Packing

So I tried to write this post earlier while I packed, and it deleted itself! Which means this version will probably be shorter, so I guess it's for the best.

This post is just essentially a run through of what I'm taking. A lot of my supplies I got as gifts from kind people, especially my parents, who gave me a lot of it for Christmas. I plan on reviewing this post when I'm back from Cambodia to see what was really necessary and what I could have done without.

Cambodia has a dress code, which means your shoulders and knees have to be covered in public, and it's very hot and humid there, which is reflected in my packing.

That being said, here goes:


Cases

Sorry the photo is upside down - one bag for hand luggage, the other is a light suitcase (that Dad found in Liverpool for free!) which shouldn't add too much to my weight limit.

Clothes
T-shirts

 I have 15 in total, all 100% cotton (or with linen blend) to reduce sweat.
I also have 5 long sleeved shirts, which are supposed to be better for preventing insect bites, once you've acclimated to it being 30°C all day, every day, all night, every night.

PJs

I have a few different options, depending on how hot it really is, and how much biting I experience.

Trousers

6 pairs of loose cotton trousers and one pair of shorts for when I'm at home.

Jumper, cardigan and coat 

Apparently you really do acclimatise, and the coat is in case rainy season starts before I leave in April. Also it's still January in the UK, so I'll wear this on the flight.

Shoes 

 They don't wear shoes indoors in Cambodia, so I'll wear my shoes on the flight and if we need more substantial footwear at any time, but mostly it'll be flip flops (yay!).

Other stuff
I'm bringing a couple of hats, to protect against the sun, and a thin scarf for similar reasons and as a cover up if necessary. I'm bringing plenty of cotton underwear, but not many socks. Also a swimming costume - we aren't allowed to wild swim but it's worth having one with me.

In Cambodia we will hand wash our clothes, which can wear them out, so we have to make sure we have enough.


Toiletries and washing supplies 
Soaps

 2 x conditioner, 3 x bars of soap, and 1 bar of shampoo. The bars are lighter and take up less space, and use less plastic!

Tooth care

 Tooth soap and tooth paste tablets. Less space, less weight, less water, less plastic.

Skin care

Most of this is pretty self explanatory! Gotta look after your skin in a hot country. I also have plenty of moisturiser with me.

Towel and cloths

Mostly microfiber. Norwex represent.

Hand sanitizer and tissues

 The toilets in Cambodia are going to be very different to here, so in case of no available hand washing, then I'll have this with me.

Treat yo self, and hair stuff

Nail varnish, make up (which I'm hoping not to use, but packed in case we get invited to a local function), hair ties and clips, and some nice body wash. I also have my trusty hair oil with me.

First aid

Practically a whole pharmacy 

This box is my main first aid kit, with antihistamines, anti-inflammatory/painkillers, multivitamins, plasters and tape to make them stick on properly in a sweaty climate, bite cream, antiseptic cream, rehydration sachets and imodium (it's almost guaranteed that I'll be sick at some point, due to the huge change in diet), and antacids. The small first aid kit is for day to day use, and it also has a thermometer in it. VSO like us to monitor our temperature pretty regularly, as that's usually the first sign of more serious illness, worth a hospital visit. The temperature can increase before symptoms appear with some of the potential illnesses. But I've had a lot of jabs too!

Insect repellant

The black bottle is Permethrin, for clothes and mosquito nets. The other stuff is mostly 50% DEET. Strong stuff.

Suncream

Factor 50 almost all round. And 2 bottles of after sun, which hopefully I won't need.


Other stuff
Gifts

These are what Katie recommended to give my host family, plus a token of Wales, because Cymru am byth (and its going to be Dydd Gwyl Dewi while I'm out there, and the Six Nations 😥).

Photos and a frame

These were recommended to take to show the host family my life at home, and if they wanted to keep one when I leave.

Games

I tried to bring ones that are fairly easy to communicate, in case of the language barrier.

Books

An optimistic number, and then my journal and Bible. I've heard there's a good amount of reading time on project. We'll see.

Electrical stuff

Chargers, a portable power bank, another phone which has music and audiobooks and a few episodes downloaded on it, a head torch for after sunset, spare headphones, and an ipod which a kind friend loaned me, which has a lot of sermons downloaded on it.

Miscellaneous

A pot with lemon and ginger tea (💕), bumbag, passport and Visa photos, USD, travel pillow, pencils and notebook for work, handy recyclable bags, a sewing kit, Tabasco (Katie went searching for ketchup so I figured I'd bring this) and a small money purse.

And that's that!
That's pretty much everything I'm taking. Now I just have to go!
If you made it this far, well done. You're either very patient, very bored, or a future VSO volunteer.

Lea hi!