I am guessing about 60% of the traffic on this blog from anyone other than my mom will be in search of this post. I can remember frantically buying new shorts and trying to decide exactly what to bring with me for two years abroad in a “developing country”. It seems that most if not all of the tension and anxiety that forms awaiting your departure for Peace Corps is siphoned into how and what you will pack.

Newsflash: its not that important.

I mean it is, but your stuff will not make or break your experience so, if you want my advice, focus on creating healthy coping habits and skills, hanging out with family and friends, and eating before you come instead of spending that energy on whether you can fit in both a steri-pen AND your straightener and still be under the 50 lb per bag weight limit.

*Disclaimer: These are just my opinions and I live in a cold site, so if you feel very strongly about bringing something don’t let what I say sway you. Only you know what is best for yourself. Also I would suggest getting some different opinions from other PCVs in diverse sites as well.

Tips to consider

You are solely responsible for lugging your junk, that means on planes, busses and camionetas, maybe even boats. Keep in mind that while it is scary, bringing less will be SO much easier logistically.

You will also gain stuff after training- lots of manuals, mosquito net, and your medical kit at least. Leave some space in your luggage to accommodate for that stuff and get it all to site.

What do you want to do after service? I was not thinking about this question much as I was packing, therefore I have a ton of stuff. If you are backpacking around South America after COS, it isn’t really realistic to bring your 50 lb rolly suitcase AND hiking backpack with you. A lot of volunteers sell or give away most of their stuff to Ecuadorians or other volunteers at the end of their service.

If you have a ton of really nice gear that you want to keep forever, pare it down to what you need and don’t go too crazy. This also is a good reason not to go out and buy all new stuff before you come. The stuff you have is probably just fine. For the stuff you don’t, check out the Peace Corps Wiki http://www.peacecorpswiki.org/Volunteer_discounts for pro-deals for Peace Corps volunteers. When buying nice gear on a soon to be Peace Corps budget, you will want those discounts (also if you have a little spare change and just want good gear for life, use those pro-deals, they are normally difficult to gain access to and will only be available to you while you are an active volunteer).

As I mentioned earlier a lot of volunteers give away or sell stuff as they COS. This can be a great option if you want to pare down your packing. There are often lots of shirts, some hiking boots and other good stuff. I’ll even let you in on a secret…..ask at the Peace Corps office (In Quito) about the bodega…you can thank me later.

You can buy clothes in Ecuador. If you are a girl (or guy I guess) that wears leggings, boots and a cute flowy top every day, bring your boots and maybe a top or two but leggings (lycras) are very popular, generally appropriate in all situations, and super cheap in Ecuador. Save you money and space and buy that stuff here.

The same does not stand for shoes. At least in the Sierra, if you wear over a women’s size 38 or 39 (Euro sizes) it can be tough to find women’s shoes for cheap. I shelled out some plata for some custom-made leather boots (check out Zapytal in La Mariscol, Quito) which was totally worth it, but other than that I really can’t find any women’s shoes in my size.

While you are packing make an inventory list of the stuff you are bringing. You will need to do it anyways during training and it is way easier to do it before you have stuff all over your new room.

Maybe most importantly, Ecuador is a small but diverse country. You could be living at 11,000 ft in the sierra or you could live in the super hot, muggy coast. Bring some (but not too many) clothes appropriate for both and when you find out where your site will be you can: trade stuff with other PCVs, buy stuff in Ecuador, have someone at home send you some stuff, have someone from home bring you stuff when they come visit, or visit home and bring back some more regionally appropriate clothing yourself.

What to Bring

Clothes

Jeans – If you aren’t a huge fan of the no-pocket jean look you won’t find much that interests you here. Bring a good pair or two.

– If you aren’t a huge fan of the no-pocket jean look you won’t find much that interests you here. Bring a good pair or two. Business Casual Clothing – You don’t know what you will be doing in site but at least during staging, training, and other Peace Corps functions you will need to dress appropriately. This can mean nice jeans and a nice shirt just no flip-flops, short dresses or skirts, or tank-tops without a cardigan or something.

