My Guidelines for What to Pack for Volunteer Travel for Women
IF YOU ARE DOING VOLUNTEER WORK, YOU MAY FIND THESE GUIDELINES HELPFUL…If you want to see the actual packing list of what I’m bring in insane detail, it has moved to another spot on this blog. Check on list at right and scroll down to entry made October 16, 2007: :” The Real Life Test….Packing List”
MY PACKING “GOLDEN RULES”:
#1. YOU’RE NOT IN PARIS FOR THE WEEKEND….
Talking to other women who travel or would like to all have one thing in common: we want to pack light, but we want to be stylish. My advice is to just get over that. No one is going to care what you are wearing, or how stylish you are, if you are helping them. You aren’t going to care either, because you’re going to be very busy teaching children/rebuilding a trail/helping disaster victims/building a house/shovelling manure…
It is VERY important that you be culturally appropriate! You may be seen as an outsider, or as someone who may be available sexually because you are different and traveling (even in agroup). You may see other tourists wearing strappy tank tops,shorts, etc. …but you should make an effort to dress in such a way that the women of the country you are in will welcome you. Respecting local culture and tastes will only enrich your volunteer experience. This doesn’t mean you should bring NO stappy tanks or fun things-but not many.
Generally in third world countries, women are more conservative. Ask the organization you are going to work with what they would suggest.
I’ve noticed that alot of packing lists either tend to be geared towards men-or are geared for someone who never plans on getting messy and who is wandering about cobbled streets somewhere in Europe. That person is not you.
If you are volunteering, pack appropriately to what you will be doing-working hard, getting your hands dirty,etc. You must be reasonably self reliant, able to clean your clothing yourself and with ease, and able to stay healthy. Have enough variety in her clothing to do many different kinds of tasks.
#2. PACK LIGHT;PACK CARRY-ON ONLY. PERIOD.
No matter what you bring, your clothes will probably be nicer than most people’s at your destination-don’t worry about dressing to impress, or having lots of outfits. It should all go together, it should all be reasonably conservative-nothing loud or tight. Think layers, lots of them.
The exception is if you are allowed to bring another suitcase plus your carry-on..this would not apply to short term(less than a year) volunteers. I am bring an additional bag to one country, but it will carry supplies for that charity(and some extra health supplies for me).
#3.YOUR SIZE MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN WHAT YOU PACK
You aren’t going to read that anywhere else-but it’s true. For some reason, alot of travel sites/and travel clothes! are geared towards smaller people-both in weight and size. If you are not a petite size person(in shoes,in clothes,in bras…whatever..), you will need to pay special attention to what you bring. You will have the added dilemma of having to take even less,because your stuff is just bigger!
If you are an average size to small,you will easily find clothes where you are going, so you can bring even less.
If you are not an average size, you may be able to have clothing made for you-in India,for example. Bring enough of whatever item you KNOW will be difficult to find your size in. What’s enough?Good question. Take how many you think you need and divide it in half. That’s enough!
If you are going to be volunteering for a long time, you may be able to have someone ship you more items as you
need them(If your size is hard to find where you are).
#4. LOOK FOR GOOD TRAVEL CLOTHES THAT WORK HARD
I’ve had a difficult time finding travel clothes that really WORK,and are more like a piece of gear that is truly useful. Adventure /sports stores have a nice selection-if you are a younger person,or a small sized person. I found most of their clothing too tight or too short for what I wanted.(but I am taller and bigger than average). You can find good brands that are more conservative and less fitted and trendy at such stores(like REI in the USA). Brands such as Columbia and Ex officio are good. I would stay away from trendy, low cut styles as you won’t wear them much and you won’t be able to afford the space in your pack.
I would also stay away from “travel knits” that seem to be marketed to an older group of women travelers(the not 20 year old group).These are just going to be too clingy for what you’re going to be doing. If you like that style, bring one top in that material as your “nice” top. Make sure one of your other shirts can be worn as a “jacket” over it.,or that it is a bit looser than you would normally wear.
Do not bring any cotton clothing, unless it is a poly blend. You will need clothes you can take care of easily, like poly or nylon. Bamboo is a nice quick drying material also.
I had excellent results with the following companies ONLINE:
Ex Officio
Macabi Skirt
Horny Toad
Athleta
Title Nine
Wintersilks
Travelsmith
LLbean
Tilley Endurables
Cabelas for women
Activa for Women
Rei outlet
Campmor outlet
Red rock outfitters
Columbia online(will link you to stores with the item you want)
Royal Robbins
I have also heard that the plus size company Junonia makes active-wear clothes that work well for travel.
#5. SHOULD YOU SPEND THE MONEY ON “TRAVEL CLOTHES”? PROBABLY, YES.
I think this depends not so much on preference,but more to what you’re going to be doing. If I was working in a place where my clothes would be in tatters quickly, I would use old clothes on my trip. The key would be that they would need to be easy to take care of. The key is that you bring things that will not take hours to dry and that can take the abuse you’re about to give them. Unfortunately, quality clothes cost money. I found some deals on sale at REI, CAMPMOR,etc.
Some people may not want to buy or spend alot of money on clothing for their trip. This is fine if you think you can replace things easily. Personally, I don’t want to bothered trying to find replacements as I travel, and I want things that are designed to be worn and washed, stuffed in a bag, and will last.They make amazing clothes now out of high performance fabrics that wash and dry quickly-think about the conditions you are travelling in, and be realistic. You can always buy things locally to spice it up a little!
#6. Use compression bags. These are the best packing tool for me-because they allow me to go carry on and bring the clothes I want. I use two bags from Eagle Creek(found at REI)..don’t use cheap compression bags. You will need two medium sized bags for the list below. You will shocked at what a difference using these will make in what you can fit in your carry-on.
