Below is the suggested packing list for Peru given to me by Mr. Welcome Book via the Peace Corps. If anyone has any suggestions, let me know!
General Clothing
-3-4 pairs of casual pants for work
-2 or more pairs of jeans
-2 pairs of shorts
-bathing suit
-skirts and/or dresses
-collared polos and blouses
-one casual, nice outfit (for evenings out)
-underwear (12 pairs, good-quality cotton)
-long underwear
-socks (just enough to get started, as they are available in Peru; it is recommended that some be high performance wool socks for colder sites)
-light, waterproof jacket
-fleece jacket and/or vest with hood
-Down or heavy jacket suitable for higher altitudes
-1-2 sweaters
-1-2 sweatshirts
-1 pair of sweatpants
-baseball cap or wide-brimmed hat (the Peruvian sun is fierce!)
Shoes
-1 pair of dress or professional shoes
-1 pair of sneakers
-hiking books and/or sturdy walking shoes
-1 pair of running shoes (if you run)
-flip-flops or sandals
Personal Hygiene and Toiletry Items
-strong sunglasses (with UV protection and polarized)
-start-up supply of soap, shampoo, and other personal toiletries
- Hand sanitizer
-tampons (they are more expensive in Peru)
-any favorite brands of sunscreen or other over the counter medicines (the Peace Corps provides needed items, but they may not be your preferred brands)
-Towels
Miscellaneous
-Sturdy, small backpack or duffel bag (with a lock) for short trips
-multi-tool travel knife
-A pair of work gloves
-fanny pack or money belt
-photos of family, friends, your house, car, pets, and hometown
-stationary
-small computer speakers
-flashlight
-compact umbrella (available in Peru)
- Digital camera
-books to read and exchange
-Cassettes/CDs to listen to and exchange (also available in Peru)
- Travel water bottle
-watch
-duct tape and zip-close bags
-deck of playing cards
-small pocket notebook (widely available in Peru)
-Jar of favorite peanut butter
-favorite electronic items (either inexpensive or insured)
-a laptop computer (insured
-a USB flash drive
-an extra pack of batteries for electronic items (available but often more expensive)
-sleeping bag (light, stuffable, and preferably waterproof)
- 2 pairs of glasses
I'm thinking of adding to their list a battery operated charger, for various electronic devices, and a few desk type things if they fit (i.e. a few notebooks and a folder or two...maybe some markers)
I'll pack the cell phone I bought in Argentina in the hope that it will work in Peru. (cross my fingers)
I don't need must first aid stuff because they give that to us.
I will bring my external hard drive
mosquito netting to keep tarantulas out of my bed...
That's all i can think of at the moment.
Anyway, thought you might be interested to see what they suggested that I bring.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Today's Peace Corps Enigma
Ok. So I knew for quite a while that I was quazi screwed in the "packing" department, but now it has just gotten ridiculous. When I say ridiculous, I should just emphasize that the ambiguity of the life I have signed up for for 2.25 years of my life has pushed me to borderline lunacy, and I now just find it all hilarious. It is my unknown, ridiculous, ambiguous, enigmatic, frustrating, crazy, daring, stupid, exciting adventure. At this point, I'm just amused. Always amused and somewhat scandalized, for lack of a better word.
Here's the thing. I am going to Peru, but I have no idea if I will be on the coast, in the Andes, or in the Amazon. Peru is apparently 3 times the size of California, and therefore includes an outrageous number of extremely different environments/climates. As my "Welcome Book" states, I could be in the desert that borders the Pacific, highland valleys, treeless plains, the ANDES (read: SNOW), to tropical jungle. Yeah. Some places have rainy season, some places it doesn't rain at all.
Packing for two and a quarter years of my life is hard enough in two suit cases that can not be more than 107" total and collectively can not weigh more than 100 pounds. That's more than my students this summer pack for their 7 day conference. Ahem....yeah.
THEN throw in all that ridiculous ambiguity about what kind of climate I'm going to be living in, all of which require a different kind of wardrobe. Do I bring rainboots? Do I need to buy higher quality rainboots? What will I be able to buy in Peru? Do I need fleece jackets and parkas? Or do I need shorts and tank tops? Do I want mostly long jean pants and long sleeved shirts? Or do I want a bathingsuit and a really big hat? Do I want snow boots or flip flops? Wool blanket or mosquito netting? And on top of everything, if I don't pack something I find out I desperately need later, will anywhere in Peru have the kind of clothing I'm looking for that is big enough to fit my 5'10" fatass frame? Because as I've heard it, everyone there is either 5 feet or shorter...last time I checked I'm about a whole extra person taller and bigger around. I don't want to be the Gringa that has to wear a potato sack because nothing else can fit over her over-nourished inner tube, or the Blancita who has to fashion a bed sheet into a toga dress because everything else isnt long enough to cover her lady parts. I GOTTA KNOW WHAT TO PACK!!!