– You don’t know what you will be doing in site but at least during staging, training, and other Peace Corps functions you will need to dress appropriately. This can mean nice jeans and a nice shirt just no flip-flops, short dresses or skirts, or tank-tops without a cardigan or something. Underwear – Your underwear will most likely get super trashed here so don’t bring the fancy lacy stuff. The ex officio underwear holds up well but if you aren’t planning on resupplying at some point in service bring A LOT. And odds are you won’t want to buy underwear here, it is a very different style. Bras – same goes for bras, bring a good amount of well-fitting bras and a few sports bras

– Your underwear will most likely get super trashed here so don’t bring the fancy lacy stuff. The ex officio underwear holds up well but if you aren’t planning on resupplying at some point in service bring A LOT. And odds are you won’t want to buy underwear here, it is a very different style. Packable down or lightweight synthetic Jacket – great for whenever you are in the sierra, including during training.

– great for whenever you are in the sierra, including during training. Long Underwear – If you are planning on spending some time camping or climbing mountains a good pair of long underwear will give you something to sleep in and an extra layer. Synthetic or wool, just no cotton please. It is humid in most of Ecuador and as we know moisture+cotton=very cold.

– If you are planning on spending some time camping or climbing mountains a good pair of long underwear will give you something to sleep in and an extra layer. Synthetic or wool, just no cotton please. It is humid in most of Ecuador and as we know moisture+cotton=very cold. Rain coat – For you outdoorsy folk, you probably wont need rain pants but a good rain coat is definitely a necessity.

– For you outdoorsy folk, you probably wont need rain pants but a good rain coat is definitely a necessity. Inside Shoes– Ecuadorians culturally always wear shoes inside, meaning you need to as well. I don’t love this but either bring some good inside shoes or plan on buying some in-country.

Gear

Sleeping Bag – If you are planning on camping a sleeping bag is a must, but these can also be very helpful if you are involved in summer camps and visiting other volunteers.

– If you are planning on camping a sleeping bag is a must, but these can also be very helpful if you are involved in summer camps and visiting other volunteers. Pack towel – Towels are expensive here and these are great for travel and beach days.

– Towels are expensive here and these are great for travel and beach days. Water bottle – Staying hydrated in country is super important but in most of Ecuador water cannot be drunk straight from the tap, it must be boiled or otherwise purified first. I brought a steri-pen here and have yet to use it. I would suggest a lifestraw water bottle http://www.rei.com/product/872186/lifestraw-go-filter-bottle-22-floz You can fill it up anywhere and drink immediately- no waiting, chemicals or batteries needed. This is a money saver in country and might also keep you from having to stomach some rehydration salts. A must for me!

– Staying hydrated in country is super important but in most of Ecuador water cannot be drunk straight from the tap, it must be boiled or otherwise purified first. I brought a steri-pen here and have yet to use it. I would suggest a lifestraw water bottle http://www.rei.com/product/872186/lifestraw-go-filter-bottle-22-floz You can fill it up anywhere and drink immediately- no waiting, chemicals or batteries needed. This is a money saver in country and might also keep you from having to stomach some rehydration salts. A must for me! Small backpack– You will be going to and from training with lots of materials, and during service doing lots of weekend trips. It makes life easier to have an alternative to your huge backpacking backpack. I use a sling bag by Kavu daily and for short trips and it is by far the most useful thing I brought.

Electronics

Computer – While there are a few volunteers without computers…..it would be tough. We have all kinds of Peace Corps paperwork that needs to be done on a computer and it is so nice to have music, movies, pictures and all that good stuff with you. Also seeing as PC Ecuador is considered “posh corps” you will most likely be able to get wifi in your or your host family’s place.

– While there are a few volunteers without computers…..it would be tough. We have all kinds of Peace Corps paperwork that needs to be done on a computer and it is so nice to have music, movies, pictures and all that good stuff with you. Also seeing as PC Ecuador is considered “posh corps” you will most likely be able to get wifi in your or your host family’s place. External Hardrive- I know you’ve heard it a million times but a good/big external hardrive is great for exchanging music, movies, and tv shows with other volunteers and you need somewhere to store all of the 4,000 pictres you will take when you are here.