#7. Your health is the most important thing to pack for-do your research carefully to make sure you are prepared, and bring enough of whatever supplies you will need, EVEN IF IT MEANS not bringing as many clothes,etc.
To see my actual packing list of what I am actually bringing, please go to the post on October 16th, 2007 titled “The Real Life Test…” on this blog. thanks!
Tags: 1, packing list
illuminate.gigi
basement remodel denver
Buy a great basement finishing denver that are available and ready to go now in addition at the best price today only!
basement finishing parker co
Purchase a great basement remodeling denver co that’s available and ready to start and at the best price today only!
basement contractors denver
Purchase a fantastic denver basement remodel that is available and ready to start and currently available today only!
basement finishing denver
locate a wonderful Affordable Basement Finishing Company that’s available and ready to start and at great prices today only!
finishing a basement ideas
Buy a wonderful basement contractor denver that’s available and ready to start and reasonably priced today only!
best essential oil for anxiety
Buy here highest quality organic therapeutic grade essential oils currently available plus at the best price. Get it here now!
basement finish denver
locate a fantastic basement finishing companies denver co that are available and ready to go now and reasonably priced today only!
how to ease anxiety
Get now 100% pure Aroma Sense Essential Oils currently available plus reasonably priced. Get it here now!
essential oils for relaxation and sleep
See here 100% pure pure therapeutic essential oils currently available and at great prices. Get it here now!
how to finish a basement wall
locate a fantastic Affordable Basement Finishing Co that is available and ready to start and currently available today only!
denver basements
Buy a wonderful elkstone basements that is available and ready to start and on sale today only!
essential oils for health
See here 100% pure Organic Aroma Sense currently available now plus on sale. Get it here now!
Find Out Now
locate a wonderful how to finish a basement wall that’s available and ready to go now and reasonably priced today only!
essential oils for panic attacks
See here the most pure certified organic essential oils currently available now and at the best price. Get it here now!
finishing a basement ideas
Purchase a fantastic colorado basement finishing cost that are available and ready to start and currently available today only!
essential oil remedies
Get now 100% pure organic essential oils near me that’s available now plus on sale. Get it here now!
basement finishing cost calculator
locate a great finished basements denver that is available and ready to go now and reasonably priced today only!
how to use lavender oil for anxiety
Buy here pure organic therapeutic grade essential oils that are available in addition at the best price. Get it here now!
natural anxiety
See here highest quality bergamot and lavender blend that are available now plus reasonably priced. Get it here now!
basement finishing colorado
locate a wonderful Affordable Basement Finishing Co currently available and ready to go now and reasonably priced today only!
essential oils for relaxation
See here pure pure therapeutic essential oils currently available now in addition on sale. Get it here now!
See This
Buy a fantastic basement remodeling denver that’s available and ready to go now in addition reasonably priced today only!
essential oils for panic attacks
Buy here 100% pure organic essential oils kit that are available now in addition currently available. Get it here now!
essential oil for anxiety
Get now highest quality pure essential oils wholesale that’s available in addition currently available. Get it here now!
home additions denver
locate a fantastic Find Out Today currently available and ready to go now in addition reasonably priced today only!
natural anxiety
Get now highest quality pure essential oils wholesale that’s available plus currently available. Get it here now!
helpful to read. I cant wait to read more from this site.
Interesting and amazing how your post is! It Is Useful and helpful for me That I like it very much, and I am looking forward to Hearing from your next
But wanna tell that this is very helpful
Thank you very much for sharing this very useful information, I am very happy to have found this information that I have been looking forتهیه بلیط پرواز خارجی
what essential oils are good for depression
See here 100% pure certified pure therapeutic grade essential oils that’s available plus on sale. Get it here now!
Get Access
See here 100% pure Aroma Sense Essential Oils that are available in addition at great prices. Get it here now!
how to ease anxiety
Buy here the most pure organic therapeutic grade essential oils currently available in addition on sale. Get it here now!
cure anxiety
See here highest quality organic pure essential oils that’s available plus on sale. Get it here now!
best quality quartz clock movements
Buy amazing replacement parts for battery operated clocks that are available and now in stock in addition currently available get it now only!
replacement clock parts
locate the best battery operated quartz clock movements that are available and now in stock and on sale get it now only!
Clock kit parts
Purchase amazing clock movement kit that is available and now in stock in addition at the best price get it now only!
natural anxiety
Get now the most pure pure organic essential oils that’s available now and currently available. Get it here now!
cure anxiety
See here pure purest organic essential oils that’s available now in addition currently available. Get it here now!
clock dials
locate the best clock kit suppliers currently available and now in stock in addition reasonably priced get it now only!
essential oils for depression
See here 100% pure organic pure essential oils currently available now in addition on sale. Get it here now!
essential oils for stress
Buy here 100% pure Organic Aroma Sense Oils that are available in addition currently available. Get it here now!
clock building kit
Buy the best clock motors that are available and in stock and at the best price get it now only!
replacement clock parts
locate amazing clock parts suppliers currently available and now in stock in addition reasonably priced get it now only!
best essential oils for stress and anxiety
Buy here the most pure bergamot and lavender blend currently available in addition currently available. Get it here now!
stress relief essential oil
Buy here highest quality Organic Aroma Sense currently available now and on sale. Get it here now!
clock motors
Purchase amazing aa battery clock movement kits that is available and in stock in addition reasonably priced get it now only!
essential oils for relaxation and sleep
Get now the most pure organic aromatherapy oils that are available now and currently available. Get it here now!
clock part
Purchase the best diy clock kit that is available and in stock in addition on sale get it now only!
clock hands
locate the top clock movement kit that is available and now in stock in addition at great prices get it now only!