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
That seems like an impossible amount of stuff to fit in such a small amount of luggage!! Did it all fit? I am leaving for staging for Nicaragua on August 30th so I am just starting to look at luggage and things! Love seeing the list, thanks!
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since when do you know/ have/ play SET??? that is my favorite game in the world, I hope you enjoy it.
which books did you bring?
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howard zinn’s a people’s history of the united states; charles dickens’s a tale of two cities; and greg mortenson’s stones into schools.
i’ve always known how to play SET!
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I’m going to Nicaragua in July so this was a great help considering i had absolutely no idea of what to bring haha, so thank you. Just wondering though how long were you there for?
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Hey Sasha! Glad the packing list was helpful. I was there for 27 months. Nicaragua is a wonderful country and you’re going to love it. Best of luck!
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