Jason left for Madagascar June 24, 2008

So Jason (the wonderful boyfriend) left for Madagascar yesterday. When I was driving him to the airport, there was some sort of freaky flash flood near Canton and then we got stuck in traffic. But he made his flight with time to spare!

Jason just left on an expedition with a British non-profit called Blue Ventures. He will be SCUBA diving and and surveying the coral reefs, doing research for marine conservation. He will also be teaching English in the local school and traveling on their overland tour through Madagascar. And he won’t be back until August 16th.

So this is kind of like our dry run for the Peace Corps. Except communication with him these next 6 weeks or so will be much more limited than they will be in Peru. I can only send him text email messages which will be printed out by someone at Blue Ventures and given to him once or twice a week. And he can send me text emails back which someone will type up and send to me.. and I think he has to pay to both receive and send messages. So that’s rough.

Well, I’m trying not to make this blog too personal, so I’ll leave out the mushy gushy I miss my boyfriend part. It’s actually not even that bad – I was really sad about him leaving until he left. And now I’m so excited for the adventure he’s having and just can’t wait to hear all about it and have him back here

The most common reason to leave Peace Corps is because of a significant other (SO). I remember walking into my Peace Corps interview – literally the first question the woman asked me was whether or not I had a boyfriend and immediately had me fill out a form about the nature of our relationship and how we plan on managing living in seperate nations, cultures, and lives. Jason and I have pretty much lived together since we started dating, so not having each other around all the time will definitely be a change for us.

Long distance relationships can generally take one of two forms:

• Relationships are maintained, but problems are solved only when the two see each other.
• Relationships grow around the distance.

There are advantages to both. When one adopts a relationship where a rare phone call (every week or two) can maintain a relationship for a long time, no one can really have a relationship. At best it keeps you both waiting for the next time you see each other. The advantage of this type of relationship is that it takes much less work and can maintain a relationship where you’re used to seeing each other. Also, after the time apart, things can fall back into place afterwards.

The other type, where a relationship works well at long distances, means frequent phone-calls, long discussions about feelings about very minute things, and a partial detachment from wherever you live, as part of your identity is connected solely over phone lines and letters. The advantage is that when fights and problems pop up, you already know how to discuss your emotions with the other person. You have incorporated the distance into how your relationship works, and therefore you see a long distance relationship as a sufficient reward to maintain it. At the same time, once you return, your relationship has to adjust to the idea of seeing the other person on a daily basis, and you have to learn how “normal” relationships work.

If you’re about to join Peace Corps or be very far away from your SO, you need to ask yourself some things:

• What parts of the relationship will you lose?
  • Physical?
  • Social Groups?
  • Emotional Props?
  • Sense of Identity?

• What parts of the relationship are you going to maintain?
• How often do you plan on communicating? Will that be enough to tell daily activities, or just major changes in life?
• What are your communication options in your host country? Internet? Phone? Mail?
• What does your SO expect? partial separation for two years? daily phone calls?
• What kinds of problems may erupt while you’re apart? Infidelity? Arguments? Long-term Decision-making? Falling in love with another? How will you deal with that, short of quitting and running home?
• How do you expect your time apart to change you? Who do you expect to be when you return, and how do you think your SO will deal with it?
• How often do you plan to visit? every 6 months? Never? Every 4 months?

Questions about your new host country:

• How many time zones are you apart?
• Can you own a telephone? Can you afford it?
• Can you mail physical letters and packages? How much does it cost?
• Is Internet present? Where?
• Can you Skype? Can you bring a digital camera to your Host Country?
• Do you want to use your vacation time to see your SO, or to go travel?
• When is the first time you plan to see your SO after leaving the United States?

I am lucky. Living in Peru, I will have access to internet and telephone. I will be able to keep in touch. Even though we’re not planning on having any sort of long-distance relationship as described above (it seems a bit unreasonable), we certainly plan on staying in touch very well. We are already very explicit about what we need from each other, what makes us uncomfortable, what makes us happy, and how to avoid arguments. We have also already discussed our expectations thoroughly and have come to a VERY reasonable agreement which we are both satisfied with.

