A (Rookie’s) Packing List for Ethiopia

Many of you are curious as to what I'm taking with me, so I made up a list. Naturally, it is probably way too much stuff and I already have an urge to dump at least 5 lbs of it. I'm right at the baggage limit of 80 lbs and my bags are also at their limit, which is already making re-packing a pain. Just to give you a little insight on the dress code, women are not to expose their shoulder or knees. Skin-tight or revealing clothing is looked down upon also. Maybe it is all this extra clothing material that is taking up so much room in my luggage. Anywho, here  is a list of the things I packed. After living there for awhile I'll update it and let you know what was useful or not. 

The Chaotic Mess Before

Accessories

·         Pillow

·         2 pillow cases

·         Lap top cover

·         Duct tape

·         Sewing kit

·         Microfiber towel

·         Small mirror

·         Sleeping bag and liner

·         Mattress pad                                                                                                      

·         Accordion style folder for Peace Corps papers

·         Ear plugs

·         Sunglasses

·         Bike lock

·         Money Belt

·         2 water bottles (1 Nalgene/1 Klean Kanteen)

·         Fly swatter (hey, why not?!)

·         Index cards

Electronics/Gear

·         Swiss Army Pocket knife

·         Petzl head lamp

·         LED Flashlight and bulb

·         Batteries

·         Short-wave radio

·         Outlet converter

·         Travel alarm clock

·         Asus Eeepc Netbook with external CD drive

·         8 GB flash drive

·         2 watches (old and cheap new one)

·         iPod and iShuffle

·         Travel speakers for my iPod

·         Calculator

·         DVDs

·         Digital Camera

Clothes/Shoes

·         Underwear (10)

·         Socks (10 regular, 2 thick hiking socks)

·         Bandanas

·         Long underwear

·         2 hats

·         Rain jacket

·         Running shoes

·         1 pair dress shoes

·         Hiking shoes

·         Chacos

·         1 pair flip-flops

·         1 dress

·         1 light fleece sweatshirt

·         1 light fleece zip-up jacket (Northface)

·         1 down vest

·         3 tank tops/undershirts

·         5 regular, everyday shirts

·         2 ¾ sleeve shirts

·         2 dressy shirts

·         2 button-up shirts

·         2 cardigans

·         4 sport bras

·         2 regular bras

·         3 long skirts

·         3 pairs of khakis

·         2 pair jeans

·         1 pair lightweight, travel pants that can zip off into capris

·         Running capris (loose fit)/running shorts

·         Swimsuit

·         Board shorts

·         Pajama pants and shorts

·         Slips (yes, slips)

Body Care

·         Razors plus blades

·         Shaving cream

·         Hairbrush

·         Deodorant

·         Pumice stone

·         Q-tips

·         Cotton pads

·         Soap and soap container

·         Multivitamins and omega-3 supplements

·         Bug repellent

·         Wash clothes (3)

·         Tampons w/o applicator

·         Face lotion with 70+ SPF

·         Sunscreen!!!

·         Body lotion with Aloe

·         Nail clippers

·         Tweezers

·         Travel size shampoo and conditioner

·         Hair accessories (ties, bobby pins, headbands)

·         Minimal makeup

·         Toothbrushes (3)

·         Toothpaste

·         Facial Cleanser

·         Hand sanitizer (large and travel size bottle)

·         5 packs of travel tissues

Kitchen Stuff/Food

·         Ziploc bags

·         Measuring cups and spoons

·         Can opener

·         Scissors

·         Dish towels

·         Crystal light/Gatorade drink mixes

·         Nonstick frying pan

·         Spatula

·         Spoon

·         Plastic Tupperware

·         Small butcher knife

Hobbies/Misc.

·         Stationery

·         Photo album of me, family, friends

·         Sharpies

·         Pack of pens

·         Art stuff (markers, colored pencils, watercolor, drawing pads)

·         3 journals

·         US map, GA map, World map

·         Addresses

·         US stamps

·         Books

·         Passport photos (15)

·         2 decks of playing cards

·         Lonely Planet Ethiopia (& Eritrea) Travel Guide

·         Lonely Planet Amharic Phrase Book

·         $200 in traveler’s checks

Gifts

·         Deflated soccer ball plus needles

·         Candy

·         Candle

·         Luggage


(The Chaotic Mess After)

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