You get the idea.
BUT THEN. buuuuuuuut then. (channel Louis black for my tone here. If you don't know who he is, look him up on youtube, he's hysterical)
BUT THEN. Reading through my lovely little welcome book, I discover the following paragraph.
"In cities and larger towns, attire should be professionally casual - skirts or slacks for women, slacks and button-down shirts with collars for men. Work clothes at field or rural sites will be more informal - for example, men and women may wear jeans and boots."
...what do I do with that information? Jeans or skirts? do I need to buy slacks? do I need more dress pants? What if I get there and I'm somewhere rural. What do i do with all the nice pants I packed? Am I going to end up wearing the same damn pair of jeans every day? oi. I can smell myself already.
Why don't you just have your Mom ship you what you need?
Well, that's a great point, self. Let me explain the details that only complicate my current predicament.
This is what my welcome book has to say:
"All packages over half a kilo (1.1 pounds) or with a declared value of $100 or more will be assessed customs duty fees based on the value of the items enclosed. This is a time consuming process."
Good.
So, Mr. Welcome Book. What do you suggest I do to pack expertly for this crazy adventure?
"The climate impacts dress significantly."
well thank you captain obvious. Anything else to add?
"In warmer areas, men will wear shot-sleeved shirts and women, sleeveless blouses and dresses. In colder areas, men and women wear sweaters and jackets. It is best to bring a variety of clothing."
i hate you, Mr. Welcome Book and your contradictory/impossibly demanding message.
Here's the thing. I am going to Peru, but I have no idea if I will be on the coast, in the Andes, or in the Amazon. Peru is apparently 3 times the size of California, and therefore includes an outrageous number of extremely different environments/climates. As my "Welcome Book" states, I could be in the desert that borders the Pacific, highland valleys, treeless plains, the ANDES (read: SNOW), to tropical jungle. Yeah. Some places have rainy season, some places it doesn't rain at all.
Packing for two and a quarter years of my life is hard enough in two suit cases that can not be more than 107" total and collectively can not weigh more than 100 pounds. That's more than my students this summer pack for their 7 day conference. Ahem....yeah.
THEN throw in all that ridiculous ambiguity about what kind of climate I'm going to be living in, all of which require a different kind of wardrobe. Do I bring rainboots? Do I need to buy higher quality rainboots? What will I be able to buy in Peru? Do I need fleece jackets and parkas? Or do I need shorts and tank tops? Do I want mostly long jean pants and long sleeved shirts? Or do I want a bathingsuit and a really big hat? Do I want snow boots or flip flops? Wool blanket or mosquito netting? And on top of everything, if I don't pack something I find out I desperately need later, will anywhere in Peru have the kind of clothing I'm looking for that is big enough to fit my 5'10" fatass frame? Because as I've heard it, everyone there is either 5 feet or shorter...last time I checked I'm about a whole extra person taller and bigger around. I don't want to be the Gringa that has to wear a potato sack because nothing else can fit over her over-nourished inner tube, or the Blancita who has to fashion a bed sheet into a toga dress because everything else isnt long enough to cover her lady parts. I GOTTA KNOW WHAT TO PACK!!!
You get the idea.
BUT THEN. buuuuuuuut then. (channel Louis black for my tone here. If you don't know who he is, look him up on youtube, he's hysterical)
BUT THEN. Reading through my lovely little welcome book, I discover the following paragraph.
"In cities and larger towns, attire should be professionally casual - skirts or slacks for women, slacks and button-down shirts with collars for men. Work clothes at field or rural sites will be more informal - for example, men and women may wear jeans and boots."
...what do I do with that information? Jeans or skirts? do I need to buy slacks? do I need more dress pants? What if I get there and I'm somewhere rural. What do i do with all the nice pants I packed? Am I going to end up wearing the same damn pair of jeans every day? oi. I can smell myself already.
Why don't you just have your Mom ship you what you need?
Well, that's a great point, self. Let me explain the details that only complicate my current predicament.
This is what my welcome book has to say:
"All packages over half a kilo (1.1 pounds) or with a declared value of $100 or more will be assessed customs duty fees based on the value of the items enclosed. This is a time consuming process."
Good.
So, Mr. Welcome Book. What do you suggest I do to pack expertly for this crazy adventure?
"The climate impacts dress significantly."
well thank you captain obvious. Anything else to add?
"In warmer areas, men will wear shot-sleeved shirts and women, sleeveless blouses and dresses. In colder areas, men and women wear sweaters and jackets. It is best to bring a variety of clothing."
i hate you, Mr. Welcome Book and your contradictory/impossibly demanding message.