Before coming to PC and maintaining a relationship:

• Find out Internet options, bring Microphone and Web Camera if possible
• Don’t expect much contact for the inital months: you won’t know your mediums of commmunication, so just count on a few letters.
• Consider going to a”middle income” country, such as a Latin American one, Kenya, S. Africa, or Eastern Europe. Your communication and travel options will be much easier.
• Have long talks with SO on what you expect and don’t expect from them.
• Discuss ugly hypothetical problems until you’re sick of it — falling in love with somebody else, hookups, lies, and mistakes.
• Take memorable photos together.
• Think of activities you can do “together” while still apart — watch a movie, play a board game, listening to a CD, and what you need. Playing monopoly over the phone, costing $1.00 a minute, may be worth it in the end.
• Talk about who can afford to make trips, and who can’t

While abroad, remember this:

• Unforeseen issues come up, making scheduled communication sometimes can’t happen: international wires stop working, mailmen lose letters, the Internet can go down in an entire country for days.
• These are the hardest times the relationship will have: difficulty isn’t a good reason to end a relationship.
• Be patient and clear when you’re disagreeing. Tones of voice, body language, loud sighs, and facial expressions don’t work in long-distance relationships. You have to spell everything out, and not blame the other person for not understanding. Likewise, you can’t blame a person for not being able to communicate their frustrations easily.
• Many Peace Corps Volunteers reinvent themselves in their host country and forget entirely about their life in the US. You never will, and that’s okay. Your experience will be much more grounded than theirs.

I am truly blessed to have found someone as supportive and understanding and kind hearted as Jason who will allow me to have the PC experience without having to make a choice about what I want more or what I will want in two years when this is over. There is also no pressure to be in an exclusive long-distance relationship (which would make us miserable) or to break up… easy breezy, just my style.

I’m no expert, but I thought others might benefit from some of this information (which is a compilation of info from wise RPCVs, the PC’s numerous relationship inquiry forms, and my personal experience).

Te amo,

Sasha

Communications with Peru June 21, 2008

One of the major benefits Peru has over Kiribati is the variety and reliability of methods of communication. So here is how to get in touch with me!

Mail:

In general, airmail takes about two weeks to and from Peru. During training (the first 3 months) this will be my address:

Alexandra Viches, PCT
Cuerpo de Paz
Calle Vía Láctea 132
Urb. Los Granados, Surco
Lima 33, Peru

I will get a new address when I find out my site placement and will be sure to let you know what it is.

Packages should be sent in padded envelopes. The weight limit is .5 kilos….or 1.1 pounds. If it´s more than this, it goes into customs, and I have to pay a lot of money to get it out.
On the customs paperwork, put REGALO (gift) and mark the value as no more than $100 US dollars. Anything over this has to be paid for.

Computer, Internet, and E-mail Access

All major cities and many smaller communities in Peru have Internet locations. You may or may not have access to the Internet at your site, but if not, you will be able to access the Internet and send and receive e-mails in your regional capital for a reasonable hourly rate. In addition, the Peace Corps office in Lima has Internet-accessible computers available for Volunteer use.

Telephones

International phone service to and from Peru is relatively good. Some Volunteers have telephone access in their homes and/or work facilities. When that is not the case, there is usually access to a community telephone. There are inexpensive local and international calling cards available in Peru that provide affordable rates. International long-distance calls without a calling card can be expensive.
The cellular telephone network in Peru is expanding rapidly. Most Volunteers live in communities with cellular service, or have cellular service not far away. Peace Corps does not provide cellphones or cellphone service to Volunteers, but does arrange for Volunteers to participate in a low-cost group plan. Almost all Volunteers participate in the plan.

Peru June 17, 2008

Well, I got an email early this morning with my new invitation! The Peace Corps was really fast and responsive and helpful for this entire situation. I’m actually rather impressed!

I leave September 10, 2008 for Peru with the Community-based Environmental Management Program to be a Community Development promoter.

