The Thousand-Dollar Question: Packing
Packing. Our Facebook page is FULL of talk of packing - debates about the merits of various solar chargers, tips on PCV discounts, and lists on lists on lists. We're excited, we're nervous, and all we can really do at this stage is think about packing! Oh, and learn French, of course.
It's expensive to prepare for the Peace Corps, especially when your current wardrobe is suited to Vermont fall and winter. Hence, the thousand-dollar question. Though it is more expensive, it's much easier to pack for Togo than it was for Russia - no heavy sweaters, winter parkas or snow boots.
I packed the basics into my duffel bag and weighed it, just to get an idea of how much space I had. Boy, did I ever have more space to work with. Room for ALL of the luxuries - a book of NY Times crosswords, a hand-held hoe, no less than five Russian novels, yoga mat... And no worries about fitting a soccer ball in. Peace Corps allows me to check up to two bags, plus a carry-on, but I'm keeping it to the big duffel and my 40-liter backpack as a carry-on. a) I have to lug it all around, and a 50-lb duffel and 35-lb pack are plenty, thank you very much. b) I'm excited to lead a more simple life, to explore what I really need and what luxuries I truly appreciate. Sure, I could bring more clothing that I wouldn't actually need, books (OK, fine I would totally bring more books). But anything I REALLY need, I am bringing (think prescription sunglasses) or I can find there!
I've done a good bit of planning for packing this week - I still have some items to purchase, after all. And who am I kidding - I've never been the type to pack the night before. My final orders (extra camera batteries, another pair of Chaco's) won't arrive until next Friday, though, so the actual packing won't happen until next weekend. I'll do a post later on everything I've crammed into the pack and duffel - just so you can appreciate my packing prowess.
