a post for the new JM volunteers

This post is intended for the next group of Peace Corps Jamaica volunteers and is an aside to the flurry of postings on the facebook wall for PCJM.

Some thoughts on what to bring and what to bring it in.

Luggage does not matter that much. After you unpack, your checked luggage will go into a closet or under your bed and you will not think about it until you go home.

That said, soft luggage is always better than hard luggage. I am particularly fond of the army surplus "parachute bags" that are inexpensive, durable, and large. I packed in one of these, plus an eagle creek travel backpack I originally got for backpacking around Europe. You could also pack in backpacking hiking bags but you risk damaging the frame and all the straps and fastex etc. Simpler is better. Some people like wheely bags. I am generally not a big fan. Designer luggage is a waste of money, but cheap luggage that falls apart on you is even worse. Durability is worth paying for, but inexpensive options exist.

My carry-on bag (and the bag I use when I travel around the island) is a messenger backpack made by Chrome Bags. It is the enormous "Sultan" messenger bag and I love it because it is streamlined, bombproof, and waterproof. Also sorta expensive (although not expensive looking). It might make me look a little more like a tourist but I don't worry about it too much. Osprey gives PCVs discounts and they make some great backpacks and shoulder bags so that might be a cheaper option than Chrome. Messenger bags are more socially acceptable than backpacks here, so you might want to get a largish one as your carry-on. Keen makes some nice bags. Ditto Timbuk2 (horrible colors though). Keen offers a great discount to PCVs. I think Timbuk2 does as well. I am trying to get a pro-deal from Chrome but so far, no luck.

For your "personal item" you can do whatever. I brought a camelbak backpack when I went to Ghana. If I had known I was coming to Jamaica I probably would have brought a not too large shoulder bag because they are more socially acceptable than backpacks around here. I use the backpack though, and it is fine.

In my opinion, these are the things that all volunteers serving in all hot countries should bring with them no matter what. Actually, except for the sandals and maybe the hammock (although I have used my hammock in freezing conditions), this list is global. You should note that I am a dude, and there might be some indispensable items for ladies but I am not aware of what they are.
************** begin essentials list ************

A thermarest sleeping pad. I like the full length one, but the 3/4 is fine too, especially if you are short.
A hammock. I love my hennessy hammock. And they give discounts to PCVs. ENO hammocks are good too. Not a fan of the Byer brand. The ENO slapstrap is awesome.
Two 32oz nalgene bottles.
A pair of chacos or tevas. I prefer chacos. The literature says not to bring these. You will be happy you did bring them.
Some very good glue. A bottle of gorilla glue, a tube of shoe goo, and a tube of krazyglue should get you out of most trouble. You can get some of this stuff here, but not all of it.
Lots of pictures of your friends/family/favorite places from home.
A headlamp.
Lots of earplugs if you are a light sleeper.
Some ex-officio or under-armour underwear. Ex-officio offers a screaming discount and their products are fantastic.
Some music.
A few books. We have lots of books here and we trade them all the time. Also, books are eligible to be shipped via "m-bags" so you can get a bunch of books shipped to you relatively cheaply. Peace Corps is a great time to get up on your reading and read some epics you have meant to read for a long time (Infinite Jest, Don Quixote, War and Peace(corps) are all favorites).
A couple sarongs, or kikhois, or "two-yards" or something. Go to a fabric shop and get a couple two yard long pieces of cotton fabric. When you are traveling you will use these as a sheet, blanket, pillow, towel, bindle etc.
If you wear glasses, then a prescription pair of sunglasses is indispensable. Some optics companies offer a PC discount, but I am not sure which ones.
Having a computer is great. Netbooks are small, cheap, and are probably a better choice than a fullsize lappy. That said, if you were not planning on buying a new computer then bring the one you have. You can also do fine with no computer, but it is nice to have for sure.
*********** end essentials list***********

Some other stuff to think about.

If you like to write letters, bring some "forever" stamps. You can send mail to the US through the embassy and these stamps will save you on postage. Because they are forever, they will work throughout your time here regardless of postage rates in the US.

The birds here are awesome. Bring binoculars if you are into that sort of thing.

If someone brings "The Settlers of Catan" game that person will achieve instant canonization in the cult of Raz.

One last note:

Peace Corps is challenging in ways you cannot even imagine. You will have bad days. Sometimes you will have bad weeks. While you are at this point in the process (the "ohmygodIamsoexcitedholyshitholyshit!" phase) take a few minutes and write down why you are doing this. Write something similar to the essay you wrote when you applied to PC, but make it just for you. When you have a bad day you can look at this letter and be reminded what inspired you to join peace corps in the first place. This sounds corny and stupid. I assure you it is a worthwhile exercise.