Monday, August 22, 2011
In case I die...
I have a form sitting in front of me, which I've just placed my signature on, which sort of gives me the heeby jeebies. It's my "Trainee/Volunteer Registration Form" for the Peace Corps. One section of this form is titled: NEXT OF KIN/DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVE
Below this title there is a bit of a section description. It says the following:
"Please provide the name and contact details of the family member or other person you would like ot name as your next of kin or designated representative. You must name one (and only one) person to be your next of kin/designated representative. The Peace Corps will notify this person in the even that you die, are incapacitated, or are otherwise unable to make decisions for yourself."
...in case I DIE????
well that's cheery. Love signing a form IN CASE I DIE.
what is this? the army? marines?
what happened to "In case of emergency"??
...in case i die.
fun stuff.
You know what is even more fun? The fact that in addition to that fun little statement, I have also been offered life insurance at a very low price. Yeah. Life insurance. When I asked my mom a few months ago if I should get the life insurance. She said, "Of course you should get life insurance."
"why mom?"
"Well if you die and I have to go all the way to Peru to get your body and drag you back to the US, i'll need funds to get there and back and deal with your body."
The peace corps is definitely doing its job to instill in me a sense of my own mortality.
Below this title there is a bit of a section description. It says the following:
"Please provide the name and contact details of the family member or other person you would like ot name as your next of kin or designated representative. You must name one (and only one) person to be your next of kin/designated representative. The Peace Corps will notify this person in the even that you die, are incapacitated, or are otherwise unable to make decisions for yourself."
...in case I DIE????
well that's cheery. Love signing a form IN CASE I DIE.
what is this? the army? marines?
what happened to "In case of emergency"??
...in case i die.
fun stuff.
You know what is even more fun? The fact that in addition to that fun little statement, I have also been offered life insurance at a very low price. Yeah. Life insurance. When I asked my mom a few months ago if I should get the life insurance. She said, "Of course you should get life insurance."
"why mom?"
"Well if you die and I have to go all the way to Peru to get your body and drag you back to the US, i'll need funds to get there and back and deal with your body."
The peace corps is definitely doing its job to instill in me a sense of my own mortality.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Dr. James Giordano & Neurobioethics: the ultimate mind-f**k
Dr. James Giordano has come to speak to our students at least once every conference for the last five years, two of which I have been around to enjoy. That means, at this point, I have see his lecture entitled, "Neuroethics: At the Intersection of Mind and Morality" seven times now. SEVEN. and I still love it. Part of it is that I love watching him steering the kids down this dark and windy road that is bioethics, manipulating their thinking and standing them on their heads with out ever really telling them that they are right or wrong. He is the ultimate "devil's advocate" throughout his whole lecture. I know what jokes are coming when, what few sentences he is going to do in German instead of English to grab and the students' attention again, and where he is going to break into one of his many silly accents. I know the lecture, but every time I sit in that lecture hall, I experience it a little differently. This guy literally BLOWS ME AWAY. He's this little italian New Yorker with a ridiculous NY accent who begins every lecture with, "this is not a speech impediment, it's just my New York accent." He has a shiny bald head, an immaculately kept little black and grey speckled goatee, and kind eyes. He has done soooo much stuff. He was in the Marines, he spends half his time in Germany and half in the United States, he works on neuroweaponary research (that's literally what he said) and sometimes gives an insane lecture called "Are you a Cyborg? Biotechnology, the Future of Humanity, and Ethical Obligations of Science." He is the director for the Center of Neurotechnology Studies, he knows all sorts of crazy stuff about government projects, he works at Oxford, he has published a bunch of books on philosophy of neuroethics and stuff like that.
Word of advice: Check this dude out.
His website is (at least one of them) : www.neurobioethics.org
He also has a super amazing blog that I have been following at : http://neurobioethics.wordpress.com/
Seriously. Check him out. Good place to start is on this blog entry called "Prologue to Minority Report: Protecting the Majority from the Validity and Risks of Predictive Neurotechnology". It's about the potential ability to scan brains for predispositions for certain personality traits. For example, what are the implications if we can scan brains for a predisposition for sociopathy? What does that mean for us? So interesting.
After his most recent lecture, I waited until the end and asked him what he thought happened neurologically when you removed yourself from home and planted yourself for an extended period of time in another place and culture. I told him I was going to Peru and he got so excited. Apparently, complete immersion in a totally foreign place causes your brain to make a ton of new connections and networks, making you considerably smarter in a broad definition of the word. The way he put it was, "You know the phrase, 'to be worldly is to be wise'? Well, it's true. The more time you've spent abroad in different places, the more well connected your brain is, and the wiser and smarter you are." That is obviously a very elementary explanation of what he was trying to explain to me, but I thought it was an interesting question and a pretty cool answer. Thought I would share it with you!
