Since being invited to serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer the question has been banging at my door. What do I bring? With only 2 checked bags totaling 80 100 lbs the list will have to be rather limited. I, like any good future PCV (Peace Corps Volunteer), have poured over packing lists, read every little detail I can about Zambia and even sought advice from current volunteers. However I think it's one of those things that you really won't ever get right or feel like you made all the good choices. But alas that's the joy in life. Right? What fun would the unknown be if it was truly known?!
For the control freak in me this presents a challenge. But for the adventurer in me I think "what will I MacGyver up with my limited resources?"
It's funny how the prospect of putting everything you are and will be in two bags brings out the true nature of a person. My first reaction: "psh it's like camping for 2 years, no biggie." My second reaction: "What only 2 bags? How will I bring all the things I need to live and cloth myself?!" And by now I'm about to the point where I just want to collect all the things on my ever growing list, see what fits, and start making the cuts. As a RED Volunteer (Rural Education Development) I have to dress somewhat nice including knee length skirts and collared shirts, all the while considering the killer African heat!
So right now I'm in the process of gathering what I think will be most valuable during the next 27 month chapter of my life and tossing the rest.
As daunting as the task of packing only two bags sounds; the task of downsizing from a 2 bedroom home to a few boxes sounds even more frightening. While I'm not looking forward to the task of downsizing my life I am looking forward to the experience of cleansing myself of all my stuff aka junk. Yes I know I love the little monkey that so and so gave me as a gift on my 10th birthday, but these sentimental and emotional trinkets are weighing me down, literally! I think for me there is a fear that without the item I won't retain the memory. But when I really think about it there are so many more great things waiting to fill the memory and trinket bucket if I will just let go off the old ones. So many new adventures waiting ahead, all to be carried out with 2 bags worth of "stuff."
So out with the old and in with the new, it's a crazy adventure waiting for you (well me but that didn't ryhme)!
For the control freak in me this presents a challenge. But for the adventurer in me I think "what will I MacGyver up with my limited resources?"
It's funny how the prospect of putting everything you are and will be in two bags brings out the true nature of a person. My first reaction: "psh it's like camping for 2 years, no biggie." My second reaction: "What only 2 bags? How will I bring all the things I need to live and cloth myself?!" And by now I'm about to the point where I just want to collect all the things on my ever growing list, see what fits, and start making the cuts. As a RED Volunteer (Rural Education Development) I have to dress somewhat nice including knee length skirts and collared shirts, all the while considering the killer African heat!
So right now I'm in the process of gathering what I think will be most valuable during the next 27 month chapter of my life and tossing the rest.
As daunting as the task of packing only two bags sounds; the task of downsizing from a 2 bedroom home to a few boxes sounds even more frightening. While I'm not looking forward to the task of downsizing my life I am looking forward to the experience of cleansing myself of all my stuff aka junk. Yes I know I love the little monkey that so and so gave me as a gift on my 10th birthday, but these sentimental and emotional trinkets are weighing me down, literally! I think for me there is a fear that without the item I won't retain the memory. But when I really think about it there are so many more great things waiting to fill the memory and trinket bucket if I will just let go off the old ones. So many new adventures waiting ahead, all to be carried out with 2 bags worth of "stuff."
So out with the old and in with the new, it's a crazy adventure waiting for you (well me but that didn't ryhme)!
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