A suitcase in africa: an annotated list

A suitcase in africa: an annotated list

Things I didn’t need to bring to Africa…

Boden travel French press. At 10 $ I thought it would be the buy of the century. Given a complete lack of coffee beans or grounds it is pretty much useless. That and I am entirely afraid to wash anything in the water here for fear of contamination. I have bought some raw coffee beans that I might be able to roast in the oven and grind with some device.

Water filter- I get boiled water from the sisters and bottled water is abounding. – the rumor that beer is cheaper than water is unfortunately not true.

Fishing shirt- Colombia sportswhere. Supposed to be quick dry material to deal with the sweat. Looks grey and ugly, and it wrinkles like heck.

Books- I am a bibliophile… brought too many- finding so many more here….

Chapstick- maybe I’ll need it in Tanzania

Tissues- I can buy a handkerchief for about 30 cents here and I can use it like 15 times before washing it. Gross , huh?

Travel alarm clock- time seems to have already lost all meaning to me… except for the roosters waking me up every morning.

Sleeping bag?- Well should have used it and now I have some itchy skin thing from the unwashed blankets at the run down hotels from this past week.

Nike running jacket- doesn’t seem to actually prevent rain from getting me.

Nalgene water bottles- smell like a bathroom even after washing them… mineral water cheap and abounding- also easier to pack.

Baseball hat- don’t seem to ever wear it

So many clothes – ever the pack rat. I think I would be better at washing my clothes if I just had less.

So many electrical wires… just kind of silly

orange whistle. – again just feel silly



Things I was happy I brought

Q tips- so much dirt everywhere

Safari Hat- terribly tacky- bought at the age of 12 and hadn’t worn for years. I use it as a personal umbrella and tick protection and sun blocker. Learning to love the hat

Timberland belt- bought some 5 years ago for really cheap- still works great and I wear it almost every day.

Chocolate from South Africa. I have been nursing the same bar for 2 months and it is soooo delectable.

Peptobisnal- If these were candy, I would eat them every day they taste so good! It may be in my head, but just chewing one of those and I feel cured.

The whole medicine kit- I feel like a real pro!

Universal adaptors for the ipod- works with the computer too!

Calendar- Thanks again Joy! I always stash some money in it in case I get pick pocketed. Serves as my song book as I learn church songs in all different languages.

Neosporin= don’t ask.

Things I wish I brought

Mini speakers that run on batteries. I got one this past year for dirt cheap at Willamette. Why did I leave it at home?

Some sort of pillow- who knew Ugandan pillows would be so uncomfortable.

More sunglasses- broke my last pair

More chocolate

Better ear plugs

Church song book= that way I could teach the songs I know and share them with the Jesuits here.

Beard trimmer- well now that I have it, I probably should have maintained it.

My dog

Something to clean my camera lens- who knew a camera store would be so hard to just come across