The Evolving Packing List

Ok, so far this is my packing list for Guinea, Africa. I based this off of probably 5 - 10 different lists I found through Google. I don't know if I will buy everything, but it's easier for me to decide what not to take on a list than to remember something I need that I never wrote down; I don't trust my short-term memory. Please, please, please give any suggestions. I have plenty of time to adjust this since we have just been delayed 6 weeks due to politcal unrest.

Clothes

·         2 pairs of nice shoes

·         2 pair Chacos  Sandals

·         1 pair running shoes

·         1 pair Merrell trail runners

·         2 swimsuits

·         3-5 bandanas

·         Hats

·         1 sweater, medium jacket

·         3 pair light pants

·         1 pair long shorts

·         Light, long Pj Pants

·         1 pair of jeans

·         2 or 3 casual long skirts

·         2 or 3 long casual dresses

·         3 nice outfits

·         5 pair socks

·         16-20 pair underwear

·         5 bras/4 sports bras

·         Rain jacket/light weight

·         2-4 cotton shirts

·         2-3 tank tops

·         2-3 short sleeve button down, polos

·         1 long sleeve button down

·         1 pair old navy flip flops

Kitchen

·         Small frying pan

·         Nesting pots

·         Nesting Tupperware

·         Plastic spatula

·         Can opener

·         Ziploc plastic baggies – some big, some small, reusable ones

·         Sharp kitchen knives – chef’s and paring

·         Vegetable peeler

·         3 garbage bags

Food

·         Parmesan cheese

·         Ranch packets

·         Spice packets

·         Dill

·         Nutmeg, oregano, coriander

·         Tea

·         Snack bars (cereal, nutrition, energy, etc.)

·         Trail mix/dried fruit

·         Favorite sugary snack that doesn’t melt – gum

·         Powdered drink mixes

·         Good source of protein – beef jerky, tuna, tofu

·         Mac and cheese – boxed

·         Cranberry pills

Personal Hygiene

·         Shampoo Bar + Leave In Conditioner

·         Soap bar – face and body

·         St. Ive’s Apricot Scrub

·         Face moisturizers

·         Loofa

·         Lotion

·         Lip Balm

·         Cortizone cream

·         Caladryl

·         Deodorant

·         Tweezers

·         Nail Polish and remover; nail clippers and file

·         Pummel stone

·         A Little Makeup

·         Small shaving cream

·         Antimicrobial soap

·         Hair ties, head bands, bobby pins

·         Small Bottles of Hand Sanitizer

·         Echinacea

·         Pepto-Bismol tablets

·         Multivitamins

·         Sunscreen

·         2 pair glasses

·         2 pair sunglasses – 1 pair prescription, 1 not

·         1 pair hair cutting scissors

·         Razors

·         Hairbrush/comb

·         Toothbrushes 2-4, Toothpaste, floss, mouthwash

·         Mosquito Repellent

·         3-6 months prescription drugs

Gear

·         Large Pack – Gregory Jade 50

·         Messenger Bag – Timbuk2 Freestyle

·         Day Pack

·         North Face Sleeping Bag

·         CoolMax Travel Sheet

·         Pack Towel – XL and hand towel sizes

·         Pillow from home

·         Hammock with mosquito net

·         Sleeping Pad – Therm-a-Rest

·         Sleeping Pad Stuff Sack

·         Pad Repair Kit

·         Leatherman Wave

·         Travel Mosquito Net

·         Tent – REI Bug Hut 2

·         2 Headlamps – extra bulbs and batteries

·         2 Small Flashlights - Maglite LED

·         2 strong Nalgene 1L water bottles

·         Eyeglass repair kit; cloth and cleaner for glasses

·         Travel wallet

·         Sheets

·         4 bungee cords

·         Compass

·         Lighter/matches

·         Rope

·         Carabineers – 2

·         Stone to sharpen knives

·         Bike Helmet

·         2 combination locks

·         Dry Bag

Electronics

·         1 watch and extra battery

·         Goal Zero Solar Panel, Battery Charger, Power Inverter

·         Power Converter

·         Battery Charger

·         8 AA rechargeable & 4 AAA rechargeable batteries

·         Shortwave Radio – CC SW Pocket Radio

·         Camera – Panasonic Lumix/memory cards

·         IPod & headphones + case + arm band

·         Laptop+ case + keyboard and screen covers + Laptop cooler

·         Voice recorder

Work Related/Personal

·         $250 Traveler’s Checks

·         Copies of Passport & credit card

·         Accordion Style Folder

·         1 pair scissors

·         2 journals

·         1 address book

·         Moleskin Planner              

·         Calendar for wall

·         2 Photo Albums (1 personal and 1 public)

