packing and stuff... ie living out a suitcase

So there’s a new group coming in January so I thought I’d add my 2 cents on packing and how to effectively be happy here, or just generally any time you’re going to be away from home for long time or living out of a suitcase.

I’ve had a lot of jobs since I’ve graduated college and most of them have been 3-4 months/seasonal and have not allowed for me to have everything I want/own with me (then again for me to take everything I own with me somewhere I would need a pretty big truck, I will not lie to you that I have a lot of stuff). Anyways. Even though I’m a chronic over-packer and I mean a serious over-packer I almost always have more stuff then everyone else- besides that fact I consistently take jobs that force me to evaluate what’s important to me, and what can stay at home in my childhood bedroom (ps thanks mom for not kicking my stuff out- you’re the best and I’m aware I’m really lucky. ) So over the years I have one thing that I want to communicate to anyone who has to pare down your stuff or live out of a suitcase; pack what you love, pack things you like, pack things you will wear. My first theater tour in 2008 I only brought black work and show clothes and nothing fun or colorful or comfy to wear when I wasn’t doing the show- by the end of the first month I was going crazy and just felt like crap, it wasn’t until I went on a really bad shopping binge and brought some fun hippy colorful clothes that I realized I felt terrible because I wasn’t wearing the clothes I wanted to wear. I may be an exception because I tend to get over-attached to clothes, but you have to put something on every day (unless you live in a nudist colony) and I don’t know about you, but when I like my outfit and feel comfortable and like myself in the clothing I have on, I feel more confident, happy and complete. So… that’s my piece of advice, if there’s a dress code, yeah you have to adhere to that, but for the love of all things holy if you leave your favorite tshirt behind I promise you’ll regret that decision, even if you only get to wear it around your house after work or whatever.

So… for those of you coming to morocco here’s a suggestion for your packing- the toughest thing about packing for morocco (other than the fact that you have to project what you will want here and decide what you will have with you for 2 years, and then make it fit into 2 suitcase and a carry on) is that it gets both pretty darn cold, and really freaking hot, so you have to pack a variety of things. As with outdoor education the name of the game is layers… also this list is more geared towards girls, because boys pack so weird, honestly I don’t get it…. One guy in my group brought 1 duffel with him that wasn’t even all that full and didn’t think it was weird- maybe it’s because there’s only so many combinations of pants and t-shirts or button downs, and girls have a million options but come on guys, it’s two years for god sakes, and no one wants to see you walking around in a nasty stained ripped up t-shirt because you only brought one pack of hanes v-necks, think ahead.

For baggage, I recommend one large rolling suitcase, maybe a large rolling duffel ( I went with llbean’s rolling duffel it’s great) and one regular duffel, you’re going to want a little extra room in at least 1 of them because you will get a ton of papers and other important things like your mosquito net, books from the library, a fire detector and med kit during training.  Also bring travel locks for when you ship 1 of your bags to your site in country.

Ok so here goes my suggestions for packing for morocco

-       first of all this whole business casual thing is more or less bullshit, you’ll wear this outfit for swearing in and staging stateside. I recommend a nice looking skirt paired with a practical shirt or blouse or cardigan that could also double as something you would feel comfortable wearing day to day. You don’t need heels, or dress shoes or a Hilary Clinton get up- think more school teacher then wall street

-       2-3 skirts- for me, I wear skirts a lot and I think they’re great because you can wear as much or as little underneath them as you want

-       if you’re a pants person, bring 2 pairs and then maybe 1-2 extra pairs because hand washing will destroy them.

-       2 pairs of leggings, cotton or quick dry/wicking. if you wear skirts a lot I recommend these to wear underneath and 1-2 pairs of winter weight or long john leggings for the winter time.

-       1 pair of shorts to wear around your house in the summer time.

-       2 cardigans or long sleeve shirts, cardigans should ideally be long (to the butt if possible)

-       1-2 t-shirts or other shirts I recommend something not too tight, because if they cling onto your lady parts, or are low cut you may get some unwanted and un-fun attention

-       2-3 warm layers (I used coming to morocco as an excuse to go to the Patagonia outlet, and my merino base layers have done me really well) I recommend 3 because there will be a time when you’re wearing 2 of them, then have to wash them because they’re dirty, and then you will be cold if you don’t have an extra one, also there will probably be a day you put all 3 on

-       so to go along with the winter layers, I also suggest you think of long sleeve summer layers, places like Patagonia and underarmor and other sports gear places make great summer weight layers, I recommend at least 1 of these, 100 degrees in a taxi will feel much nicer if your clothes are wicking moisture for you.

