I did it! I’m all packed and ready to go, with no time at all to spare. Tomorrow is the big day: I head to Philadelphia in the morning, where I will have my orientation with the rest of my cohort before flying off to Zambia.
Let me tell you, packing for the Peace Corps is no small feat. First the gear was shopped for. My dad and I pored through reviews and blogs, consulted experts at stores, and compiled ever-changing lists of the things we thought I’d need. After I (finally) got my legal clearance, we went into a manic state wherein we purchased everything. Clothes came together in a much less organized manner, buying a few things here and a few things there.
In my last post, I mentioned my party but I didn’t mention the absolute gift of having so many friends and family in town for about a week to visit and fill up my heart before I go. We spent the week soaking in the best of Sonoma county….which meant that I wasn’t focused on packing up my life.
With everyone on the next leg of their trip or back home by Thursday, I finally had the time to dig in and really get started. As all my new goodies arrived, we tossed them into the back room until it was time to get them into suitcases. Yesterday, I went to Safeway and picked up some spices and snacks that will help me (a very picky eater) get accustomed to a new cuisine and have a taste of home with me.
I’ll be honest with you all, I had a couple of meltdowns in the past 3 days. From having to run out to Costco for a bigger suitcase because mine was smaller than I anticipated (Thanks/Sorry, Mom and Dad!), to having the same suitcase be 15 pounds over the limit and having to re-arrange and pare down, to just feeling totally overwhelmed knowing that I should have been done with this a week ago. The tears are gone now, and what I have left is a sight to behold: my life in 140 pounds or less.
I have a huge suitcase that holds my clothes, shoes, and some gear. Into a large blue duffel bag I have my hiking pack filled to the brim with gear, my bike panniers, and a few loose ends. My carry-ons are a day pack and roll-on suitcase with essential clothes and gear to hold me over until I’m a bit more stationary in about a week.
Should I have finished packing a week ago and not 16 hours before moving? Yes. Would it have prevented meltdowns and tears and exhaustion? Yes. Are my parents absolute angels for not getting frustrated with me about this procrastination and instead very loving and helpful? Yes. Was it really cool when I was writing out my luggage tags and got to write: “Reilly Briggs, US Peace Corps”? YES! Am I tired? YES! Am I done packing? YES! Am I excited beyond belief?! I think you know where I’m headed with that one.
Reilly in Zambia 