I know you’ve heard it a million times but a good/big external hardrive is great for exchanging music, movies, and tv shows with other volunteers and you need somewhere to store all of the 4,000 pictres you will take when you are here. Camera- duh.

duh. Kindle – You can get tons of free ebooks from other volunteers and if you are a reader having them all in a small package really beats lugging around a bunch of paper copies.

– You can get tons of free ebooks from other volunteers and if you are a reader having them all in a small package really beats lugging around a bunch of paper copies. Phone – I have an old iphone that I don’t have service on here but it is great for using wifi while traveling. I recommend bringing one if you have it just so you don’t have to lug your computer everywhere. You can also get a plan and use it as your regular phone here but remember especially iphones are often major targets for theft.

– I have an old iphone that I don’t have service on here but it is great for using wifi while traveling. I recommend bringing one if you have it just so you don’t have to lug your computer everywhere. You can also get a plan and use it as your regular phone here but remember especially iphones are often major targets for theft. Ipod – Bring a small one, like a nano that can easily be tucked inside a bra or inner pocket. They are almost invaluable on long bus rides but you don’t want to flash anything too nice and make yourself a target.

– Bring a small one, like a nano that can easily be tucked inside a bra or inner pocket. They are almost invaluable on long bus rides but you don’t want to flash anything too nice and make yourself a target. Extra Chargers– It is easy to get chargers broken, stolen or lost in Ecuador, but can be very difficult to find quality replacement chargers. Bring at least an extra phone/ipod charger.

*Just like every Peace Corps thing says, theft definitely happens. That being said be careful with your stuff when you are here, pick and choose which electronics to bring, and consider property insurance of some kind. Clements is the Peace Corps recommended service, and there are quite a few PCVs that have had computers and the like replaced by them efficiently.*

Toiletries

Contact Solution – You can find it here at pharmacies but it will cost you about $15 a bottle, so bring as much as you can.

– You can find it here at pharmacies but it will cost you about $15 a bottle, so bring as much as you can. Face wash/ acne medications, lotion and essential oils – These things can be VERY expensive or not available in country.

– These things can be VERY expensive or not available in country. Toothbrush- If you like using an electronic toothbrush, bring it. You will most likely have power to charge it.

If you like using an electronic toothbrush, bring it. You will most likely have power to charge it. Hairdryer- I don’t use hairdryers normally but Ecuadorians are really weird about showering and having wet hair when you are sick, or it is cold, or it is night-time. I have had several occasions that I could have secretly showered without getting yelled at if I could have dried my hair efficiently afterwards. Just a thought, but I wish I had brought one.

I don’t use hairdryers normally but Ecuadorians are really weird about showering and having wet hair when you are sick, or it is cold, or it is night-time. I have had several occasions that I could have secretly showered without getting yelled at if I could have dried my hair efficiently afterwards. Just a thought, but I wish I had brought one. Makeup – Depending on where you live you could wear makeup every day or never, but if you wear it normally, bring a good bit. It is very expensive and bad quality in-country.

– Depending on where you live you could wear makeup every day or never, but if you wear it normally, bring a good bit. It is very expensive and bad quality in-country. Dr. Bronner’s– This is basically hippie soap that you can use for everything and it is the best. I use it as body wash, shampoo in a pinch, cleaning liquid, and to wash my clothes. I also heard a rumor that if you dab on some of the peppermint kind and stand in front of a fan during the warm season on the coast, it makes you feel almost human again. Again, each to his own but totally worth the weight for me.

Other Stuff

Pictures of home- It is fun and a good way to practice your Spanish to talk with your host family about your U.S. family.

