Packing list suggestions for the PCTs!

Hello newbies!!  So you’re most likely doing what I was doing before coming to Malawi...blog stalking.  Some of my biggest questions was what I should bring.  So I’m sharing my list with you all, and giving you reasons as to why I would bring or not bring something.  If someone gives me a reason for something it makes more sense, so I hope this helps. 

Huge suggestion:  I went to REI and shopped around to see things I wanted to buy.  I wrote it all down and then searched the internet to see where I could find it cheapest.  Overall I would bet I saved about $200+ by shopping on amazon.com.

Another suggestion is that if you are contemplating bringing something (like a computer, yoga mat, etc) and you use it on a regular basis, you will most likely be sorry if you leave it.  I wish I’d brought a yoga mat, which sounds funny...but I have lots of time at site and would enjoy having it!  Hope this helps ease some nerves.  Feel free to ask questions about any of the item!  Also, eat lots of good food...you will miss it.  

General:

• Dictionary - its nice to look up unknown words in all the books you will read
• Star Book - night skies are amazing, it’s nice to know what you’re looking at
• Bed sheets - twin sheets; sheets here are not as comfortable
• Pressure cooker - if you can manage, it’s great...cooks beans in no time.  I brought a 4 quart size 
• Speakers - for iPod/etc.  Try to find ones where you don’t have to use AAA batteries
• Calendar - it’s nice to be able to see a few months out, and make plans!
• Snack bars - having a buffer of familiar food when getting used to Malawian food
• Peanut butter - can buy in country, but it’s nice to have at the college when you first arrive
• Tent - self explanatory!  A 2 person is a good size
• Sleeping bag pad - bring a warmer weather one; it packs/travels well
• Shampoo/Conditioner - I brought a bottle of each, it’s nice to have something to get started with
• Bodywash - I brough Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap.  Its great for washing stuff and lasts forever since it’s very concentrated!
• Kitchen knives - sharp ones!  
• Plastic bags - quart/gallon size, nice to have for misc. things
• Hammock - I haven’t hung mine up yet but I cant wait to find a place for it
• Bathing suit - need it for the lake!
• Hiking boots - I splurged and bought some really good ones and they are one of my best buys.  Lots of hiking to be done, and you want comfortable boots/shoes
• Wool socks - for the hiking boots.  SmartWool brand is awesome
• Leatherman - invest and buy a nice one, you wont be sorry!  Knife, pliers, scissors are a  must for me
• Headlamp - get a good one, you’ll use it a lot if you don’t have electricity.  Helps you to prevent from stepping on snakes too ;)
• Writing paper/envelopes - enough to get you started, but you can get it all in country
• Journal 2x+ - If you like to write and have a preferred journal, bring it!  I love Moleskin and brought two, will probably have more sent
• Chaco sandals - they’re awesome, take a little while to break in but they’re great.  You can get a 50% discount as a PCV
• Flip flops - bring a few good pairs from the USA that wont break as easily as ones here
• Sewing kit - I like to sew and brought needles, pins, and thread.  So happy I did, its tough to find good stuff in the market
• Rain jacket - ha, for sure.  My suggestion: test it in the shower.  Sounds silly but I’m serious.  I ended up coming with a windbreaker instead of a waterproof jacket!
• Wash cloth - you can get in country, but I’d bring one or two if it’s something you use
• Cocoon sleeping bag liner - nice to make your sleeping bag last longer and to take to the lodges, but it’s not a necessity
• Running shoes - if you’re a runner, bring them
• Hat - bring at least one, a favorite for sure!  Great when you’re feeling lazy and don’t want to wash hair :D
• Vitamins - I invested in ‘Alive!’ vitamins (you can find at Whole Food or equivalent), which is an amazingly complete vitamin; very beneficial for being in Africa.  You would not believe the difference that vitamins make here, especially when you’re not getting the nutrients in food you would back in the States.  It also helps HUGE when you have wounds (which you will definitely have here: cuts/etc) because they heal super fast  I heal faster here then I did back home, which is great to cut down time for infections.  I brought Calcium too; it’s really not in the diet here.  http://www.herbalremedies.com/almulvitwir9.html
• Solar charger  - I bought a Solio 3 panel.  It’s great to be able to charge your iPod and cell phone (Nokia, most likely what we got during training). http://www.amazon.com/Solio-Magnesium-Universal-Hybrid-Charger/dp/B000X12Q8A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1274431380&sr=8-1
• Sunglasses - get a cheap pair, they’ll probably break at some point.  Get the protected ones too
• Duct tape - if it fits, bring it!!  1001 uses
• Drawing pencils - if ya draw, bring ‘em
• Address book - duh, bring it
• Books - bring a few that you really like and are willing to trade.  You can get books at the Peace Corps office but not a wide range, so bring some you could read a few times 
• Batteries - AAA which should fit your headlamp.  Batteries here are not very good quality here so bring lots
• Waterproof Bags - dust gets in EVERYTHING here.  For your iPod and favorite electronics/journals/etc. it’s nice to have it protected
• Souvenirs - I brought two Colorado books to give to my host family and counterpart.  It’s nice to be able to show pictures of where you are from
• Photos - I made a book on Snapfish of family photos/friends/etc which has been awesome.  It’s nice to pull out one book to be able to show off my family back home instead of individual photographs
• Toothpaste - can get in country, but it’s nice to have a fat tube to start off with
• Deoterant - it’s expensive in country, so bring a few sticks!
• Makeup - for ladies, definitely bring some.  I don’t wear makeup on a regular basis by any means, but trust me it’s nice to feel pretty every once in a while in the city
• Pens - you can get those cheap BIC pens here, so if you like specific ones, bring lots
• Toothbrush - bring a few.  They don’t take up much space and you’re gonna use them.  Okay, you’d better use them!
• Chapstick - yep, its a good thing to have
• Floss - PC gives you floss but its awful, it’s not waxed!  Bring your own, again, it doesn’t take up space.  Those Reach Flosser things are awesome too.
• Ear plugs - self explanatory!  Great for when you’re staying in lodges/dorm rooms and people are snoring :p
• Face soap - if you have a specific kind, bring it.  You’ll find quick here that you do not have options, so stock up while you have the option ;)
• Headphones - bring extra pairs.  Should have listened with this suggestion because they get beat up and break easily
• Cards - yep, fun to play card games
• Spices - for cooking!  Bring lots, especially of ones you like or use a lot.
• Laptop - must bring if you use!  I brought my Macbook and it’s great.  It’ll probably break, but I insured it.  INSURE EVERYTHING thats costs a lot of money
• External HD - yes, bring this.  A big one, full of music and tons of movies.  You will trade music and movies with everyone in your group.  Also, if you bring your laptop download a program that will convert movies to MP4, which is the format you can play on your iPod (Mac has Handbrake, it’s awesome)
• A hobby - I like to sew, journal, and draw.  Bring materials for a hobby you like and make you happy.  You’ll have lots of time!
• World map - It’s great decoration for your walls in your house eventually, but also fun to learn the world more and plan trips ;)