Some of the other people in my original training group have been re-invited already as well. So far I have heard:

Two volunteers are going to be Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) & Community Development in Micronesia

Education/Youth development volunteer in Bolivia

Microenterprise Development Volunteer in Bolivia

Teaching biology/chemistry in Mozambique got changed to Education and Women’s Empowerment in Togo

Well, I don’t know much about it yet, but I will definitely be adding a lot of information in the near future.

For now, a few tidbits:

Peace Corps/Peru’s Community-Based Environmental Management project addresses Peru’s multiple environmental and conservation challenges, particularly in environmentally sensitive areas. Volunteers work with local schools, community groups, nongovernmental organization (NGOs) and government officials to strengthen environmental awareness, provide conservation skills, generate income for local residents, and build organizational capacity and leadership.

• Environmental Volunteers are situated in a variety of locations. Although the specific characteristics of each Volunteer assignment are different, the majority of site locations share common traits. Most assignments are in small rural communities, many of which are close to environmentally sensitive areas and have limited physical infrastructure, including lack of running water and/or electricity.
• Some Volunteers are assigned to work in rural district capitals where there is a larger concentration of population, but still limited amenities.
• Most Environmental Volunteers are located within an hour or two by foot, bicycle, or public transportation from other Environmental Volunteers, so that Volunteers with different skill sets can support each other.
• Most Volunteers are also located within an hour or two from volunteers in other sectoral areas.

Peace,
Sasha

Letter from PC Kiribati director June 16, 2008

Today the current country director of Peace Corps/Kiribati wrote a letter to the members of what would have been training group K39. Here are the reasons for suspending the program straight from the source:

June 16, 2008

Group K39 Invitees

It saddens me to report that Pre-Service Training for your group, K39, has been cancelled and that the Peace Corps Kiribati program will be suspended later this year. The Peace Corps has struggled for some time with the challenge of infrequent and sometimes erratic air services to the outer islands that have hosted many of our Peace Corps Volunteers in Kiribati. Reliable air transportation is absolutely crucial for the Peace Corps to meet its obligation to safeguard your health and well-being in this island setting. Consequently, Peace Corps has made the very difficult decision to find another program in which you may enjoy a safe and productive Peace Corps experience.

We at Peace Corps Kiribati share your disappointment. We were excited about your expected arrival. We understand that by accepting our invitation you began to make an emotional investment in our Program. In fact, our Volunteers have shared stories of the enthusiasm that they observed in corresponding with many of you during recent weeks. Please know that we here in Kiribati hope that you decide to pursue another Peace Corps placement with the enthusiasm and sense of adventure that made Kiribati an attractive option.

Thank you for your patience and your understanding and for your willingness to experience Peace Corps Kiribati. Good luck in your new program.

Sincerely,

Michael Koffman
Director, Peace Corps/Kiribati

edit: uh-oh! conspiracy!! according to a RPCV from Kiribati:

they only got the 2nd plane sometime after my group got there (K28)! before that, pcv’s had been on outer islands with only one plane that most definitely was not “reliable”. i cannott believe that this “evacuation safety” reason could be the *real* one.

Latin America June 16, 2008

Bright eyed and bushy tailed… started calling the Inter-America and Pacific Unit country desk at 8am. Around 9am, I got a hold of my placement officer. She said that she wouldn’t have anything definite to tell me until later this week (surprise, surprise) and she would give me a call when she knew more. And then she told me that the program she was looking at for me leaves in September for Latin America.
I immediately rushed to the Peace Corps Wikipedia Timeline page, which has a list of all the known programs leaving, by expected departure date. The only three Latin American country programs leaving in September are:

September 1: Nicaragua

September 10: Peru (All volunteers live with a family their entire service)

September 16: El Salvador

(Click the picture to zoom)

So now we wait again… but it already feels better at least knowing this much.

