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)

Final Preparations...

So I am sitting at my aunt's house in Boone, NC trying to relax and let everything sink in. I sold my last piece of furniture on Thursday, my last day of work was Friday, I sold my car on Friday, and moved out of my apartment on Sunday.

The past 6 weeks have just been a blur since I officially found out I was going to Mali. Between finishing up at McGill Associates, catching up with friends and family one last time, buying gear and packing for Mali, selling and donating much of what I owned, closing out finances, learning French through Rosetta Stone, and tying up other loose ends for the Peace Corps... it's just been exhausting, but not in a bad way.

At this point, I feel relatively well-prepared for my service half-way across the world. I have a few more financial obligations to fulfill, including paying off my student loans with the money from selling my car (very excited about this one!), but otherwise I should have the next few days to simply relax. The only thing I regret is not obtaining a regular passport, but at least my no-fee passport from the Peace Corps will be good for traveling up to 3 months past service. I think my family would appreciate me coming home at that point, anyways.

I have already packed my bags for Mali, but am right at the weight limit. I am going to try to downsize my gear to give myself a little more leeway and make traveling around the country a little less awkward.

So the next few days will be spent with family and enjoying my final few days in the states. I expect to eat well, enjoy some final hiking in the beautiful mountains here in WNC, and just get my mind right for the big adventure. I will have my cell phone until Friday night, at which point I will dismantle it and throw it away at JFK Airport, symbolizing the shift away from the conveniences of the Western World.

At this point, I can only guess what my emotions will be, and how my experiences will go from that point on. I know my service in Mali will be challenging, fascinating, grueling, exhilarating, and everything in between... but right now I think I can rest assured, knowing I have prepared myself well.

Peace Corps Application/Departure Process Timeline (Updated)

07/23/09 - Attended Peace Corps Information Session in Asheville.

08/12/09 - Application submitted.

09/04/09 - Final Letter of Recommendation received by Peace Corps.

09/15/09 - Phone call from recruiter.

09/23/09 - Interview at Appalachian State with recruiter, during which I was informed of her intent to nominate.

09/23/09 - Submitted fingerprints for legal background check.

09/29/09 - Officially nominated for a math teaching assignment in 'non-french speaking Africa' for July or September departure. (During interview, the recruiter told me the nomination would be for July, but when she went to put it in the system, the program was full, and the nomination became September.  However, when I asked whether a July deployment was still possible, she added a note into the system stating I would accept July.  Future correspondence from the PC has all noted a July or September deployment.)

10/21/09 - Submitted medical/dental evaluation forms.

11/03/09 - Peace Corps receives medical/dental evaluation forms.

12/04/09 - Medical/dental clearance received.

12/12/09 - Legal clearance received.

12/26/09 - Provided notification of PE certification (!) to Peace Corps.

02/17/10 - Received 'February Check-in" email from PC describing placement process.

05/07/10 - Received email from PC Placement Office requesting updated resume.  "Once I have received your resume, your file will be passed on to the Education Desk Placement and Assessment Specialist for further review."

The Home Stretch!

Well time has been flying by ever since accepting my Peace Corps invitation. I feel like I have two full-time jobs right now, my job as a civil engineer in Asheville and my preparation for service in Mali. Seems everyday, there is an essay to write, forms to fill out, a language to learn, belongings to sell, finances to square away, and/or items to buy. It's a mad-dash to the finish-line right now, but the excitement continues to build.

I just got back from a week-long vacation with my sister in Alaska. It was an amazing time, and a great distraction from the hectic pace that is life on the home-front right now. As of now, this was by far the furthest trip I have ever taken (previous was Denver), but of course that is all about to change. We spent our time in the Alaskan wilderness; hiking around Anchorage, sea kayaking in Seward, and, of course, a four-day backpacking trip in the backcountry of Denali National Park and Preserve. Although the weather was less than ideal, in the end we came away with an amazing experience filled with both challenging and rewarding moments and indescribable views. And I survived my own recklessness when I purposely stood less than 20 feet away from a 1,400-pound bull moose, so there's that...

Yup, that's me this guy is sizing up!

For me, Denali was definitely the highlight. I love just about any outdoor excursion, and personally, although sightseeing is certainly enjoyable, nothing beats actually getting your hands dirty and experiencing a place first-hand. Kinda goes along the same lines of my Peace Corps decision... why just visit a region as a tourist when you can actually live the culture and help to make a difference there as well?

My sister and I backpacking through Denali.

A view of mountains and bog from Day 2.