Clothing:

• Skirts - some you enjoy; you can get in country but if you have them bring them.
• Pants - jeans!  Bring one pair, maybe two.  They’re not fun to wash!
• Capris - nice because you’re covering your knees and they’re cooler (temperature wise) than pants.  If you’re a runner, especially capris so you can cover yourself in the village
• T-shirts - ones that you like!
• Tank tops - I wish I had brought more of these.  Trust me on this, I wish I had listened to other volunteers.  Head to Old Navy and buy a good handful
• Sports bras - they are the new purse!  You can carry things in them and they’re so easy to wash. 
• Dress - I brought a dress from home for Swearing-In ceremony and so happy I did.  You it’s nice to have something you feel cute in, especially after 2 months of village life.  Yu can get ones made here that are the national wear (chitenje fabric) but don’t expect it to fit like a tailor back in the States.  Must different cut here.
• Underwear - self explanatory.  Bring more than you think, I’ve heard they start to fall apart after a while.  And you cannot get good ones in country from my experience thus far.
• PJs - shorts are best, it’s hot here.  But bring long pants too if you ever wear them
• Diva cup - women, check it out.  It’s awesome, you wont be sorry.

Don’t Bring:

• Towel - chitenje’s (1 meter cut of fabric), you will learn, can be used for everything, including a towel.  We got them when we arrived to country, and you all probably will too.  A regular towel sucks to wash, and because of that I dont use it.  It was a waste of room.

Things I didn’t bring and wish I had:

• Crystal light - its nice to have different flavors since you’ll be drinking water ALL the time
• Nalgene - brought a Sigg bottle, but Nalgene’s are much better
• Tanktops - brought some, but wish I had brought more
• Favorite food goodies - yep, more.  You’ll miss it all!
• Q-tips - yep, gotta keep ears clean, and I have yet to find them in country.

Requests :)

• If you can squeeze any room in your bags, bring some Reese PB Cups, I miss those!
• Crystal Light packets too, as I obviously didn't bring any :p

But really, be selfish and pack what you want!  Pack to the max with your bags, you wont be sorry.  My approach was that I had access to so much when I was in the States and thought (which I was right) that I wouldnt be able to get all of that here.  

These are just my suggestions, so take as you will!  Again, any questions please feel free to ask.  Best of luck getting ready and packing.  Just relax, you all will be in great hands.  Peace Corps Malawi is awesome, and the PC Staff is one of a kind.  I wanted to know everything before coming to country but it’s just a learning process.  Everything is new!  Sit back, relax, and honestly enjoy every step of the way. Looking forward to meeting you all!