-       -1 vest- winter jackets are a little superfluous down south where I am, so if you have a jacket that can be a vest or a jacket that might be ideal because you never know where you will end up.

-       1 -2 long tank tops to wear as a layer or to cover up a little more

-       1-2 scarves (to hide your lady bits- I highly recommend this especially if you are blessed in the chest)

-       2 pairs of sweatpants

-       1 sweater and 1 sweatshirt, depending on your mood

-       winter hat and gloves

-       underwear, then extra underwear and then some more extra underwear for your mom to send to you

-       -socks, then more socks to save for later

-       1-2 pairs of winter socks

-       warm slippers to wear around your house (honestly one of the best things I have with me)

-       shoes, I suggest 1 pair of hearty sandals (Birkenstocks, chaco’s) and 1 pair of traveling shoes (toms, keens, sneakers etc) and if you work out a lot something to do that in (running shoes, vibrams etc)

-       sleeping bag ( I suggest 0-20 degree)

-       sleeping bag liner

-       hiking backpack for your carry on to use for any trips you take, rolling suitcases are good for your checked but if you have to go somewhere for a training etc it’s nice to have a hands free option and something easier to drag through crowded trains and buses

-       re-useable shopping bag

-       day bag/backpack/messenger/purse etc for your day-to-day uses

-       kindle
-   iphone if you have one for a more portable internet possibilities/games
-   CAMERA- i forgot this the first time around. i have a canon g12 and i love it. it has great quality without being too bulky or even looking that fancy. im a big fan. 

-       computer and computer stuff

-       2 external hard drives- 1 for your computer back ups and one for the “electronic souk” where you will trade tv shows and movies with fellow pcv’s at every training you go to ever

-       journals if you’re the journaling type

-       my mom gave me the idea for something called a “smile folder” it’s just a folder where I put in things that make me happy, letters, pictures, magazine pictures, things to decorate my house… I think this is invaluable because there will be bad days, and it’s nice to have something that can cheer you up no matter what.

-       If you’re a crafty person do not deny this part of you! In my carry-on I brought 8lbs of seed  beads, crochet hooks, knitting needles a cross stitch and 2 skeins of yarn- I have used every single one of them. You can get some stuff here, but if you have a portable craft, or can’t imagine your life without scrapbooking or something make sure that happens.

-       Yoga mat

-       Workout dvd’s if you have any

-       Toiletries you like, your favorite shampoo, soap, deodorant and perfume, I recommend all of these and maybe a little extra, or buy some and set it aside for someone to ship to you while you’re home. It’s the little things that make you happiest

-       Moisturizer! You will need this for sure, bring extra.

-       A nice knife and if you’re really picky a veggie peeler, but you can purchase a veggie peeler here, a nice knife though makes your kitchen so much better

-       Measuring cups and measuring spoons

-       2 packs of ziplock bags, big and small

-       Peanut butter

-       If you have any spices you cant live without (ie mrs dash, lawrys seasoned salt, garlic powder etc ) I’d recommend that too.

-       Gifts for people (think card games like uno or something, local specialities such as maple syrup, books, I have a hard time with gifts, I still haven’t figured it out to be honest)

-       Small fleecy blanket (they have one from Columbia I think that zips into a pillow and zips out into a blanket- super cool)

Wow. I totally come off as an over-packer even online. Oh well. After that think of things that make you happy- for me until I went home a year in I was never truly happy in my bed because im really picky about my pillows, so I brought my favorite pillow back with me.

Also if you have packed everything and then realize you’re unsure about some stuff, like I did, make a  pile somewhere, or put them in a box and leave them with your parents or a friend in case you want them. It’s a lot easier then trying to give directions to your distant desires via email or skype.

I don’t know if anyone will find this helpful. But I guess this could also work for anyone who is also moving far away and having to get rid of their stuff. So I apologize for any of you who find this useless. For those of you who find it helpful, enjoy.