The Packing List

I am all packed and ready to jet out tomorrow to Philadelphia for staging. Below is my obligatory Peace Corps Packing List. I found these incredibly useful on the blogs of other current and former volunteers, and used them and the Peace Corps' recommendations extensively in my preparation. This list includes packed items and items I will wear to staging on my person. I am at about 72 pounds for my checked luggage, so I made the 80 pound limit. A special shout-out to my former coworkers who put up with all of my online shipments of discounted gear.

Clothing

• 2 - Lightweight Pants
• 6 - T-Shirts (3 - Cotton, 3 - Lightweight)
• 8 - Socks (6 - Athletic, 2 - Dress)
• 1 - Sweatpants (My pseudo-sleeping bag if it were to actually get cold)
• 1 - Sweatshirt (Ditto)
• 1 - Lightweight Rain Jacket
• 2 - Baseball Caps
• 1 - Visor
• 1 - Swimsuit
• 4 - Lightweight Long-Sleeve Collared Shirts
• 14 - Boxers
• 1 - Dress Shirt, Tie, Dress Pants
• 3 - Shorts (2 - Basketball Shorts, 1 - Lightweight Khaki)
• 1 - Belt
• 2 - Prescription Glasses (1 - Regular, 1 - Transitions)
• 2 - Sunglasses (1 - Prescription, 1 - Cheap, Biking Glasses)

Shoes

• 1 - Salomon XA Pro 3D Running Shoes
• 1 - Chaco Sandals
• 1 - Docker's Dress Shoes

Hygiene (Many items on this list will be provided by the PC, but it is recommended to bring a 2-month supply to get through training.)

• 1 - Neutrogena T-Gel Shampoo
• 2 - Old Spice Deodorant (Partially Used)
• 1 - Gillette Mach 3 Razor and 6 - Replacement Blades
• 1 - Neutrogena Shaving Cream
• 1 - Burt's Bees Hand Salve
• 1 - 50 SPF Sunscreen (To ease my Irish skin through the transition from desk job to desert-living)
• 1 - Grooming Kit with Nail Clippers, Comb, and Beard-Trimming Scissors
• 3 - Dove Soap Bars and 1 - Travel Container
• 3 - Month Supply of Sustenex Probiotics (Worth a shot, other volunteers have had success with this product in warding off parasites)
• 1 - Ear Plugs
• 2 - Travel-Sized Antibacterial Wet Wipes
• 2 - Tooth Brush and 1 - Travel Container
• 1 - Toothpaste
• 2 - Dental Floss
• 2 - Travel-Sized Kleenex
• 2 - Chapstick
• 1 - Vitamins (Partially Used)

Food

• 24 - Cliff Bars (For those who don't know... Best. Energy Bars. Ever.)
• 9 - Packs of Oatmeal
• 10 - Nature's Valley Granola Bars
• 2 - Bags Mixed Dried Fruit

Backpacks

• 1 - Osprey Aether 85 with Air Transporter Bag and Rain Cover
• 1 - Military Duffel Bag
• 1 - Osprey React Small Backpack

Tools

• 1 - Leatherman
• 1 - Gerber Paraframe II Switchblade Knife
• 1 - Eyeglass Repair Kit
• 1 - Mini Maglite LED Flashlight
• 1 - Petzl Tikka XP2 Headlamp
• 1 - Combination Lock
• 1 - Scissors
• 1 - Nylon Rope
• 1 - Caribeener
• 1 - Duct Tape
• 1 - Scotch Tape

Exercise Equipment

• 1 - Set of Resistance Bands
• 1 - Grip Exerciser

Bedding/Shower

• 1 - Thermarest Compression Pillow
• 1 - Packtowel
• 1 - Twin-Size Sheet Set
• 1 - Thermarest Compact Sleeping Pad
• 1 - Travel Sheet
• 1 - Mosquito Net Tent

Office Supplies/ Stationary

• 2 - Moleskine Large/Ruled Notebooks for Journals
• 12 - Pilot G2 0.5 Pens
• 1 - Pocket Reference Guide (Thanks Mike L!)
• 1 - 2010/2011 Planner
• 1 - Expandable File Folder with Loose-Leaf Paper

Electronics

• 1 - Travel Alarm Clock with Thermometer
• 1 - Sunja Solar Battery Recharger
• 12 - AA and 8 - AAA Eneloop Rechargeable Batteries
• 2 - iPods with Pelican Case (I am a heavy user and iPods average about 2 years with me.  I am nearing 2 years on my current one.  Feels a bit ridiculous, but had to get another one just in case.  I need my music!)
• 1 - iPod Battery-Powered Portable Speakers (Altec-Lansing inMotion Compact) (These things are very impressive so far!)
• 1 - iPod Solar Charger (Solio Classic-i)
• 1 - MacBook Pro Computer with Case
• 1 - Apple Travel Adapter and 1 - Standard Travel Adapter
• 1 - Jump Drive
• 1 - iomega eGo Portable 500GB External Hard Drive with Case (I first got a WD Passport Drive, but it corrupted my music and so I called a last-minute audible and returned the WD for the iomega.  Not fun.)
• 1 - Sony Cybershot Digital Camera with 1 - Extra Battery, 1 - Extra Memory Card, and 1 - Otterbox Case
• 1 - Eton Crank-Powered Short-Wave Radio
• 1 - Cheap Timex Expedition Watch with Extra Battery
• 1 - Dry Bag

Miscellaneous

• 1 - Picture Album with Pictures of Family, Friends, and Home Scenery
• 1 - Poster-Sized World Map
• 1 - Mali Travel Guide (Thanks Uncle Robert and Aunt Karen!)
• 1 - Card Deck
• 1 - Harmonica
• 2 - Syracuse Banners
• 2 - Kleen Kanteen Water Bottles
• Several Ziploc Quart and Gallon-Sized Bags
• Assorted Tupperware
• 1 - Cheap, Durable Wallet
• Required Peace Corps Paperwork
• 16 - Passport Photos

Gifts

• 2 - Soccer Balls with Air Pump