Packing List

Clothes

• Tops:
  • 3 button-down shirts
  • 6 t-shirts
  • 6 tank tops  with thick-ish straps
  • 1 long sleeve shirt
  • 2 cardigans
• Bottoms:
  • 5 skirts
  • 1 shorts (apparently people hate shorts in Nica.  Good–I do too.)
  • 2 jeans
  • 1 khakis
  • 1 cotton pants
• 1 nice dress for Swearing In
• 1 raincoat
• 1 fleece
• 2 pajama sets (conservative)
• 2 workout clothes (3 sports bras, 2 shorts, 2 shirts)
• 2 bathing suits (1 bikini, 1 one piece)/ goggles/ macacão (thanks Ari)
• 5 bras/ 4 wks of underwear/3 wks of socks (some will be put away until later on)
• 1 Red Sox hat (duh)
• 1 bandanna
• Fun but inexpensive jewelery
• 2 sunglasses

Shoes
I was warned by a RPCV that if you’re going to invest in anything before going to Nicaragua, invest in good shoes.  Well, if you insist:

• 2 running shoes
• 1 hiking shoes (half off! see this link for PC discounts)
• 1 chacos
• 1 Sperry Topsider
• 2 nice professional sandals
• 1 house shoe
• 1 shower shoe

Toiletries
Peace Corps gives volunteers all the medicine they will need in a first aid kit.  For list of items, see the Welcome Book.  Most items can be found in country, and volunteers are requested to bring only a 3 month supply. With that in mind, here’s my list:

• 1 pair sheets (I got a full set so it can fit on any bed)
• 1 mesh shower bag
• 1 lightweight bathrobe
• 3 super absorbent awesome towels
• 1 laundry bag
• 1 shampoo/ conditioner
• 2 bars of soap
• 2 face wash (I like a certain brand)
• 1 Stridex (my face WILL be zit free)
• 2 of my favorite hair product
• 1 sparkly blue retainer (I got to pick the color myself)
• 1 toothpaste
• 2 toothbrushes
• 2 deodorants
• 1 razor/ razor blades
• 1-2 year supply of tampons/ diva cup for backup
• 1 box q-tips
• Some hair and make-up supplies too
• 1 box earplugs
• 3 month supply of birth control pills
• 1 plan B

Kitchen

• 1 water bottle
• 1 french press
• Coffee
• Tea
• Spices: cumin, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, etc…

Host Family Gifts

• Red Sox hats
• Wild Maine blueberry jam
• Postcards of Boston
• Stuff for kids: Boston-themed Silly Bandz, jigsaw puzzle, baseball, and non-Boston themed slinky, harmonica, toy car, stickers

Desk supplies

• 2 folders
• 1 notebook
• Colored pencils/ pencil sharpener
• Thumb tacks
• Address book
• Calendar

Stuff to make me happy

• 3 books
• 2 gournals (extra points if you get the reference)
• Photos
• My small lightweight Patriots fleece blanket (fo’ free! Thanks Becca)
• Map of Boston
• Map of world
• 2 frisbees
• 1 sarong thing for decoration or towel/ blanket use

Other

• Ziplock bags
• A few hangers
• Batteries
• Swiss Army Knife (I got the Climber–thanks Chip, Molly, and Lindsay)
• Headlamp
• Backup flashlight
• Bicycle helmet (apparently these are required AND impossible to find)
• Duct tape
• Small mirror
• Mezuzah (thanks Naa)
• Lock
• 1 deck of cards
• SET: the game
• Electronics…keeping it to the minimum.  If you must know, e-mail me.

Luggage/ Bags

• 1 rolling duffle
• 1 backpacking backpack
• 1 regular backpack
• 2 totes (was going to bring one, but then got a FREE Peace Corps tote at an event.  Never hurts to have an extra bag…)
• 1 purse