Dear incoming PCTs,
You are undoubtedly freaking out about
packing right now, so here is what I brought with me, and all the
things I would have changed about that. BTW, PC upped the weight
limit for baggage, which they didn't need to do, and you do not need
to fill every pound of stuff you are allowed to bring. Honestly, you
will be happier in your travels if you don't have two large bags and
a carry on. It is not fun to drag all of that across airports, the
Msimbazi Center, or across the country to homestay and your site.
Good luck packing!
Luggage: (This was an uncomfortable amount of stuff)
1 large duffel bag
1 giant internal frame Kelty backpack, 4750 in^3
1 carry on daypack
1 carry on daypack
Clothes: (I still use all the clothes I brought for training, and I have added to them by getting clothes made or buying clothes here. You can buy or make pretty much anything you can imagine)
2 nice blouses
3 below the knee length skirts
2 cardigans
4 short sleeve t-shirts for business and casual wear. It is suggested that t-shirts should be a poly cotton blend or something like that- not 100% cotton- because they dry faster and don't get as wrinkly.
1 pair jeans
long sweats
1 pair quick dry capris
1 pair quick dry capris
1 pair pajama pants and shorts
3 t-shirts for sleeping or exercising
1 light weight pair of leggings to wear under kanga/ skirts
an overabundance of socks, underwear and bras, including sports bras (This is important! Good bras do not exist in TZ)
swimsuit (YUS!)
scarf, beanie
tank tops for layering
sunhat
sunglasses
sunglasses
Shoes:
Tevas and Chacos sandals, 1 pair each
1 pair nice dress flats (I wore these once at swear in and never again)
running shoes
1 pair of Toms because I love them so much
(There are all kinds of pretty flip flops, or crappy plastic flip flops, or slip on canvas shoes in country)
(There are all kinds of pretty flip flops, or crappy plastic flip flops, or slip on canvas shoes in country)
Hobbies/ Sanity Maintenance:
computer and external hard drive with as much music, movies, and TV as would fit (You want this. If you don't bring a computer, you will be sad. I don't use it in my vill, but I do in town, and its worth it. I suggest a small netbook or tablet, easier to travel with)
deck of playing cards, Uno, Dominoes, Left Center Right games (good to play with kids, or solitaire)
iPod (This is an obvious one)
portable speaker (YES! especially good if you can traval with it)
Kindle packed with books (Pretty much the source of my happiness, at least the main source of entertainment in the vill)
portable speaker (YES! especially good if you can traval with it)
Kindle packed with books (Pretty much the source of my happiness, at least the main source of entertainment in the vill)
camera (yes)
US map and large world map (I like having it, but they are also available here, if kind of hard to find)
Goal Zero solar charger for small electronics (This is a MUST! I would be so much sadder if I didn't have this.)
US map and large world map (I like having it, but they are also available here, if kind of hard to find)
Goal Zero solar charger for small electronics (This is a MUST! I would be so much sadder if I didn't have this.)
Misc:
awesome sleeping bag that is super light weight and stuffs super tiny (hasn't seen much use, but I still think its a good idea to have, you never know. This is Tanzania, dude.)
plastic baggies (rarely ever use plastic baggies, but bring a few)
flashlight with extra batteries and headlamp (yes)
(advice for ladies) the Keeper (yes! tampons suck if you have a porcelain choo)
reusable water bottle (yes! I also have a camelback water thing which I love)
purse/bag (I don't remember which bag I brought, but you can get those here, and PC gave us a tote bag)
laundry sack (use it, but not necessary)
watch (yes, but nothing nice, something durable)
toiletries: shampoo, hair brush, razor, toothbrush, toothpaste, sunscreen, deodorant, soap, lotion, chapstick, makeup, Fabreeze/ body spray, etc. (yes, but don't bring two years worth of shampoo! You can get it in country. Razors are crazy expensive here, so bring some, but you can also get them mailed later)
small sewing kit (muy importante)
envelopes and stamps (not necessary, you can get envelopesat any posta, and I haven't used an American stamp yet)
photos of home (Yes! I wish I had brought more! Bring lots!)
concealable money pouch (yes, I use it every time I travel)
markers and crayons (nice, but not necessary)
2 quick drying tiny folding towels (used it a lot during training but now I just use kanga)
2 yr mini calendar (good, but not neccessary)
battery- run alarm clock (use it almost everyday)
foam pad to sleep on (haven't used it yet)
kitchen stuff: frying pan (YUSS!), good knife, french press (YUUUUSSSSS! and bring coffee)
Gifts for Host Family (You can buy really nice gifts that they will be more familiar with in country, so bringing them from America isn't necessary, but it can also be fun to introduce them to American things)
good kitchen knife
candies
colloring book
postcards, pictures showing SF
Things I Wish I had Brought
favorite boardgames- you will see PCVs frequently enough to make use of it
MCAT study book, not that I would have wanted to transport that here, but now I want to study
UV water disinfectant thingy- good for travelling, you'll save money on buying water
Peace Corps provided sheets, a big blanket, a flashlight, pillow, other random stuff. You will get pens and notebooks at every training you go to for PC.
2 quick drying tiny folding towels (used it a lot during training but now I just use kanga)
2 yr mini calendar (good, but not neccessary)
battery- run alarm clock (use it almost everyday)
foam pad to sleep on (haven't used it yet)
kitchen stuff: frying pan (YUSS!), good knife, french press (YUUUUSSSSS! and bring coffee)
Gifts for Host Family (You can buy really nice gifts that they will be more familiar with in country, so bringing them from America isn't necessary, but it can also be fun to introduce them to American things)
good kitchen knife
candies
colloring book
postcards, pictures showing SF
Things I Wish I had Brought
favorite boardgames- you will see PCVs frequently enough to make use of it
MCAT study book, not that I would have wanted to transport that here, but now I want to study
UV water disinfectant thingy- good for travelling, you'll save money on buying water
Peace Corps provided sheets, a big blanket, a flashlight, pillow, other random stuff. You will get pens and notebooks at every training you go to for PC.
