• 1 "going-out" shirt
• 2 bathing suits
• 20 pairs of underwear
• 6 sports bras
• 4 regular bras
• 5 pairs of socks
• Hats (1 baseball, 1 other)
• Jewelry

Shoes

• 1 pair of Chaco sandals
• 1 pair of flip-flops
• Nike running shoes
• Cheap black flats

Gear

• Sheets (1 set of full-size)
• Northface rolling duffel bag
• Osprey Hiking backpack
• Northface daypack
• Brown cross-body purse
• Laptop sleeve
• Pillow (packed in compression sack)
• Sleeping bag
• Headlamp
• Travel alarm clock
• Water Bottles (2)
• REI Bug Tent
• Thermarest sleeping pad

Electronics

• Ipod/charger/case/headphones (3)
• Portable speakers
• Kindle
• Batteries (8 rechargeable AAA, 8 rechargeable AA)
• Battery charger
• Plug adapters (3)
• Converter
• Macbook (w/ extra computer battery)
• Digital camera (2; one point-and-shoot, one SLR)/extra batteries/battery chargers/memory cards (4)/USB cord/card reader
• USB key
• External hard drive
• Solio Solar Charger (I just hope it actually works)

Health and Body

• Sunscreen (lots! I am most likely going to be the "whitest person in Senegal," at least that's what my mother says)
• Ibuprofen
• Hand sanitizer
• Facewash
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Loofah
• Body lotion
• Deodorant (3)
• Razor and replacement blades
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Hairbrush
• Hairbands
• Headbands
• Tweezers
• Nail clippers
• Q-tips
• Mirror
• Makeup
• Chapstick (4)
• Feminine products (please ask if you require more details)

Miscellaneous

• Copies of important documents
• Senegal/Gambia travel guide (Lonely Planet)
• French/English dictionary
• World Map
• Photo Album
• Tupperwear
• Ziplock bags
• Leatherman tool
• Duct tape
• Drink mixes (Crystal Light and Snapple)
• Plastic accordion file
• Notebooks/Journals
• Daily planner
• Pens/Pencils/Markers/Highlighter
• Luna/Clif Bars
• Beef Jerkey