The more I think about it, the more I’m sure this was a blessing in disguise. Although I would have LOVED the Kiribati PC experience, Spanish is a much more useful language than I-Kiribati for future endeavors (better start brushing up!). By the time I get back, I will be fluent and mostly literate in three useful languages. I can’t wait! Also, Kiribati has been referred to as “the butthole of the world” by some – there is very little chance that any of my friends would have been able to afford to come visit me and family visits would be much more infrequent. In the Latin countries, there is at least a possibility of communication – maybe cell phone, maybe internet. I might possibly have electricity and running water. The temperature is much more moderate since it’s not on the equator. They are also likely to be less conservative which will be a lot easier for me to handle. Moreover, volunteers in these countries are placed in much closer proximity to each other. Oh! And not to mention the food variety!

Also, leaving in September means that I don’t have to say goodbye to Jason next Monday – he’ll be back from Madagascar before I leave! So that makes my next week a lot less depressing

And that means that I can go to lollapalooza with my sister this year!

Downsides: My dad thinks Central America is far too dangerous; malarial countries – and the anti-malarial provided by the PC is Mefloquine; SNAKES.

I was a little disappointed when I found out the Kiribati program had been canceled, but now I am excited all over again! Now I’m just dying to know what my placement officer has to say later this week.

Kiribati links June 15, 2008

Unfortunately, this particular wordpress blog design/theme doesn’t allow for more than one link bar on the side of my page. I already have many and thought it would be too cluttered with additional links from a new country of service, so I am putting all of the Kiribati-related links into this one post for future reference:

About Kiribati:

• Jane’s Kiribati Homepage
• Kiribati Wikipedia
• Peace Corps Kiribati Yahoo Group
• Photos of Kiribati
• U.S. Department of State

Information about Kiribati PC Service:

• Peace Corps Kiribati Welcome Book
• Peace Corps Kiribati Wikipedia

Kiribati in the news:

• Action on Global Warming Good, but Late
• Partnership Delivering Services to Fight HIV/AIDS in The Pacific
• Prostitution and Pacific fishing
• Suspected pirate flees Kiribati Authorities
• Terror alert in South Pacific
• UN to expand presence in Pacific islands

People in my original training group:

• Dani’s blog – Live to the point of tears
• Marjorie’s blog – Eastern Edge of the world

Travel Kiribati:

• Lonely Planet Guide
• Professional Travel Guide
• virtual tourist travel guide
• Wikitravel Kiribati

Friday the 13th Indeed… June 14, 2008

I never really had much luck with Friday the 13th. It’s not to say that anything tragic has ever really happened, but it’s the combination of many little tragedies throughout the day that generally creeps me out. I once almost burned down an apartment building (unattended candle next to a box of kleenex in a different room while I was in the shower) – oops. I’ve also had weird allergies, been known to lock my keys in my car, wear my clothes inside out without noticing … you get the picture.

Today was no different. I was rudely awakened at six in the morning by a couple of very vocal dogs. The barking went on for hours, ensuring that sleep would not find me again that morning. Then I went to get my hair cut. I had decided that since I would be living in Kiribati, I had no need for hair. With the risk of lice and the oppressive heat under thick curly hair, I decided an incredibly short crop cut was for me. Unfortunately the hairdresser was a bit more apprehensive and just couldn’t manage to cut enough hair off. I looked ridiculous. So I went to a different salon. To a different hairdresser. Who was equally incapable of taking directions (for some reason she was under the impression that I wanted to be able to spike the top of my hair which is just silly). It eventually took my wonderful friends Ashley and Erin taking turns evening it out in my bathroom with craft scissors to make me look reasonable.

And then I got the phone call from the US Peace Corps Pacific Island desk: All programs in Kiribati have been indefinitely suspended due to the infrequency of flights to the outer islands – they could not guarantee prompt medical care in an emergency so the country director decided this was best.

I feel a bit displaced. I just chopped off all of my hair to live in a country where I’m not going to live anymore, which is of course not a big deal since it’s just hair, but life sure does have an interesting sense of humor. I’m disappointed that I am going to miss out on the opportunity to live in such an amazing country. Moreover, I now know more useless facts about a country nobody has heard about than ever necessary. For example, did you know that the per capita consumption of fish on the country is 400lb/yr? That is 400lb of fish for every person every year. Absurd. I am grateful for having been given a reason to gain a wealth of information about that region of the world, but am a little worried about having to start emotionally preparing all over again.

