18 1/2 hours. Packing List.

It's now 18 1/2 hours until I leave for staging. Until I leave my home state of Kansas. Went out last night for my last night in town. Two really great friends showed up, which I actually liked better. Because I hate saying goodbyes. I avoid them at all costs, but when you're doing something like this, goodbyes are commonplace. But, I prefer..."See ya soon!" rather than goodbye.

Anywho, these last couple days are pretty much soaking up as much time with friends and family as possible. And eating as much sweet, salty, greasy American food as I can - chocolate, cheese, good beer, desserts, hamburgers - because who knows when I'll get it next.

I'm getting a massage today and dejeuner avec mon frere, son famille et ma mere (having lunch with my brother, his family and my mom).

Packing

My stuff is still scattered all over my room, in organized piles. Piles: Sanity products, toiletries and bathroom, immediate need items, camping gear, blankets and bags, kitchen, miscellaneous.

Doing cool stuff before departure

It's been fun soaking up some things for the last time: Visiting the Keeper of the Plains monument and Vietnam veterans memorial with my mom in Wichita, going out for a last time in Oldtown, Skyping and calling friends, eating at my favorite restaurants - Old Mill, Anchor, The Burger Stand, Johnnys Tavern, any little mexican restaurant, going to my hometown of Augusta for the last time, visiting my childhood home, spending the weekend in Lawrence, talking American politics, feminism, political philosophy, human nature, stirring up old memories from high school, my days at KU, Kansan addie days, campaign days...bitter sweet. 

Anywho, I'm feeling very somber right now, really excited, like it's all a waking dream, still not believing that in two days I will be on my way to AFRICA for 27 months....but I know my heart will grow every second of it.

Below is my packing list. The stuff in ALL CAPS is the stuff recommended by PCVs (Peace Corps volunteers) in Mali now, as the top items to bring. There's some stuff I copied and pasted from other PCVs about the availability of food and the medical kit PC gives us.

Let me know what you think!!! Leave comments and only a day or so left!! Text me, email me, call or Skype me (laura.m.vest = Skype) and let's catch up and say "Ill see ya soon!"

Paix.

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Peace Corps Packing List - Comprehensive
Laura Vest

Home-decor-stuff
--Mirror
--Blue-India-blanket
--pillow case
--pillow
--bed padding
--pictures from home
--tacks or nails
--card and board games (cards, scrabble)
--sleeping bag - lightweight
--(2 sets) Full size, cotton or jersey sheets
--(2) towels
--(2) quik dry towels
--MOSQUITO POPUP BUG HUT w/rain fly (REI 2)/Sansbug
--KU calendar, America calendar
--alarm clock - travel
--covered bucket/bug-proof hamper/clothes bag

Clothes
--(2) leggings
--(2) hoodie
--(1) one-piece, (1) two-piece swimming suit
--(3) long skirts
--(2) capri pants that cover knees when sitting down
-- (1) jeans
--(2) going out tops
--(2) pants (dark colors)
--(2) long sleeved shirts
--(2) pajama pants, comfy, dark
--(5) lightweight shirts
--(1-2) dressy pants (not expensive, dark, good with flats)
--(2-3) dressy shirts (light weight, dark colors, button up, covering)
--(20) underwear
--flip flops
--Tevas
--Running shoes
--Dressy shoes/flats for business attire
--Heels??
--Raincoat
--Rain poncho
--(4) socks (black socks)
--(2) baseball cap, camping Hat
--(2) Sunglasses
--Sunglasses case
--fake wedding ring
--favorite jewelry
--(2-3) bandannas
--watch
--belt
--over the shoulder/under shirt purse (wallet size)
--over the shoulder purse
--(4) regular bras
--(6) sports bras

Traveling items/tools
--Traveling backpack
--field guide of animals and plants in Mali
--Extra mosquito tent
--KNIFE
--GERBER MULTI-TOOL
--Eddie Bauer first aid bottle
--shake flash light
--lantern
--hand-size/portable fan
--(2)HEADLAMP
--(2) NALGENE (wide mouth, splash guard)
--Ziplock bags
--camelback w/brushes to clean
--ID
--(8-15) extra passport photos
--wallet
--1st aid kit

Sanity Items
--Books: Women Who Run with Wolves, Insecure at Last, Grimms Fairy Tales, etc
--Lavender spray or oil
--French/English Dictinary (maybe pocket-sized?)
--Photo album
--Journals (black, white, wonder woman, rainbows)
--engraved metal ship by Devon

