Packing List

This is the infamous packing list!

Clothing:
  • Skirts (3 cotton, 2 dressy)
  • Dresses (3 cotton, 1 sweater, 2 dressy) 
  • Shorts (3)
  • Jeans (2)
  • Dress Pants (2)
  • Aladdin Pants (3) (I got addicted to these in Israel and it turns out they are quite popular in Botswana!! Woot woot!!)
  • Yoga Pants (1)
  • Leggings (1)
  • Running Shorts (2)
  • Tank Tops (7)
  • Short-Sleeved Shirts (10)
  • Dress Shirts (2)
  • Long-Sleeved Shirts (2)
  • Sweatshirt (1)
  • Sweatpants (1)
  • North Face Fleece (2)
  • Down Jacket (1) (Note: I had this mailed to me once I got to site because winter in Botswana was out of control cold)
  • Pajamas (2)
  • Underpants (lots)
  • Socks (4)
  • Bras (5)
  • Beanies (2)
  • Hat (1)
  • Scarves (I'm obsessed. Also a habit from Israel - any outfit instantly made more modest!)
  • Jewelry (because I am a product of my hippy mother and love big jewelry)
Shoes:
  • TOMS (2) (My sister sent me a third pair for my first Christmas here, which I've been grateful to have cuz they wear through pretty quickly in the sand, rocks, and thorns around the village.)
  • Rainbows (2) (Mailed to me in my first care package during PST)
  • Moccasins (1)
  • Chacos (2)
  • Dress Flats (2)
  • Merrell Hiking Shoes (1) (Mailed to me because I realized I'd be hiking a lot more than previously expected! Woot woot!)
  • Running Shoes (1)
Toiletries (for PST):
  • Alba Botanica Soft Hold Hair Cream (3)
  • Alba Botanica Sea Moss Moisturizers (2)
  • Alba Botanica Sea Minerals Face Cleanser (2) (I only use cruelty-free products, hence all of the Alba stuff - you vote with your money, right? Note: I have found cruelty-free products in Botswana!)
  • Ahava Body Lotion (1)
  • Shampoo/Conditioner (2)
  • Comb
  • Hair Ties (Also can be used to trade for souvenirs etc at Victoria Falls!)
  • Deodorant
  • Toothbrush/Toothpaste
  • Floss
  • Nail Clippers, File, Fave Nail Polish
  • Tweezers
  • Razor/Razor Blades
  • Q-Tips
  • BC
  • Makeup
Kitchen:
  • 9.5" Non-Stick Pan
  • Kuhn Rikon Non-Stick Knife
  • Sigg Water Bottle
  • Ziplock Bags (I put my necklaces in them etc for traveling and I've appreciated having them here. And, yes, I do reuse my ziplock bags.)
  • Swiss Army Knife (courtesy of my cousin Morgy)
Camping/Home Stuff:
  • Hiking Pack/Day Pack
  • Headlamp and an Extra Set of AAA Batteries
  • Sleeping Bag
  • Sleeping Bag Liner ($15 with my pro discount!)
  • Pillow
  • Small roll of rope
  • Quick Dry Towels (thanks mom!)
Office:
  • 3X5 Cards (for making flashcards during language classes)
  • Journal (I got it from a fair trade store supporting Tibetan refugees! It's gorgeous!)
  • Notebook
  • Pens
  • File Organizers (2) (for all the paperwork I have been/will be collecting)
  • Scissors
  • Duct Tape
  • Passport Photos (for visas and/or IDs)
Electronics:
  • Zune
  • Kindle
  • MacBook
  • External Hard-Drive
  • Camera with Extra SD Cards
Mental Health:
  • Yoga Mat
  • Incense (Nag Champa calms me down and makes any place feel like "home")
  • Friendship bracelet string (SO GLAD I brought this - my host family and the kids in the village have LOVED making bracelets!)
  • Framed Picture of my Family
  • Shutterfly Photobook (with pictures of my life to show folks)
  • Blankie (yes, I am 29 and I still sleep with my baby blanket)
  • Jocko (my dad's childhood stuffed monkey)
  • Pocket-Sized Buddha Statue and Elephant Statue (I've had them for years and they travel with me everywhere. I think they may be lucky.)