I am supposed to call my placement officer on Monday to discuss future options. They said they would try to place me based on my qualifications and interests starting in the Pacific. If there was no suitable match, they would look to Central and South America, the Caribbean, and then the rest of the world. So we’re basically back to square one. The curiosity is killing me!

What a weird day.

Freebies and Discounts for PC Volunteers June 8, 2008

As you may have noticed, a lot goes into packing for a stint with the Peace Corps. And often this can quickly become an expensive endeavor. Not many people talk about it, but there are many places that are willing to make this task easier for you. The most important thing to do is ask:

• Bivouac: They were very helpful and knowledgeable and gave me 20% off. They also price match. They don’t have a PC volunteer policy, but if you are/were a boy scout you can get 20% off as well.
• Chaco: Gives PC volunteers 50% off! Call 970.527.7413 or email help@chacousa.com. They will ask you to fax or email them a copy of your invitation and then they will email you a promotional code which can be used on their website.
• CVS: let me print out 70 digital photographs on laminated waterproof photo paper for free.
• Moosejaw: the East Lansing location gives PC Volunteers 10% off for life. This may vary by location, but all you have to do is ask (I’m sure if you ask at the corporate level it won’t be a problem either)
• Keen: Request a certificate for their Pro Purchase Program. Choose Industry Partner and fill out the form. They will email you a certificate number, and then you can get up to two pairs per season at the discounted price (which is 50% off!!!).
• Uncle Dan’s: Gives 10% off everything to PC Volunteers.

A PC Volunteer who served in Senegal said that:

• The Economist: gave them over 50% off a year’s subscription and delivered it to the Peace Corps bureau in country.
• Burton: They told them they wanted to duneboard in the Sahara so they sent them a snowboard in exchange for photos
• Teva – Gave their wonderful Peace Corps Host Country National language trainers free sandals after the Volunteers told them how great they are and included photos.

If you know of any other deals, please let me know!

How does one pack for 27 months? June 4, 2008

One of the most stressful parts of planning for this trip is trying to figure out how to pack 80lbs for 27 months. I have consulted with other RPCVs blogs as well as the Peace Corps Handbook – and then I tried to figure out how that all fit for my tastes and this is what I have come up with. Please, feel free to comment with brand recommendations or any other feedback.

Luggage/Bags:

• Osprey Waypoint 80 medium men’s pack (because I have a long enough torso for a women’s large and a small enough waist for a women’s small, so the proportions on the men’s pack fits me best. haha)
• Osprey UL Raincover (lightweight backpack cover)
• carry on suitcase on wheels
• Regular backpack for day trips – a day pack comes with the osprey built in
• Sea to Summit compression dry sack, medium (good for boat trips and can be used as a pillow)
• pelican case for camera (1010 with foam) and ipod (i1010)

(The above altogether not totaling 80 lbs. And 107 inches perimeter)

Craft Kit:

• Pencils and colored pencils
• nice pens
• markers for coloring and permanent markers
• glue stick and scotch tape
• stamp/stickers (this is optional, maybe to be sent in care package if you run out of space)
• Scissors

Office/School Supplies and Gifts:

• Stationary and materials to send letters (nice paper, envelopes, clear packing tape)
• U.S. postage stamps (a few of the self-stick kind) to send mail back with travelers
• Personal pictures/small photo album (all laminated)
• Picture book of the U.S.A/Calendar (these make nice gifts for host families)
• A songbook with folk and popular songs
• 1-2 good books that you would want to read and share with other PCVs (though there are a lot of books in the dorm that you can borrow)
• Good Small/Pocket Dictionary
• At least one file folder or plastic accordion folder
• Small pack of thumbtacks
• Several paperclips
• At least one world map and one U.S. map
• Blow-up globe
• Small day planner and/or calendar
• Calculator (basic, solar-powered)
• Index Cards (for learning the language, flashcards)
• Some journals/notebooks (2-3)
• 1 deck of plastic cards, Uno, and travel game to play with small children, villagers, students
• A small gift from America for my host family or others (at least 12): a few small children’s books, 6 bottles of fingernail polish, 2 hair clips (the louder the better), America calendar, hacky sacks, but a lot can be bought in the capital or on training island for this purpose, so don’t worry about it too much.
• Tough plastic mailer envelopes for sending gifts home (both small and large size you can find at office supply stores). Get the ones with the thin bubble wrap lining. (Just bring a few of both sizes and have a bunch sent later in care packages)