Hygeine/Bathroom Items (Three month supply)
--Tampons
--Q-tips
--toilet paper (small kleenex or a few rolls)
--COSCO - Baby wipes
--Spray bottle
--Lotion
--(4) Deodorant
--(2) mascara
--(2) eye liner
--(2) bar soap
--powder
--foundation (darker colors for tanner skin)
--concealer
--eye shadow
--blush
--(6) chap stick
--lip stick
--(1 btl) lavender shampoo
--(1 btl) lavendar conditioner
--(2) lavendar body wash
--(2) face wash
--exfoliating scrub
---razor
--(8) extra razor blades
--(3) toothbrush
--(3) tooth paste
--mouth wash
--dental floss
--hair brush
--bobby pins
--head bands
--nail clippers
--nail polish
--nail polish remover
--Loofah
--(2) face lotion
--tweezers
--perfume
--body powder
--ear plugs
--eyebrow thing
--three months of birth control pills
--witch hazel
--cotton swabs
--(2) small, hand towels

Kitchen supplies
--Can opener
--camping cups
--small skillet
--spatula

Electronics
--LAP TOP
--Charger for computer
--IPOD
--IPOD SPEAKERS
--(2) Plug in for ipod to computer
--Digital camera
--Rechargeable batteries - Nimh (AA, AAA)
--Batter charger - Nimh
--SHORTWAVE RADIO
--EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE(S)
--CD drive
--(2) flash drives
--(2) power converter
--(3) HEADPHONES
--computer case
--ipod case
--camera case
--external hard drive case
--power surge protector
--throwaway phone - unlocked, tri-band, orange compatible, sim card
--phone charger

Workout items
--yoga mat
--Meditation stool (fold up)
--meditation pillows (Get that tiny travel pillow)
--arm weights for running
--exercise bands/ball
--running watch
--workout clothes
---> (2) capri pants
---> (2) basketball shorts
---> (2) workout pants
---> (3) lightweight, quick dry t-shirts or tank tops
---> running shoes
---> head bands
---> hair bands/hair ties
---> (4) sports bras

Food
--Gum
--vitamins
--Granola bars
--instant coffee
--dried fruit
--trail mix
--drink mixes for water/KOOL-AID
--emergen-C
--fruit snacks
--beef jerky
--COOKIES
--chips
--seasonings: garlic powder, curry powder, SALT, pepper, italian seasoning, Cavenders All purpose greek seasoning
--Tabasco
--dry ranch, SEASONING PACKETS
--candy
--ketchup
--mustard

Very available: Onions, garlic, powdered milk, tomato paste, pasta, rice,  sugar, tea, instant coffee, dried fish, sweet potatoes, beans, okra/okra powder, millet, peanuts, corn, local leaves for sauces, hot pepper

Somewhat available: Eggs, bread, tomatoes, flour, Coca-Cola, peanut butter, fresh milk, bananas, oil for frying

Only in bigger cities:  butter, pasteurized milk, cans of tuna (all expensive), olive oil,basil, Nutella, popcorn, hot sauce, canned veggies,  potatoes, Pringles, Snickers, cold sodas, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, vache-qui-rit “cheese” which requires no refrigeration

Not available/Things we miss: Real cheese, Strawberries, Raspberries, Blueberries, Good apples, Chocolate chips, American bacon (though there are Christians that eat pork here and there), some spices (Oregano, Curry, Cinnamon, Paprika), Tortilla chips/most chips, American Junk food, granola bars, sliced bread, American condiments (Ranch, honey mustard, etc), Cereal & cold milk, a personal refrigerator

Seasonal Fruits and Veggies are available depending on region (in Sikasso we get a lot more than other regions) : Lettuce, green peppers, squash, oranges, guava, watermelon, green beans, zucchini, eggplant, mangos, papaya, carrots, hibiscus, avocado.

Supplies for work/”school supplies”
--notebooks
--envelopes
--planner
--pens
--leather notebook thing
--stamps
--notecards
--small iron (?)

Medicine
--GIVEN BY PC: tylenol, ibprofen, antacid, cough suppressant, antihistamine, bug repellant, mosquito net etc. on about day 2-3 after arriving in country. So bring enough for the first few days when things are still a bit overwhelming.

MISC
--Pics & maps of USA and Kansas
--Gifts for host family --> tea, cookies, maps, post cards, etc
--pepper spray
--safety pins
--duct tape
--Rope/Hemp string
--disinfectant wipes/all-purpose cleaner wipes (to wipe off dust)
--world map poster
--required peace corps paperwork
--IMMUNIZATION HISTORY
--STAGING PAPERS
--Something KU-y
--gloves
--hand sanitizer
--umbrella
--1st Aid Book
--cushion for bike seat

Not essential/Can get sent to me
--candles
--KITCHEN STUFF - pan, knife
--bug spray
--adhesive bug strips
--Portable Solar Charger (IceTech i9005 Solar Charger, Solio)
--padlock
--safe
--bronzer
--pumice
--calculator
--scissors
--briefcase
--Needle and thread
--frisbee

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never doubt that a small group of thoughtful and committed people can change the world, indeed it is the only thing that ever has.