·         2 pocket notebooks

·         Post-it notes

·         Pens, pencils, paper clips, small stapler

·         Pencil case

·         French technical dictionary

·         Solar Calculator

·         Stationary/stamps/envelopes

Miscellaneous

·         Frisbee

·         Uno

·         2 packs Playing Cards

·         Deflated soccer ball and needle      

·         Ear plugs

·         Mini pack of Kleenex

·         West African Bird Guide & binoculars

·         Star Chart

·         Map of Guinea

·         Map of the World

·         Book for African Wildlife

·         DVD TV Series – arrested development

·         Stickers

·         Duct tape

·         Scotch tape

·         Sewing kit

·         Index cards

·         Plastic document/file folders – for pictures in home

·         Art Supplies – coloring books, markers, colored pencils, construction paper

·         Something that makes me happy

·         Something that reminds me of home

·         International Phone Card

Gift for Host Family

·         Burt’s Hand Salve

·         Stickers

·         Balloons

·         Something representing Texas or Texas A&M

Some Facts About Guinea ---> Thanks Heather!

Guinea, West Africa

In 1958, Guinea was the first colony in Africa to gain its independence from France through an effort led by the country’s first president, Sekou Touré.

Guinea is ~94,891 sq mi, which is about the size of Oregon. It is divided into 4 main regions: Basse Côte (Lower Guinea-lowlands), Moyenne Guinée(Middle Guinea), Haute Guinée (Upper Guinea-savannah), and the Forest/Jungle region.

The Atlantic coastline includes 218 miles of mangroves and beautiful beaches.

Bordered by Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, Mali, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Cote d'Ivoire.

Population: about 10.5 million and is growing at an annual rate of 2.8%.

Guinea contains approx. 24 different ethnic groups. The most prominent being Peul, Malinke and Sousou.

45% of Guineans are under the age of 15. Life expectancy is 50 years, and  child (under 5 years of age) mortality is 90 per 1,000 live births.

Literacy is at about 29.5%.

Guinea is described as “the water tower of West Africa,” and has considerable potential to generate hydroelectric power for industry and provide irrigation for agriculture.

Guinea is the starting point of the Gambia, Senegal and Niger Rivers, among others.

Climate is tropical with average high of 85 and average low of 74 (but in Haute near the savannah it is said to get up to over 100), rainy season lasts from June to November, Dry season is December to May.

Most of the population is Muslim, but there are also some Christians as well some traditional animists.

The official language is French, but local dialects are also spoken (which I will also have to learn, based on where my site will be).

Guinea possesses between one-fourth and one-third of the world’s known bauxite reserves and is the worlds #1 exporter of bauxite. Other leading crop exports are: coffee, banana, palm kernels, and pineapple.

Guinea held its 1^st democratic election THIS year on November 7^th, 2010.

I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane

On December 1, 2010 I will be leaving for Philadelphia to begin orientation for the Peace Corps. This is just a short post with my itinerary for the trip to Guinea. I'll be posting something "real" soon, I promise.

Wednesday December 1, 2010
9:45 am Leave Midland
11:15 am Arrive in DFW
1:00 pm Leave DFW
5:15 pm Arrive in Philadelphia

Thursday December 2, 2010
12:00 - 2:00 pm Registration
2:00 - 4:25 Who We Are & What's Expected of You
4:25 - 4:45 Break
4:45 - 7:00 What You Expect, What's Next, Closing

Friday December 3, 2010
6:00 am Check out of hotel
6:30 am Bus arrives for loading and departure for clinic
8:00 am Clinic appointment
10:00 am Load buses and depart to New York JFK Airport
6:05 pm Flight depart for Guinea

Saturday December 4, 2010
7:40 am Arrive in Brussels
11:20 am Leave Brussels
7:00 pm Arrive in Conakry, Guinea