Of course before my mom came I sent her a list of items that I didn’t entirely need but definitely would not mind to have. Although I love most each and every day here, I found myself adding to the list of ‘pretty pretty please bring to me when you come’ that I sent my mom more often than not. It started out with just a few things, and I was going to send her the list when I thought of a few more things, so I held off sending it, and then of course more things I wanted came to mind. We began to halfway joke but then it turned out that it would probably be serious that 35 pounds of her suitcase would me for me and 15 pounds for hers. (She actually ended up bringing an entire duffel bag just with stuff-mostly food- for me that my amazing family members and friends had gathered to send) Needless to say going back she had one, lightweight bag which made her trip a whole lot easily. Part of the list were things from the house that I wish I had here- a fun dress, my pencil collection as prizes for the kids, some more underwear (washing on a rock wears down underwear faster than I could ever imagine!). Part of the list were practical things I have a hard time finding here- laminating paper to protect my pictures from the mold and humidity, baking soda, or face sunscreen. However, I am not going to lie most of the things on the list are because I simply have not had them in a while and am having some cravings- good cheese, oh good cheese how I miss you, Starburst jelly beans (yay Easter candy!), a variety of teas, Dove chocolates (with the inspirational sayings of course) and more.
As I was sending the list to my mom, it made me think of packing my bag before coming to Panama. I had not a clue what to bring and found myself searching every Peace Corps Volunteer in Panama’s blog for suggested packing list and things they wish they had brought. I remember the turmoil of the couple week before leaving for Panama- I need to buy this and this and this. Will I actually need this? Is this worth all the money right now? Have I packed too much? How many nice clothes, how many work clothes, which shoes? Solar panel or no? Electronics? Does my suitcase weigh too much now? Will this actually be easy to find there like the blogs said it would? Will we actually get free sunscreen and bug spray? Will my skin be too sensitive for it? Whew- you think that is a lot, those were only the beginning of my questions!
I remember how stressful that time before departing for was, maybe it was just me because I am such a bad packer, but if so, this is for all of you bad packers out there so I can (hopefully) make your life before Peace Corps a little more enjoyable. A list of what I brought to Panama, with comments on what I should I brought, should not have brought, and everything in between. Hopefully one or two of you will find this somewhat helpful! By the way- the above picture is all the clothes I brought to Panama for my two year journey! Every single article fit in this bag and it has been more than enough clothes for me throughout my time here!
TOPS
3 Dry fit shirts
5ish niceish shirts
2 Nice Sleeveless Shirts
2 Tank Tops
It has been nice to have a mix of shirts- nice, chill, cozy, sleeveless!
1 Dress- I brought a dry fit dress and it is wonderful! I wish I would have brought a fun dress that could be used for days in the city, trips with your friends, or office days as well.
BOTTOMS
2 hiking/dry fit- I wish I had brought another pair of hiking pants that roll into capris instead of a pair that is just hiking capris. Pants are extremely helpful with the bugs and can be more diverse than a pair of capris.
Nice black capris I probably could have gotten away with not bringing the pair of nice black capris, but I enjoy having another pair of pants every once in a while.
1 pair jeans- Jeans and the nicer looking hiking pants can be considered professional wear for office days!
2 pairs running shorts- Always nice for sleeping, trips, etc.
1 pair leggings- Great for yoga, chilly nights, lazy days!
3 skirts (two to the knees and one long- If you like skirts they were great because they are cool in the hot days, but definitely make sure they are almost to the knees!
MISCELLANEOUS CLOTHING
Rain Jacket- the rain jacket has come in handy once or twice; however, it is usually extremely hot when it is raining so an umbrella is sufficient.
12 pair of underwear- Bring more underwear!! Or really good quality underwear.
4 sports bras
2 Regular bras- one black, one nude
8 pair of socks- The same with socks. I have lost half of them and the other half has holes in them. If you will be working with boots while you are here bring good, tall socks because they are hard to come by!
1 swimsuit
SHOES
Tennis shoes- I chose to bring a pair of trail running tennis shoes so they couple double as hiking and running shoes and they have served me well! Go Asics!
Chaco’s- The Chaco’s would have been great if you are a Chaco fan. If you are not, like I found out I was not, just bring some kind of shoe that can get wet and you feel comfortable walking long distances.
