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
essential oils for health
Get now 100% pure bergamot and lavender blend currently available and at great prices. Get it here now!
clock mechanism kit
locate amazing clock parts that is available and in stock in addition at great prices get it now only!
best quality quartz clock movements
Buy amazing clock kit manufacturer that is available and now in stock and at the best price get it now only!
anxiety treatments
Buy here pure therapeutic grade essential oils currently available now in addition at great prices. Get it here now!
read more
Purchase amazing clock movements currently available and in stock in addition at great prices get it now only!
clock movement kit
Buy amazing clockkits that’s available and now in stock in addition on sale get it now only!
clock mechanisms
Purchase the best clock mechanisms that’s available and now in stock and at the best price get it now only!
essential oil for anxiety attack
See here 100% pure pure therapeutic grade essential oil currently available and on sale. Get it here now!
essential oils for relaxation
See here highest quality See More that are available in addition reasonably priced. Get it here now!
clock mechanisms
locate the best clock kit that is available and in stock and at the best price get it now only!
clock dials
locate the best wholesale clock parts that are available and now in stock and currently available get it now only!
Aroma Sense Anxiety Relief
Get now the most pure organic essential oils kit currently available and at great prices. Get it here now!
clock parts
locate the top clock inserts that’s available and now in stock and on sale get it now only!
large clock kit
Purchase the best clock movements wholesale currently available and in stock and on sale get it now only!
clock kits
locate amazing diy clock kit that is available and in stock in addition reasonably priced get it now only!
clock mechanism kit
locate amazing clock replacement parts that are available and in stock in addition currently available get it now only!
clock replacement parts
Buy amazing clock movements that’s available and now in stock in addition at great prices get it now only!
anxiety cure
Get now highest quality certified pure therapeutic grade essential oils that are available now plus currently available. Get it here now!
clock Kit
Buy the top battery operated quartz clock movements that is available and now in stock and at great prices get it now only!
where to buy quartz clock movements
locate the top clock parts that are available and now in stock in addition on sale get it now only!
clock motors
Buy the best clock kit suppliers that is available and now in stock in addition on sale get it now only!
essential oil for anxiety attack
Buy here the most pure See More Today that are available and currently available. Get it here now!
clock inserts
locate the best battery operated quartz clock movements that is available and in stock in addition at great prices get it now only!
replacement parts for battery operated clocks
Purchase the best clock movement kit that’s available and now in stock in addition reasonably priced get it now only!
aa battery clock movement kits
locate the top clock parts that’s available and in stock in addition currently available get it now only!
clock kits
Purchase amazing clock parts that is available and now in stock in addition on sale get it now only!
clock accessories
Buy the best Large clock kits currently available and in stock in addition on sale get it now only!
stress relief essential oil blend
Buy here 100% pure pure organic essential oils that’s available now in addition reasonably priced. Get it here now!
Large wall clock kits
Buy the best clock hardware that is available and now in stock and on sale get it now only!
clock hands
locate amazing clock kit parts that are available and in stock and on sale get it now only!
clockkit
Purchase amazing Clock kit parts that are available and in stock in addition at great prices get it now only!
clock parts
Purchase the best clockkit that’s available and in stock and reasonably priced get it now only!
battery operated quartz clock movements
Purchase amazing clock kits currently available and now in stock and reasonably priced get it now only!
what essential oils are good for anxiety
See here 100% pure See More that are available now in addition reasonably priced. Get it here now!
essential oil blend for anxiety
Buy here highest quality pure therapeutic grade essential oil that’s available now and reasonably priced. Get it here now!
clock inserts
locate amazing clock hands that is available and now in stock and at the best price get it now only!
clock kits
Purchase amazing battery operated quartz clock movements currently available and now in stock and currently available get it now only!
clock motors
Purchase the top clock movement kit that are available and in stock and at great prices get it now only!
Large clock kits
Purchase the top clock movements that’s available and now in stock in addition currently available get it now only!
clock inserts
Buy amazing clock kits that are available and in stock in addition at the best price get it now only!
clock Kit
locate the top Large clock kits that are available and in stock in addition currently available get it now only!
wall clock kits
Purchase the best where to buy quartz clock movements that are available and now in stock and at the best price get it now only!
steel building contractors
Get fantastic steel building erectors that is available and now in stock and currently available today only!
Metal Buildings
Contract fantastic tenant improvements construction that are available and in stock and reasonably priced today only!
design build firms
Contract fantastic industrial construction services that is available and in stock in addition on sale today only!
tenant improvements contractor
Get great steel building erector currently available and now in stock and at the best price today only!
about this
Get fantastic metal building erection that is available and now in stock and at great prices today only!
facility builders
Locate wonderful steel building contractors that are available and in stock and currently available today only!
steel building erectors
Get great tenant improvement contractor that is available and now in stock and reasonably priced today only!
metal building contractors
Contract great metal building erection that are available and in stock in addition reasonably priced today only!