You know what this means right?
Yeah, you're going to have to visit me so that you can get smarter too! haha
jk
but seriously, visit me.
Word of advice: Check this dude out.
His website is (at least one of them) : www.neurobioethics.org
He also has a super amazing blog that I have been following at : http://neurobioethics.wordpress.com/
Seriously. Check him out. Good place to start is on this blog entry called "Prologue to Minority Report: Protecting the Majority from the Validity and Risks of Predictive Neurotechnology". It's about the potential ability to scan brains for predispositions for certain personality traits. For example, what are the implications if we can scan brains for a predisposition for sociopathy? What does that mean for us? So interesting.
After his most recent lecture, I waited until the end and asked him what he thought happened neurologically when you removed yourself from home and planted yourself for an extended period of time in another place and culture. I told him I was going to Peru and he got so excited. Apparently, complete immersion in a totally foreign place causes your brain to make a ton of new connections and networks, making you considerably smarter in a broad definition of the word. The way he put it was, "You know the phrase, 'to be worldly is to be wise'? Well, it's true. The more time you've spent abroad in different places, the more well connected your brain is, and the wiser and smarter you are." That is obviously a very elementary explanation of what he was trying to explain to me, but I thought it was an interesting question and a pretty cool answer. Thought I would share it with you!
You know what this means right?
Yeah, you're going to have to visit me so that you can get smarter too! haha
jk
but seriously, visit me.
Positive Reinforcement
Walking up with the kids to the Georgetown Medical School building, a bunch of first year medical students who showed up on campus this week were walking by with their families. I think they had their "white coat" ceremony today, a big banquet-y thing where they get their first white coat with the Georgetown seal and their name in cursive. Everyone was dressed up super preppy and fancy. I saw a few moms wearing those ridiculous hats you see women wearing at horse races or in Pretty Woman. The first thing I thought was, thank God I'm not going here. Then, as I kept walking, a guy passed by me and he looked strangely familiar. It took me about a minute to place his face and then I realized it was Adam Money, a 2011 Yalie that I took premed classes with my freshman year. He was always the fratty athlete type, though I heard he met some Christian girl who completely turned him around. It was crazy to see him just walk by me, especially in a Georgetown sealed white coat! He looked more clean and put together than I had ever seen him. I barely recognized him without the fratty beer-reeking jersey, backwards baseball cap, and the ever-classy high white socks with sandals look. Though he hasn't lost the "my hair is too long because I forgot to get it cut...a year ago" look.
When we got to the med building I jumped on a computer and looked him up on facebook to be sure that it was actually him. He had Georgetown Medical School on his facebook. Once I knew it was him, a whole new feeling hit me. THAT COULD BE ME!? It was an insane feeling. I can't imagine going straight back to school right now. I am so nostalgic for Yale, and mourning my graduation, but I am not at all prepared to go to school for a career right now. It's insane that people my age are old enough to go to medical school and graduate schools, to have sophisticated jobs. It's crazy. And yet, I guess I am crazier than everyone because I'm not only going to have a job, but I'm going to live abroad in poverty. Yeah, I guess I'm the nut, but I would MUCH rather be doing that, I feel much more prepared for that, than graduate school and taking big strides towards my future career. I'm doing what I'm supposed to, what I'm ready for, what is right for me. It's nice to feel that way, to know that I was right. I would have died if I had gone straight to medical school. It's the shoe that doesn't fit me right now.
I don't really get why people go straight to vocationally focused graduate schools like law school and med school. You're going to be doing that career for the rest of your life...why rush it?
Don't worry. I'ma take my time! :)
When we got to the med building I jumped on a computer and looked him up on facebook to be sure that it was actually him. He had Georgetown Medical School on his facebook. Once I knew it was him, a whole new feeling hit me. THAT COULD BE ME!? It was an insane feeling. I can't imagine going straight back to school right now. I am so nostalgic for Yale, and mourning my graduation, but I am not at all prepared to go to school for a career right now. It's insane that people my age are old enough to go to medical school and graduate schools, to have sophisticated jobs. It's crazy. And yet, I guess I am crazier than everyone because I'm not only going to have a job, but I'm going to live abroad in poverty. Yeah, I guess I'm the nut, but I would MUCH rather be doing that, I feel much more prepared for that, than graduate school and taking big strides towards my future career. I'm doing what I'm supposed to, what I'm ready for, what is right for me. It's nice to feel that way, to know that I was right. I would have died if I had gone straight to medical school. It's the shoe that doesn't fit me right now.
I don't really get why people go straight to vocationally focused graduate schools like law school and med school. You're going to be doing that career for the rest of your life...why rush it?
Don't worry. I'ma take my time! :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)