All that said, even in the paring down of my possessions, my American tendencies toward control, precision, and order have been out in full force—strangely more so than in my everyday life—perhaps as the final attempt to exert authority before being hurled into a foreign world in which I will inevitably feel quite vulnerable and helpless at times. These tendencies have manifested in a near compulsion to create the perfect packing list, get the perfect bags, and create the perfect organizational system (along with a corresponding chart which diagrams each item on said perfect packing list and its exact location within said perfect organizational system in said perfect bags). I would love to say that having seen through this thinly-veiled attempt to exercise control over my soon-to-be tumultuous life, I rose above this impulse and packed calmly and rationally like a normal person. But sadly, as I sit amidst my entirely packed, perfectly organized bags, staring at my color-coordinated and numbered itemized packing chart, just under a month before I am set to depart, I think it is quite clear that this is a battle that was not won.
I will admit to feeling a twinge of smug self-righteousness (as one of my dear friends often puts it) over my apparent over-achieving packing success (I say “apparent” because I am quite sure that once in country, I will find I have fallen into many packing pitfalls. And that’s okay.) However in all truth, as I stare at these bags and think of my two years to come, the thing that strikes me the most, trite though it sounds, is how blessed I am to have the love, encouragement, and support from so many friends and family members. You all mean the world to me, and I know I honestly would not be on the verge of embarking on my dream experience without all that you have given me. And that is something I can neither control, nor fit into a pack. (Awww.) Thank you, everyone. I am in constant awe of how lucky I am to have each of you in my life.
PACKING PHOTOS BELOW:
The inside of my big blue rolling duffel. Note the crazyawesome organization, including numbered bags. Be impressed.
The outside of my big blue rolling duffel.
Inside of the perfect backpack. Again, note the extreme level of organization. Also note that it opens like a regular pack, instead of at the top, like most backpacking packs. Way better for packing/unpacking/repacking.
The front outside of my pack, without the extra daypack attachment. This is how I will have to check it, with the daypack as a separate carry-on. This pack is SO versatile!
Outside side of my pack. Note the heavy-duty handles at the top and side, in case you want to carry it as a duffel instead of a pack.
Outside back of my pack. Where are the straps to carry it?
Oh, THERE they are. That’s right, this pack kicks butt. Well worth the intentionally undisclosed amount of time I spent researching to find it.
The back of my big pack’s companion day-pack with the straps all tucked in cute-like. Aww. What a pair these two make.
Front of the daypack.
Inside of daypack—even more crazy organizational madness.
Big pack with daypack attached. This thing is bigger than it looks, I promise!! (Also notice my cat Pierre, offering his moral support or condescension [could go either way] in the background.)
My bags, along with my carry-on all together…that’s my next two years in there, folks!
Happy Chelsea carrying her pack (happy, considering I JUST put it on).
I only hate my life a little bit when I have to carry all this. ;oP
Me and all my stuff.
PACKING LIST: (in NO order and with NO structure whatsoever. My advanced tables and graphs would not translate into the html box :oP):
6 dress shirts 2 cardigans Mirror Sleeping bag Sheets Protein powder Window screen material FM Radio Jump rope Seeds Can opener Vegetable peeler Rope Scissors Plug adapter/converter Rechargable batteries Pepper spray (at the suggestion of several returned volunteers. Not sure whether I’ll use it) Extra camera memory iPod speakers/plug iPod computer connector Duct tape Swiss army knife Chargers (for everything that needs charging!) External hard drive/cord Sewing kit Flash drives Extra headphones Camera tripod Headlamp Tennis shoes Dress/work shoes Sandals House Shoes Casual clothes 2 Skirts, past knee Socks Tights Underwear Undershirt Pajamas (for warm and cold weather) Tea Green produce bags Reusable shopping bags Rx Glasses Rx Sunglasses Sketchpad Pencils Paintbrushes Wildlife guidebooks Botswana guidebook Seattle books Stargazing book/star chart NGO Development book Earplugs Tampons Meds Vitamins Sunblock First aid kit Toothpaste Toothbrush Dental floss Hair brush Hair scissors Hairbands Lip balm Contact lenses Contact lense solution Deodorant Facial toner Facial moisturizer Grapseed oil (moisturizer) Razors Microfiber towel Face soap Shampoo Conditioner Long underwear Baselayer jacket Fleece jacket Rain shell Running pants Running shorts Running top Scarf Gloves Sunhat Index cards Sharpies Pens Journal Day calendar UNO Regular cards Dice game Blow-up globe Copies of all personal documents Laptop Camera FlipVideo iPod Binoculars Coffee press Water Bottles Sunglasses (non Rx) Toilet paper Pillow Travel alarm w/ thermometer and flashlight GPS w/ Africa chip Maps
If you have questions about anything on here (why it's on here, why something's not), I'm more than happy to answer. Botswana is a country where (according to volunteers) you can get most things you need (pots, pans, etc.) at stores in the bigger cities.
PACKING LIST: (in NO order and with NO structure whatsoever. My advanced tables and graphs would not translate into the html box :oP):
6 dress shirts 2 cardigans Mirror Sleeping bag Sheets Protein powder Window screen material FM Radio Jump rope Seeds Can opener Vegetable peeler Rope Scissors Plug adapter/converter Rechargable batteries Pepper spray (at the suggestion of several returned volunteers. Not sure whether I’ll use it) Extra camera memory iPod speakers/plug iPod computer connector Duct tape Swiss army knife Chargers (for everything that needs charging!) External hard drive/cord Sewing kit Flash drives Extra headphones Camera tripod Headlamp Tennis shoes Dress/work shoes Sandals House Shoes Casual clothes 2 Skirts, past knee Socks Tights Underwear Undershirt Pajamas (for warm and cold weather) Tea Green produce bags Reusable shopping bags Rx Glasses Rx Sunglasses Sketchpad Pencils Paintbrushes Wildlife guidebooks Botswana guidebook Seattle books Stargazing book/star chart NGO Development book Earplugs Tampons Meds Vitamins Sunblock First aid kit Toothpaste Toothbrush Dental floss Hair brush Hair scissors Hairbands Lip balm Contact lenses Contact lense solution Deodorant Facial toner Facial moisturizer Grapseed oil (moisturizer) Razors Microfiber towel Face soap Shampoo Conditioner Long underwear Baselayer jacket Fleece jacket Rain shell Running pants Running shorts Running top Scarf Gloves Sunhat Index cards Sharpies Pens Journal Day calendar UNO Regular cards Dice game Blow-up globe Copies of all personal documents Laptop Camera FlipVideo iPod Binoculars Coffee press Water Bottles Sunglasses (non Rx) Toilet paper Pillow Travel alarm w/ thermometer and flashlight GPS w/ Africa chip Maps
If you have questions about anything on here (why it's on here, why something's not), I'm more than happy to answer. Botswana is a country where (according to volunteers) you can get most things you need (pots, pans, etc.) at stores in the bigger cities.