Nicer brown sandals- The extra pair of brown sandals were great when my Chaco’s broke; however, I probably would have traded them to bring a niceish sandal and a bathing sandal (like Old Navy flipflops).
Black flats- these have been great to have for office days or dressing up to going out!
TOILITRIES
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Toothbrush cover- Important because you will be traveling a lot!
Deodorant
Shampoo and Conditioner- I brought full bottles which I was very glad I did because the selection is very limited here and also much more expensive.
Soap
Fufa- Great to have!
Brush and comb
Face wipes- Very nice for the hot days when I wanted a quick and easy way to clean my face
Chapstick
Face and body lotion- Also very expensive and a limited selection here so I was glad I brought full bottles.
Retainer
Face sunscreen- I have very sensitive skin and the sunscreen they give out it not for sensitive skin so this has been helpful.
Hair accessories
Lunnette cup (like the Diva cup)- AMAZING. GET ONE KNOW. I bought one after reading someone’s blog and can know attest to the amazingness of them. They make life so much easier and hey, they are way more environmentally friendly!
Tampons and pads- Even though I brought the Lunette cup I brought a few just in case, these are also expensive here.
Afterthoughts- I was happy with all of the toiletries I brought. They basic stuff you can definitely find in any store but the shampoo, conditioner, lotions, and specific beauty products are hard to find and much more expensive so bring a good supply of your favorite products!
PRETTIFIED THINGS
Mascara- I do not wear much makeup in America and this is the only makeup I brought here. I wore it one time for the swear in ceremony and once to a dance when I lived with my host family near the city and so far that has been all. However, if you are a makeup person there are definitely opportunities to wear it.
Nail clippers- Wonderful! Also, easy to find and cheap here.
Hair scissor- Considering I already lost them I could have done without these. Haircuts are much cheaper here and much less frequent.
2 Razors- Easy to find and cheap, I could have done with one.
Q-tips- Just a few to get me started, as well cheap and easy to find.
ELECTRONICS
Tablet (with a keyboard)- Peace Corps says you ‘don’t really need a computer’ but I am pretty sure everyone that brought them are more than happy to have them. It is extremely helpful for the limited amount of internet time you will have. Computer, tablets, whichever just make sure it has a USB drive!
Samsung Galaxy phone- I was so glad I had a smartphone to bring! I unlocked it before I got here and it has been great to use as I pass through various internet cafes and so much more easier than pulling out my tablet. Definitely not a necessity and many people survive without one, and I am sure mine will die soon but if you have one it is helpful! They also sell smartphones here at a pretty decent price, especially in comparison with the States.
Camera- I brought a niceish camera I have had for many years. Once I got comfortable within my community I took out my camera and have been trying to take more pictures. Although I can take them on my phone too, it has definitely been nice to have something that takes a better quality picture to remember my experience. My battery has already died but thankfully I was able to order another one for cheap and was on the list of one of the many things for my mom to bring!
GoPro- I came to Panama knowing I would go diving so I brought this mostly for that purpose. Sadly it broke from water damage but I am working on claiming it on the insurance. I bought Clements insurance as is recommend to Peace Corps volunteers for all of their property so after I go through this process of claiming it I will hopefully have a good story to tell you.
USB Drive and Harddrive- Peace Corps volunteers have the BEST library of music, books, movies, TV shows and you will want them ALL! Bring as big as a harddrive that you want to fill because every person you meet has a harddrive with new things!
Solar panel- I debated about buying a small solar panel before I came to the country. It was one more expense after I had already spent so much preparing for the trip and I was still debating about it when I only had a week left in the United States. I ended up ordering a small 6V one with a battery from Voltaic and am more than happy I bought it! Although it doesn’t charge much, the battery could charge three of my smartphones or about a third of my tablet so it has been very helpful to keep my phone charged. I bought a smaller one, other people came with bigger ones, some Voltaic, some Goal Zero but everyone I have talked to from both companies has LOVED their products. Just a plug for Voltaic- their customer service is ACTUAL PEOPLE with no automation (didn’t know that still existed) and they shipped a part to Panama for free when something broke. Don’t forget Peace Corps Volunteer gets a hefty discount with both companies so use it!!
