The Packing List

Well, now it seems as though I’m bringing a lot more than I need to. But I have these things – I may as well bring them! The good news is that I will leave some behind and have room for things I buy there or afterwards. Nice T-shirts – three from Morocco and three I’ve acquired since and have been wearing. The T-shirt from the 5K I ran here and shorts to use as pajamas, and another pajama-intended T-shirt set. Two pairs of Moroccan pants and three skirts I wore in Morocco. Two quick-dri capris I wore in Morocco and a nicer pair that I’ve acquired since. A windbreaker I rescued from the storage space and a lightweight sweater I bought this week (I am not expecting air-conditioning where I live or work, but maybe I can use it on the plane – and maybe I will use it a lot more than I think). One fun gauzy shirt and one long-sleeved blouse.

Undies, bras, socks – all worn in Morocco (when I come back I may get all-new! Or maybe while I am in the Philippines!). An old bathing suit and a new one that I bought this spring. Running shoes and running clothes – I was wavering about these but am glad I decided to bring them. Tevas for everyday wear and Merrell thongs to wear around the living quarters. Several bags – in addition to the big suitcase, the rolling bag and the backpack (and the aforementioned ski lock) – a fanny pack for running, a reusable bag, a money pouch to hide under clothes, plus my pocketbook.

Books that aren’t in the mail – Culture Shock Philippines, Lonely Planet Philippines, one pleasure book, a couple of crossword books. Books that are – Rough Guide to Southeast Asia, a couple of other travel books, a pleasure book. Tagalog dictionary and a good map of the Philippines. I won’t detail the toiletries and cosmetics other than to mention my discovery of 2009 – the neti pot. How did I live without one for so long?

A few magazines – New Yorker and Real Simple. A lot of DVDs – my friend Gary TiVoed every Survivor and Amazing Race episode while I was away. I really could have used them in Morocco, but he didn’t transfer them to DVD until I got back. So I probably won’t have time to watch them at all! But I’d like to. The Amtrak cross-country schedule, so I can think about my trip home.

A couple of hats. An umbrella. My spare pairs of eyeglasses. “Don’t care if I lose it” jewelry, as the Philippines Welcome Book put it. Camera, computer, USB drive, address book, calendar, some pens and paper. Decks of cards and teeny-tiny Boggle. A Circle Line souvenir picture of my nieces and me that was left behind when my sister and her family moved to a new apartment. And last but not least, my ultra-soft pillow.