Ethiopian Adoption Travelogue

June 15, 2006

Packing List - Used, Unused, Forgotten

Filed under: Misc — by sackrosanct @

This is not a comprehensive list, just an overview of the highlights. 

Used

  • All my pants and shirts.
  • Crystal Light packets
  • Deodorant.  I wish I would've brought the spray kind.  Then I could've doused my sweaty, drippy back also.
  • Sunscreen
  • Zip-up hooded jacket.  It was nippy in the mornings sometimes.
  • Toys.  The guesthouse was pretty bare of toys during my stay.
  • Camera batteries.  I used the expensive AA Lithium ones.  After losing a set because my camera kept getting bumped into the ON position, I removed the batteries when not in use.
  • Bibs.
  • Sports bottles (like a bicycle water bottle).  It was really nice at the care center because I could share my water with the kids without worrying about floaties/backwash.  It was also easy for my 19 month old to use.
  • Washcloths 

Unused

  • Mosquito spray.  But, I should've used it when I went South since I didn't take malaria meds.
  • Swimsuit.
  • Pedialyte (left it at the guesthouse)
  • Hats (sunhat and baseball cap) 
  • Most of the firstaid kit (fortunately).  I did bust out some bandaids and antibiotic ointment when I cut myself on a razor.

Forgotten (or maybe foolishly-chose-not-to-take)

  • Flashlight.  The electricity will more than likely go out at some point.  Maybe just for a few minutes.
  • Notebook/journal.
  • Sunglasses
  • Voltage converter.  I used the one left at the guesthouse for recharging my videocam battery, but I was worried.  It says not to use it with electronic equipment (only for heating equipment) and I could feel electricity leaking out of my camera as I held it while it was being charged.  And, yes, I am the Safety Manager at my job and would probably kick someone's butt if they tried that here.
  • Sling.  (But, I did take a stroller.  The stroller sort of worked, but not really. The roads/traffic are just not conducive to strollering.  However, the stroller was a lifesaver in the airports.) It is just not that easy to carry/move around a 27 pound kid when your muscles are not conditioned and you don't have a baby backpack or something.

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