Packing List

Tuesday. D-day. I've spent the last week completing all the necessary last steps one does before leaving the country for 2 years. I've spent hours, maybe even days, scouring the internet to glean what useful items a Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV) might stuff into their duffel bag for a 27-month expedition into the unknown. I can't say I've found the secret, but here's what I decided to take with me for the journey:

Before

Bags:

1 - REI XL Duffel bag

1 - REI backpack

1 - Air Force backpack (special thanks to Andy Yount)

1 - Guitar case + guitar

Clothes:

5 - pants; 3 jeans, 2 khakis

2 - shorts; 1 athletic, 1 cargo

1 - sports jacket

1 - tie

1 - dress shirt

7 - business casual shirts; 3 polo, 4 button-down

14 - underwear

6 - pair socks; 4 REI everyday, 2 ankle

2 - brown belts

2 - light jackets

1 - hooded rain jacket (Seattle-boy had to buy one of these, because it doesn't rain that much/hard here).

Shoes:

1 - Brown dress shoes

1 - Merrell Intercepts - gore-tex hiking shoes

1 - Merrell Galiens - covered sandal

1 - Flip-flops

Miscellaneous:

1 - jungle knife (special thanks to Tim Walker)

1 - pocket knife

1 - clipboard (recommended by John Foss)

1 - 4x6 picture frame with photos
1 - calligraphy pen w/ nibs
1 - stack calligraphy paper

1 - travel sewing kit (special thanks to Kristen Strutner)

1 - passport holder/neckpouch
4 - extra passport photos (I remember reading this was a good idea)

1 - Rick Steves quick-dry towel

1 - Rick Steves silk sleep sack (special thanks to Grandma & Grandpa)

1 - 50ft parachute cord

1 - pair leather work gloves

1 - pair sunglasses

1 - travel coffee filter

1 - small plastic cup (for coffee)

40 - plastic bags, 20 quart, 20 gallon

4 - packs TSP spices; cinnamon, thyme, ginger, chili powder

1 - bottle REI deet bug spray

1 - bottle body wash

2 - sticks deodorant

3 - disposable razors

2 - sticks Burt's Bees

1 - small jar of Nutella + plastic spoon (this goes in the emergency kit)
1 - sport kite

Bandit wanted to come, but he took up too much room.

Electronics:

1 - Laptop + charger

1 - External HD

1 - iPod + headphones

1 - Travel alarm clock

1 - Red Cross solar/crank-powered AM/FM radio/flashlight/USB charger

1 - Free Red Cross emergency flashlight

1 - point-and-shoot digital camera + mini-tripod

1 - large zoom camera

1 - cell phone (unlocked) + charger

1 - set small speakers (why not?)

1 - surge protector

1 - 3-prong adapter

1 - financial calculator (I can still be a nerd, even in Honduras)

Literature:

The Bible (I plan on finding one in Spanish)

Mini Spanish-English Dictionary
Peace Corps Volunteer Handbook

Unofficial Peace Corps Volunteer Handbook

Honduras travel guide, Lonely Planet

"Building Social Business" by Muhammad Yunus

"Photographer's Guide to Yosemite" by Michael Frye

"The Age of the Economist" by Daniel Fusfeld

"The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

"Open Veins of Latin America: five centuries of the pillage of a continent" by Eduardo Galeano

"The End of Poverty" by Jeffrey Sachs (special thanks to Teresa Loucks)

2 latest issues of The Economist + subscriptions mailed weekly to Honduras

After

I realized packing everything is as much an emotional process as a physical one. But finally, all that I'll be taking with me for two years is right there. It's been a long time coming, but tomorrow I walk out the door and set foot into my next adventure. I appreciate everyone's prayers throughout this process. It's such an amazing and humbling feeling to know that people all over the continent have been praying for me. Keep 'em comin'! And I will let everyone know when I make it safely to Honduras.

And if anyone wants to mail me anything, I've posted my address in the right column. And here are some recommendation regarding mail straight from the Peace Corps handbook:

Do not have money or other valuable items sent to you through the mail. Electrical appliances cannot be sent through the mail, as they are prohibited items and could be subject to a custom fine. Letters and packages are sometimes opened by postal workers, and valuable items occasionally disappear. In addition, the process of retrieving a package at the post office can be time consuming, and customs duties may exceed the value of the items sent. If you must have packages sent; we recommend padded envelopes. (I've also heard that drawing crosses and writing 'Jesus te ama' will deter theft).