Electronics:

• Hand-crank AM/FM/Shortwave radio and built-in LED flashlight
• 60G iPod with usb charger
• Brunton SolarPort 4.4 Watt Foldable Solar Charger with battery charger
• Camping speakers
• headphones
• Camera with car charger
• Extra 2G memory card
• 2 disposable underwater cameras (*** ask for these in care packages, as well)
• several Good rechargeable AA and AAA batteries
• Silica Gel for packing camera, batteries, and ipod in (and other electrical devices) Found in bulk at craft stores, used for drying flowers. Zippable cloth bag(s) to store them in.
• 1 waterproof watch with an alarm, 1 sports watch for back-up
• A hand-crank LED flashlight (no batteries, no replacement bulbs)
• A head lamp (for keeping hands free if riding a bike or going to the toilet at night)
• 1 DVD that I like…for Peace Corps Dorm collection (new releases are best)

Other supplies/tools/NECESSITIES:

• marine epoxy
• 2 pillow cases and 2 full sheets
• Therm-a-Rest ProLite 4
• Duct tape (attach roll to outside of luggage) (have another one of these sent later in care package, too)
• five-gallon collapsible water jug
• multi tool and good knife
• A few small and medium-sized combination locks and 1 small padlock (for locking your bags and two medium/regular size Masterlocks for your house)
• TSA approved lock for checked bags
• Many large Zip-lock bags (gallons and gallon 1/2’s…even 2 gallons!) …all of my stuff is packed in them +extras (you can’t ever have enough of these, especially the big ones…good idea to have every care package item packed in them, as well)
• Compass
• Small sewing kit for colored fabrics and whites, with regular and thick/sturdy thread, and a few strong needles
• Several sets of Earplugs (for sleeping and keeping water out of the ears when bathing and swimming. one RPCV reported having a constant ear infection for the first 3 months)
• travel pillow
• 1 klean kanteen bottle (these are stainless steel so won’t make your water taste different, won’t corrode, and you can boil water in these!)
• Sea to Summit pocket shower
• 2 32 oz. Nalgene water bottles make sure they are bpa free!!
• fish recipes
• Travel Hammock
• A few clothespins (can buy in country, but will need those first few days)
• Several rubberbands
• Several safety pins
• A few small bungee cords (for carrying things on bikes, etc.)
• bear mace
• Small thermometer for measuring outside temperature (optional)
• Good digital thermometer for measuring your own temperature (IMPORTANT! Not provided by PCMO!)
• Harmonica

Kitchen items:

• a very good can opener (***good gift for host family, as well)
• a couple of spatulas and good knives (fish fillet and all-purpose – can be found on the island)
• small, thin cutting board
• measuring spoons
• Spices (particularly for fish): cumin (can sometimes be found in country), chili powder, lemon pepper, Cajun seasoning, basil and other italian seasoning)…
• Some tea bags (herbal and green)
• tupperware

Garden seeds:

• Celery
• Green onion
• Tomato
• Cucumber
• Cabbage
• Squash/pumpkin/zucchini
• Sunflowers
• Radishes
• Green beans
• Carrots
• Garlic
• Parsley
• Chives
• Bell peppers/hot peppers
• Soybeans
• Cherry tomatoes

Personal Hygiene and Toiletry Items:

