Packing List

I'm a chronic over-packer (thanks mom!) and slightly obsessive over lists and organization (thanks dad!) so this task has been my first serious Peace Corps challenge. I've been accumulating things to take with me to Swaziland since I accepted my invitation in December, and although I don't leave for two months, I only have a handful of items left to pick up. Most of what I've purchased for the trip is more modest clothing (I'll be wearing knee-length or longer skirts and dresses almost every day) and some "camping" gear like a solar shower, headlamp, solar charger for my USB devices, and a backpacking bag. Realizing I have all this stuff, I figured it might be a good idea to compare the packing list PC sent me and some other real-life volunteer packing lists I've found online to my stash of things I plan on bringing. I drug everything out of the bags in my closet and laid it all out, and also attempted to stuff it all in the suitcases I plan on bringing. Here is the result:

I've come to the conclusion that I need to buy more Space Saver bags and pretty much NOTHING else (it's not my fault there's so many cute maxi skirts in stores right now!). I've included my packing list below as a resource for future PCVs, and I'll update it if/when it changes when I actually pack at the end of June. Wish me luck on all this stuff weighing less than 100lbs!

Large Rolling Suitcase
TSA-approved luggage lock!
6 Space Saver bags (fill them up, zip shut, roll all the air out-no vacuum needed!)

Everyday t-shirts (7)

Blouses (7)

Tank Tops (5)

Skirts (7)

Dresses (2)

Below-the-knee cargo/work shorts-also good for travel (3)

Jeans (2)

Sweatshirts (1 crew, 1 hoodie)

Sleep t-shirts (3)

Sleep pants (2)

Yoga pants (2)

Leggings (2)

Work out clothes (3 pairs basketball shorts, 3 sweat-wicking athletic tops)

Socks (10 pairs)

Bras (4 regular, 6 sport)

Underwear (15)

Spandex shorts for under skirts (2)

Slip (1)

Clothes for travel/ Going out/Comforts from home (1 skirt, 1 embellished tank top, 1 shirt with lace, Seahawks jersey, two pairs of above-the-knee shorts)

One piece swimsuit

Books (as many as I can fit, hopefully 5+) and extra journals 

Small blanket and pillow in Space Saver bag

Can opener

Vegetable peeler

Set of 3 knives with covers

Scissors

Pocket knife

Toiletries Bag:

Tweezers 

Mini bottles of shampoo and conditioner, and body wash

Body poof

Razor and refills

Deodorant

Mini bottles of ace wash, toner, and moisturizer

Small Tupperware container of coconut oil

Sunscreen

Lotion

Qtips and cotton balls

Nail polish, nail kit, and acetone

Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash

Contacts and two pairs of glasses

Makeup (concealer, eyeliner, mascara)

Hair brush, hair ties, and bobby pins

Tampons

Mini purse-packs of Kleenex (SO handy for when there’s no TP available!)

Hand sanitizer

50 Liter Osprey Backpack
I'll be packing this backpack and then putting it inside a cheap duffel bag in order to prevent any disasters with the straps on conveyor belts at the airport. Also, the duffle bag has a zipper (the backpack doesn't on the main compartment) so I can use a luggage lock.

World map

Photos ( with twine and clothespins for hanging)

Office supplies (pens, pencils, highlighter, folders, tape, envelopes)

Crafty things (embroidery thread for friendship bracelets, crayons, markers)

Games (Phase 10, regular cards)

Duct tape

Strong twine

Candles and lighters

Alarm clock/radio

Headlamp

Solar shower

Towel

Nalgene bottle

Wine opener

Sleeping bag (I found a very affordable one on Amazon that is rated down to 45 degrees-which is all you really need most of the time in Swaziland- and packs up into the size of a football!)

Hydrocortisone, Ibuprofen, Band aids

Spices, Emergen-C, and Starbucks Via packets

Northface rain jacket

Accessories: 2 bandanas, 2 belts, A few pairs of earrings and a couple necklaces, a sports watch, two pairs of sunglasses

Sewing kit

Batteries

Carry On-Sized Duffel Bag
DSLR camera, extra memory cards
Portable speakers
2TB hard drive
Flash drives (2)
Wall chargers for all my devices
Solar charger
3 month supply of prescriptions
Changes of clothes for PC Staging and Travel days: This is important, so I never have to get into my big checked bags for any reason until I arrive in Swaziland! (These will be clothes already included in the list above, not extras!)

All my shoes: Chacos, Birkenstocks, Nikes, Dressy sandals, Dressy closed-toe flats, Shower flip flops

Non-melting candy/snacks for travel and training

Another Nalgene water bottle

Travel towel

Hand mirror

Messenger Bag/"Personal Item"

Passport, Yellow immunization card, Drivers license, Debit card
Tablet
Unlocked iPhone
Headphones
Point-and-shoot camera
Book, journal, pens
Over-the-counter sleeping pills and ibuprofen
Ear plugs
Carry-on toiletry bag (toothbrush, toothpaste, hair brush, shampoo/conditioner, body wash, kleenex, makeup remover wipes, moisturizer, hand sanitizer, etc)