This is a post for new PCVs coming in July.
First of all, congrats on getting Madagascar! This is a great country to be a PCV in (and just in general). We're all anxiously awaiting your arrival! Here is a non-comprehensive packing list based on my experience through 10 months in-country. Check out some of the older packing lists on other blogs for more ideas!
Computer- Essential. Also, make sure it is in decent working order as Africa tends to be a place where computers die. Shouldn't be too big because you will be carrying it with you inside crowded taxi-brousses. Battery life isn't as important for Ed PCVs since you will almost all have electricity.
Hard drive- Not the kind that needs to be plugged in to work. And the bigger the memory the better. Would be great if it's pre-filled with new/good movies, TV shows, and music if possible! (Thanks in advance). We have some of the more popular TV shows out now, plus a lot of popular movies of the past couple of decades here. So you can get those from us when you get here :) But yeah, good new music would be really awesome.
Flash Drive- One or two with a couple of gigs of memory is sufficient.
Kindle- Wish I brought one, so am having my parents bring me one when they visit. There are a ton of kindle files on hard drives here, and you won't want to read them on your computer screen.
Shortwave Radio- I have electricity and decent internet from my house, but still love listening to the BBC every day. Get a decent one (mine is a Tecsun brand and works great).
MP3 Player- Clutch for long taxi-brousse rides. Ones that block out a lot of outside noise are much preferred.
Digital Camera- Whatever kind you prefer. Many PCVs have SLRs, so bring one if you're really into photography.
Pillow- Any but the rock hard ones in the spare room of your grandma's house are better than pillows here in Madagascar. I put mine in a backpacking compression bag and it didn't take up much room or weight. Worth its weight in gold during training alone.
Sleeping bag- Don't use mine often, but will when camping. Just good to have.
Clothes:
Yes, you can buy clothes here. But clothes shopping is not as easy or enjoyable here as in the US. So bring what you can and want to, but nothing you'd cry over if it got destroyed within your first month in country (it happens). Also, taller people have an even harder time finding clothes here, especially footwear. (I'm tall here at 5'10").
Comfy Clothes (for around the house)- Warm and cold weather versions.
Jeans- Wouldn't hurt to bring a few pairs. I brought two and they both have holes in them already (thanks Tana).
Dress Clothes- I wear American dress slacks, shirts and shoes when I teach here, though business casual is just fine. Bring several (5ish) shirts but only one or two ties. I don't know what girls wear when they teach, but for sure nothing they'd wear to a club.
Underwear- Lots of it. One PCV in my stage brought 90 pairs of underwear, which is excessive. But 20 is not. Synthetic fabrics dry fast which is pretty handy here. Also, I like wearing undershirts with dress shirts so I brought four or five. Girls should probably bring plenty of bras, just a guess.
Socks- Minimum five pairs each of dress and athletic socks. Once again, synthetic fabrics dry faster but aren't necessary.
Shorts- At least two pairs. I wish I had brought six. I wore shorts every day during the hot season and now my US pairs are both worn out.
Flip flops- Durable and with good support. Crappy ones are easily obtained here.
Other Shoes: Hiking boots, cross-trainers, nice sneakers, and dress shoes.
A Good Knife- They all suck here.
Flashlights (small is fine)
American Candy/Snacks- You will want this during training, no matter what you think now. For guys, bring beef jerky or other protein-rich snacks, as the rice diet during homestay will make you really hungry. Oh and guys, eat as much as possible before leaving the US. You will probably lose 10 pounds during training.
Alright that's what I can think of for now. I probably forgot something, or included something you won't bring. That's okay, use your best judgment. And feel free to ask ANY question you may have while preparing to leave. Enjoy your last few weeks at home, eat/drink as much as possible of your favorites, and get here safely!
Tongava soa! (Bon voyage!)