• deodorant (2) (good care package item to be sent later)
• Burt’s Bees baby bee shampoo and wash – biodegradable
• 1 bottle deep hair conditioner
• 1 travel bottle moisturizing lotion
• nail clippers
• Q-Tips
• metal tweezers (since we only have plastic ones in our medical kits)
• a good hairbrush/comb
• headbands, hair clips, one or two hair ties
• carmex
• good toothbrushes and 1 tube of toothpaste and floss (good to have both sent later in care packages ***and toothbrushes make great gifts!!!)
• a 3 month’s supply of tampons (some to be sent later)
• a razor with a few extra blades – most PCV Women give up on shaving altogether
• Toiletry/shower bag. One you can hang definitely comes in handy.
• small mirror
• Sleeping aid (tablets)
• Eco select pre-moistened all purpose biodegradable wipes
• Hand sanitizer (no water needed…Bath & Body Works has great scented ones, good care package item)
• 1 bottle of sunblock spf45 – Bullfrog brand is absolutely waterproof (unlike the ones in our med kits)
• also one bottle of Aveeno spf70 face sunblock and/or Banana Boat Ultra Defense spf 80 because I’m so very very white. (send more in care packages)
• small bottle of insect repellant
• Seven-day pill holder (optional)
• A bottle of Vitamin C, Vitamin E, iron tablets and B complex (have more sent later in care packages)
• 1 light-weight towel/shammy (and 1 to be sent later)
• several small washcloths and 3 small plastic scrubby thingies
• 1 tube of Rhuli gel for insect bites, rashes, and sunburns
• epi pens
• 3 month supply of prescription meds

Clothes (for Women):

• 10 pairs of cotton or high performance underwear (some female Volunteers find cotton boxers cooler)
• 3 bras and 2 sports bras (you’ll want bras sent later, as well)
• 2 good, sturdy rain panchos
• A swimsuit for traveling (optional)
• 3 lightweight Cotton Shirts. Button downs and nice shirts. The lighter the cloth the better. White won’t stay white long. (short sleeves or sleeveless, but NOT low-cut and NOT tight!) (Shoulders should be covered and no spaghetti straps!)
• 1 long-sleeved shirt/cardigan a good idea during wet season.
• Two or three T-shirts or tank tops for informal wear
• 1 t-shirt and 1 long T-shirt for sleepwear
• 2 loose men’s boxers to wear under skirts and for sleepwear
• Three or four pairs of loose, long, lightweight below-the-knee/mid-calf length shorts (cropped pants/pedal pushers that are loose)
• Three or four nice long, loose, light-weight cotton skirts that aren’t see-through (where you can sit and see nothing above the knee)
• Optional: loose, long pants for evening wear in your house or for vacations; swimsuit (mainly for international vacations).
• Note to women: With clothes, the issue isn’t necessarily seeing skin, it is seeing the shape of the body. In particular, it is not acceptable for people to be able to determine the shape of the legs and crotch area. That is why you have to wear something under any skirt that might be even remotely transparent. Shop accordingly. – From the PC Welcome Book
• 2 Hats for the sun, with brim
• 4 Bandannas
• 2 pairs of sunglasses

Shoes

• One or two pairs of sturdy sports sandals (e.g., Keens or Chacos – Chaco gives PC volunteers 50% off); keep in mind that you’ll be putting shoes on and taking them off constantly and many Volunteers prefer flip-flops or slip-on sandals
• One pair of dive booties/reef shoes
• Two pair of high-quality flip-flops (cheap ones can be purchased in Tarawa)
• Exercise shoes, if you plan to exercise (do not forget your socks if you bring shoes)
• About 4 pairs of socks (for when you have fungus, sores or blisters on your feet)

• Snorkle and mask (A MUST!) (***have extra swim goggles sent for host families…they like them for deep sea fishing); fins; note that there are currently no SCUBA facilities in the country, so there’s no need to bring any SCUBA gear

Important Documents to Bring:

• immunization records
• laminated address book
• PC volunteer handbook
• Some US dollars
• A credit card and a check-card for vacation and emergencies (order new before I leave)

Note: This is a VERY comprehensive list. Many of these things I will not be able to bring and I would like to have sent to me later or can buy in Kiribati. Also, a lot of these things do not take up a lot of space – for example, to pack a box of 2 gallon ziploc bags, I will use them to put all of my things in and reuse them in country – I can fill my nalgenes with small items, etc. The list looks much more overwhelming than it is.