MISC. ITEMS
Pocket knife- Very useful because I did not have a multitool when I arrived; however, if you have the opportunity to buy a multitool before you come they are extremely helpful!
2 water bottles- Boo. I already lost them both. Months ago. Instead of replacing them again I have resorted to using Gatorade bottles for my water bottles because I buy Gatorade occasionally when I am out of site. Buy bring them and keep track of them! If you bring a Hydro Flask that’s WONDERFUL as well.
Headbands/bandana- Great for the days I am too lazy to wash my hair which happens more often than not.
Hammock- A MUST! I have used this countless times from sleeping in my host family’s house, visiting my friends, staying at the beach, it is well worth it! I have an ENO but another brand is also fairly popular with volunteers. We get discounts for ENO and the other brand so look for the code! And bring a bug net for your hammock if it is not included. That was one of the first things I had my mom mail me because it is extremely helpful and makes sleeping more comfortable.
Cocoon sheet- My aunt and uncle gave me this before I left to the Dominican Republic and I brought it here and it has been great! It takes up hardly any space but is nice to have something to block the chilly air in the hammock.
Journal- This has been wonderful to write about all of my adventures.
Notebook, pen and pencil- Great for starting but also easy to find here.
PADI card and book- SO thankful I brought this. I ALREADY was lucky enough to go diving. Sadly, with El Niño this year the whale sharks were not there at their usual time, but thankfully I still have next whale shark season!
Hat and sunglasses- The sun is SO hot here. But also, you will probably get a sombrero soon depending on your site.
Duct tape- Eh, doesn’t serve for much in this humidity.
Backpack cover- SO NEEDED. SO. MUCH. RAIN. During the rainy season at least.
2 dry bags- When the rainy season comes I find myself wishing for more dry bags so that being said you can never bring enough.
Carabeeners- great for hanging things in your house and attaching stuff to your backpack!
Umbrella- I brought a small umbrella which has been great and easy to easy no matter if I am in the city or my site.
Dry fit towel- A MUST have! Dries so fast in the sun.
Yoga Mat- I liked doing yoga in the States occasionally and there are bound to be some yogies in your class that will (hopefully) help you practice yoga. It also makes for a ‘great’ place to sleep as this was my ‘mattress’ at my host family’s house for four months.
Headlamp- a MUST as well. Also, go ahead and bring Lucy Lights or something of the sort. They are one of the first things I had my mom mail me and have been amazing for lighting up my house at night to cook or read.
BAGS
65L Backpack- I fit most everything in my backpack and use this for any trip I take while in panama.
Daypack- When I came I used this for my carry on and then when I was walking around stuffed it in the duffel bag with some shoes so I did not have to carry around two backpacks.
Duffel Bag- Perfect to put my daypack in when I was carrying my larger backpack to arrive in the country and before settling in my site. It is great to have now because it rolls up easily because I brought a flimsy one, but I can also store things in it here.
I think now you know all my deepest darkest secrets of what I brought! All in all do not let packing stress you out. I found the hardest thing before leaving was making sure I had everything I needed to go. If you are volunteering in Panama, pretty much everything you could want or need is available in the city which you will be close to the first few months for training. I tried to mention things I wish I would have brought or things I wish I could not have brought as well. Overall beside the basic clothes and toiletries bring what will makes you feel at home. Bring pictures of your family, your school, your friends, pets, maps of your home state, the United States, the World, anything that makes you happy! (Tip- bring the pictures laminated so they last through the humidity here!) Bring your favorite spices, a trinket that you love, your favorite chocolate bar (that has a high melting tolerance unless you eat it right away!). Like Charmin says less is more, but make it things that are worthwhile to you! Once you are here you will laugh about how stressed you were packing, about some of the silly things you brought and did not need, about some of the things you were crazy not to have brought and everything in between. It is impossible to pack the perfect suitcase when you come here having almost no clue what to expect and what kind of community you will be living it. Don’t fret- you are not the only one out there worrying about packing and soon you will be on the plane, about to begin your new adventure and the things in your suitcase become the least of your worries!
My mom and I had a wonderful time exploring my site, relaxing on the beach, and being fancy in the city. I cannot wait to tell you more about the trip!