My time as a PCV is winding down, so cue the obligatory service related posts...
In no
particular order, here are the twenty things that I couldn’t have lived without during
my Peace Corps service in Namibia.
1. Electrical tape.
With the power surges and
questionable wiring, things overheat/cook. (Mostly people will wrap melted
wires with plastic shopping bags). Thank
you, oh mighty UL (Underwriter’s Laboratory) listed electrical tape, from the
states. Accept no substitutes.
2. Seam ripper (and my sewing kit).
Vital for
anyone who sews (and for some who don’t). A stitch in time saves nine.
3. Isotonic side-sleeper pillow.
We’ve had a
lovely five years together. This is possibly the best relationship I’ve ever
been in. (Even though you were stupid expensive.)
4. 100% Rag Translucent Marker Paper.
Art supplies
this side aren’t often up to snuff. Bring what you can’t live without (within
reason).
5. Uniqlo paisley boho drawstring pants.
Most
versatile item of clothing that I brought with me. Thank you Kristen, for
insisting we stop at Uniqlo on my last trip to NYC. I bow to your wisdom.
6. Bandannas/handkerchiefs.
Ladies in my
village were horrified that I was blowing my nose into these beauties, instead
of wrapping up my hair. (I’m allergic to dust.) Now my kids carry them.
Bringing back the hanky. Oh yeah.
7. Leather belt.
You will be told that this will mold in the tropics (and that the buckle may rust)... It might. But plastic melts, and canvas belts are difficult to take seriously.
8. Dual-sided bathroom mirror.
I’m not sure
if they make glass out of tissue paper here… ?
9. Pumice stone.
Your feet
will get wrecked. And the “pumice” stones this side are no such thing.
10. Mini Moleskine journals.
I love my biggun,
but there is nothing like being able to whip one out of my purse or pocket on
the fly before some random thought floats on by.
11. Green Pilot V5 rolling ball pens.
Staedtler, you’re
a distant second… Pilot has my heart.
12. Assorted Baggu shopping bags and stuff
sacks.
Shopping and
packing made easy by Baggu. I brought solid colors (though I longed for their
feisty patterned ones) and they’re starting to fray a bit, due to the use, but
I figure, they’re what, seven years old? Solid buy.
13. ACLU bottle cozy.
Protecting
freedom, justice, equality, and my beverage. (Thanks, Maureen!)
14. Timbuk2 backpack (plus bottle opener).
Sure, I bought
it because it was blue and had a bottle opener (plus a sleeve for my Ultrabook…)
but the make and durability of this thing is amazing. Travelling abroad? Buy
one.
15. Dell Ultrabook w/ 500GB hard drive (w/ Windows
7).
Windows 8 is
the worst. Should I be terrified that I just reserved Windows 10 on my pc?
Also, everyone is ecstatic about their external hard drive until it gets stolen
(or it dies.) I kind of like that I have to triage my movie selection. And,
really, why do I need more than 250 GB of space reserved for films? (Though
next time I’m throwing down for steady state. You know it.)
16. Leatherman.
As long as
you never let it out of your sight (and subsequently out of your possession)
this will be the single most useful tool in your arsenal. (Apologies to my
cousin, to whom I never sent a thank you note… I’m an ass).
17. Full-length cotton bathrobe.
I’m not big
on pajamas, so this thing has allowed for modesty (and warmth) time and again.
18. ACE ankle braces.
Dancing (and
cheerleading) nearly killed the tendons in my ankles, but these suckers kept me
upright while conquering mountains and massifs in sneakers (Columbia) when the
tread on my hiking boots (Keens) failed after a single month. [1]
19. Scunci bun twists.
You may have
heard, but it’s hot in Africa in the summer… and I’ve got hypo-hydrosis (and
lots of tresses.) These twists saved me from heatstroke many a time, simply by
keeping my hair up, where all other hairbands and clips have failed.
And last,
but not least…
20. Diva Cup.
I remember
sitting with my friend Erica and giggling over the advertising copy for this
little silicone cup. But now, I wonder – how did I ever use disposable
feminine products for that long? Ladies of
childbearing age (home or abroad), seriously, check 'em out.
Honorable mentions:
My Nikon (though
I had to buy another lens in Namibia after a series of technical difficulties) and my Fuji
Instax. A thank you to my ex. You only ever gifted me with electronics (and little black dresses) because you
never knew any better… But, whatever, thanks booger.
[1] In
Keen’s defense, the canvas mary janes that I purchased as dress shoes are the
ugliest, but absolutely the best, shoe purchase I’ve made in years. I walk 4-6km
every weekday and teach in ‘em. Just avoid the boots, yo.