Packing PANIC!

Here is my suggested packing list... with commentary. I would appreciate suggestions. I feel like I may be getting in over my head here.

General Clothing

• One set long underwear (will leggings work? what is long underwear? I'm pretty sure this doesn't exist in georgia)

• Lightweight,all-weatherjacket (again, what does this mean? it sounds pretty subjective to me)

• Hooded sweatshirt or fleece

• Knit hat and gloves (I really thought I was going to be near the equator, this is making me nervous)

• Sleeveless dresses and shirts (note that Volunteer teachers cannot wear these in the classroom)

• Swimsuit (one piece); very sturdy (where does one find this in february?)

• Bandannas or handkerchiefs

• Sun hat (baseball cap or straw hat) (can't wait to show up in philly in my straw hat)

• Good-qualityraincoat (like an expensive one, or like the awesome kind firefighters wear?)

• Heavy-duty poncho and quality umbrella (this seems redundant to me)

• Durable, easy-to-washpants (seriously, is this anything but silk pants, aren't all pants easy to wash?)

• Shorts and other clothes like drawstring pajama pants for lounging around (doctor’s scrubs are ideal) (this is totally get)

• Women can and do wear trousers for traveling and in the cities (please define "trouser")

• Cotton slips (waist to knee and waist to ankle) (I just want to know why)

• Men do not need full suit, just a tie and a button-down shirt for special occasions

• Very durable, practical clothes (not nice, dressy clothes)

• Some nicer clothes for in town (dancing, restaurants) (this appears to be contradictory, leading to more confusion)

• Lots of underwear, bras, socks

• Heavy-dutysportsbra (is there a Light-duty sportsbra?)

• Belt

• Money belt (haha!)

• shorts (longer, knee-length shorts for women) for biking

• Sturdy work gloves (if you garden)

Overall advice: do not bring a lot. Just three to four outfits for staging and beginning of training. You can find just about everything in the markets.

Shoes

Durable shoes are an essential investment

• Teva or Chaco sandals

• Sneakers and/or hiking boots (two pairs) (Boots are handy for rainy season) (rainboots?)

• Shoes (close-toed and good to stand in all day; for Volunteer teachers)

• House shoes (slippers); you can get flip-flops in Malawi

• Dress shoes (this is insanely broad)

Kitchen

• Heavy-duty non-stick frying pan (could I check this??)

• Good knives (can't wait to try and take these on the plane)

• Vegetable peeler (could this be used as a weapon?)

• Thermos (does my ninja turtle one count?)

• French press (if you appreciate good coffee)

• Kitchen towels

• Ziplocbags (surplus) (again, very subjective, 20? 200?)

• Plastic containers (e.g., Tupperware)

• Mess kit cooking set

• Set of silverware

• Send foodstuff to yourself before leaving: kool-aid packets, cheese powder packets, power bars, granola bars, soup mixes, gravy mixes, chocolate, etc. (WHAT is a cheese powder pack, and how have I never heard of it?!?!)

Miscellaneous

• Sturdy water bottle (e.g., Nalgene)

• Lightweight, travel, waterproof tent w/ground cloth

• Leatherman/SwissArmyknife

• Compact sleeping bag for cold weather

• Indiglowatch

• Bungee cords or backpack straps

• Chair that folds out into sleeping mat (e.g., Crazy Creek or LL Bean)

• Flashlight or headlamp with extra bulbs

• Short wave radio

• Solar-powered rechargeable batteries with recharger

• Duct tape

• Scissors

• Good envelopes

• Elmer’s glue (I will really need an explanation to justify hauling Elmer's across the globe)

• Good dictionary (English, Chichewa, need more info!)

•U.S. stamps (so you can send letters home with travelers)

•Lonely Planet Guide to Malawi

• Camera(35mmpoint-and-shoot)

•Field guide for flora and fauna of sub-Saharan Africa

•Seeds for herbs and vegetables (am I going to be tackled at customs for this?)

• Battery-powered alarm clock

•Double size, flat sheets and a couple of towels

• Sewing kit

• Sunglasses

•Personal money (you can keep it in the safe at the Peace Corps office) (currency)

•Games (Scrabble, cards, chess, Frisbee, etc.)

•Walkman and variety of tapes (Discman uses much more battery power) (are these seriously still made?)

•Musical instrument (harmonica, guitar, etc.)

• A few novels (to swap after reading)

•Hobby materials like sketching pads and pencils

• Luggage (should be tough, lightweight, lockable, and easy to carry)

• Hiking backpacks without frames are practical