It is fun and a good way to practice your Spanish to talk with your host family about your U.S. family. Planner/calendar- There will be some real highs and low during your Peace Corps service, and sometimes you just need to keep yourself to a good schedule. Some days I just write down: wash dishes, walk dog, talk to neighbor- but I need to write them down and do them or else I will stay in bed all day…because I can.

There will be some real highs and low during your Peace Corps service, and sometimes you just need to keep yourself to a good schedule. Some days I just write down: wash dishes, walk dog, talk to neighbor- but I need to write them down and do them or else I will stay in bed all day…because I can. Tea and Spices- If you drink tea every day or need turmeric or good curry for your favorite recipe, bring it.

If you drink tea every day or need turmeric or good curry for your favorite recipe, bring it. Supplements- If you take supplements daily, Peace Corps will not provide them (they will with medications). While Ecuador does have some of this stuff, labeling and quality tests are ambiguous at best but generally non-existent. Bring a decent supply.

*Peace Corps does however provide a good multi-vitamin if you ask*

Sheets and a good pillow Its different for different people but I am SO happy to have quality bed stuff. The sheets and pillows here are not nice.

Its different for different people but I am SO happy to have quality bed stuff. The sheets and pillows here are not nice. If you have something special that you use every day , it can be nice to have it in-country with you. For me this was my travel tea mug, but it could be a pair of slippers, a really good pair of headphones, or just that one item that makes you feel grounded.

, it can be nice to have it in-country with you. For me this was my travel tea mug, but it could be a pair of slippers, a really good pair of headphones, or just that one item that makes you feel grounded. Hobby stuff– If you like crocheting bring a hook (they have them here but only up to size 10), yoga- I would say bring a mat, I am very happy that I did, but I have been seeing some for sale used on Quito exchange fb pages so they are not entirely impossible to come by, Frisbee- bring one, its fun and it’ll get you integrated in your community.

What not to bring

Danskos – even if they are your go-to or only business casual shoe in the U.S., they are heavy, huge, hot, and unstable. Also they make you look like a crazy, huge foreigner even more then you already do. Ladies, do yourselves a favor and bring some cute boots, if that’s what your into, and/or ballet flats. Learn from my mistakes.

– even if they are your go-to or only business casual shoe in the U.S., they are heavy, huge, hot, and unstable. Also they make you look like a crazy, huge foreigner even more then you already do. Ladies, do yourselves a favor and bring some cute boots, if that’s what your into, and/or ballet flats. Learn from my mistakes. Money belts or hanging passport pouches – You probably wont use it much anyways, just don’t carry your passport and put you money in your bra, sock, shoe or an inside pocket.

– You probably wont use it much anyways, just don’t carry your passport and put you money in your bra, sock, shoe or an inside pocket. Most water sterilizers and pumps – there really is no need, Peace Corps can help you with a water filter for your house if you really need it. However I found a sterilizing water bottle (Life straw) to be super helpful.

– there really is no need, Peace Corps can help you with a water filter for your house if you really need it. However I found a sterilizing water bottle (Life straw) to be super helpful. Don’t buy a bunch of quick dry clothes and zip off pants if you would never normally wear them. I crave normalcy here and dressing in my normal clothes makes me feel more secure and allows me to fit in better with the community. That travel stuff also makes you look super touristy and a good target for thieves. General rule of thumb, if you didn’t like wearing it in the U.S. you won’t like it any more in Ecuador. A quick dry shirt or two might serve you well especially if you are placed on the coast, but there is no need to go overboard.

if you would never normally wear them. I crave normalcy here and dressing in my normal clothes makes me feel more secure and allows me to fit in better with the community. That travel stuff also makes you look super touristy and a good target for thieves. General rule of thumb, if you didn’t like wearing it in the U.S. you won’t like it any more in Ecuador. A quick dry shirt or two might serve you well especially if you are placed on the coast, but there is no need to go overboard. Tons of art supplies– I can’t speak to other programs, but in Youth and Families we were given a good bit of art supplies, and that stuff is definitely all available here if a little expensive. Bring a couple of sharpies and you will be set.

Good luck all and Ecuador can’t wait to meet you!