Packing For Africa: Part 1

    In April, a container will be shipped to Malawi from Mississippi that will probably arrive sometime after I do in late July/early August. I am trying to keep a running list of all the things I will be packing. I know that many of you have spent some time living and traveling abroad, so I would love your feedback. Please leave a comment if you see anything that I am missing and you think would be helpful. I am essentially packing for two years to live in a place that does not have access to a lot of modern conveniences. If those conveniences are available they are expensive.

• Cookbooks with scratch recipes. I have the Joy of Cooking and Betty Crocker. Recommendations are welcomed (and needed, if you have had my cooking J)
• Clothing for pretty much the entire time I am there. It's hot!
• Extra socks and underwear as local detergents are harsh on clothing.
• Shoes (running, hiking, dress, walking, sandals)
• All medicines
• Contact lens cleaner solutions, saline (got to love Costco)
• Toiletries
• Tape – all types (random - apparently not readily available)
• Scissors
• Batteries and chargers – all types
• Flashlight
• Camera
• Teaching Supplies (that's a whole other list)
• Sunglasses, glasses, extra glasses (good thing my prescription has not changed in the last decade).
• Stamps
• Laptop, printer
• Smoke detector
• Water filters
• Head lamp – power outages average 3X/week
• Reusable containers, towels, napkins, bags
• One piece swimsuit (prefer one that isn't scary ugly)
• Book day costume (in lieu of a Halloween costume)
• Mosquito repellent
• Spices
• Good hair cutting scissors (nervous about what this implies J)
• Chocolate chips (very expensive)
• Electric kitchen supplies
• A good pot and pan (quality is hard to find)
• Water thermos/cooler

Interested in learning more about what to pack for Africa?  Check out these helpful posts.
     Packing For Africa:  Part 2
     Packing For Africa:  Part 3
     Packing For Africa:  Part 4