So here is a picture that explains why we called this blog "Tight Pants". This picture shows the popular style of guys wearing very tight, often stonewashed or white jeans. They are also break dancing in the picture, and tight pants are part of the dancehall dress for some males.

1. What type and brand of sleeping pad would you recommend? $100 seems to be a standard price for Therm-a-Rest. That is a lot of money, so is it worth it?

The brand of sleeping pad isn't too important but it is a very useful item to have. We got the store brand ones from REI and they were cheaper than Therm-a-Rest ones but work just as well. The self inflating types are more comfortable than just the foam pads. Also the smaller the pad the easier it will be to carry on buses which means you will be more inclined to use it.

2. What type and brand of a solar shower would you recommend?

We have a 5 gallon one from Wal-Mart and it holds enough water for both of us to shower and has lasted 2 years with moderate use. For a single volunteer you might want a smaller one because it will be easier to fill and hang. I don't really think brand matters too much as long as it looks sturdy.

3. How formal is "business casual"? Is a nice skirt and top okay, or should it be business suits?

Lots of Jamaican women wear suits to work so you wouldn't look out of place wearing one, but most volunteers don't and wear a blouse (button-down shirt) and skirt or slacks. It is pretty easy to have a suit made in Jamaica once you are here if that is what your agency requires.

4. What kind of work shoes do you recommend that will look nice enough but be comfortable? Must they really be closed toe?

The shoes don't have to be closed toe, but they shouldn't be flip flops or Teva/Chaco type sandals. I have found a few pairs from Naturalizer that have worked well.

- Kaelyn

1) What gifts would you recommend bringing for a host family? I've read that calendars, hard candy, and postcards are common, along with footballs and soccer balls.

I would just bring something small with you, like your favorite candy that you can share with them the first night or something. Then I would get to know the family better and buy them a gift before you leave, this way you can get them something you know they will like and use. Or maybe there will be something that you have that you want to leave behind with them, for instance we gave our family one of our DVDs because our host sister watched it over and over again while we were there.

2) What is something that you brought with you that you haven't used?

A raincoat, it was really hot to wear it and Jamaicans don't use them so I really felt like I stood out and looked silly. I brought it back to the States the first time I returned. A nice sturdy umbrella that you can fit in your bag and carry all the time is really a much better option.

3) What is something that you wish you brought had with you?

I've had tons of packages sent to me which has been really awesome. Here are a few of the things I have requested: towels (both quick dry and regular bath towels), a solar shower (really great when you have to take a bucket bath because you can get a better stream of water), a coffee grinder and french press, a good quality can opener, and a good quality kitchen knife.

4) What is the difference between a world band and an emergency crank radio? If there is a difference, which would you recommend bringing?

One main difference is the fact that you can crank the one to recharge it, so it would be better in a case when you had no electricity and you ran out of battery power. The other advantage of the hand crank radio is that many have a cell phone adapter so you can recharge your cell phone as well. I have both and the primary reason I got the crank one was for the cell phone adapter. Also the main advantage of the world band is that it has shortwave radio, but Jamaica gets tons of FM stations (including BBC) so you don't ever need the shortwave stations. I'd say go with the emergency crank kind.

5) Sleeping bags and sleeping pads...are they essential? I've heard that they are nice for sleeping during training.

We have sleeping pads and find them pretty handy because we go visit other volunteers a lot and have people stay at our place pretty often. All the floors in Jamaica are concrete covered with tile so having that extra cushion is really nice. I don't really find that a sleeping bag is too necessary, we usually just bring a sheet because it is easier to carry and most places aren't very cold.

6) I saw that you used a pack from REI. Did you have another bag to put the pack in for the flight?

We checked our backpacks as they were and just buckled and tied up all the straps and they got through fine. But there really isn't any advantage to having a backpack because you won't be able to travel very easily around the island with a backpacking backpack (and it makes you stand out which could make you a target for crime) so I would recommend bringing 2 duffel bags or suitcases for your checked bags because they will be easier to pack.

7) I've come across recommendations to bring a laptop to Jamaica, as it helps with work, keeping connected with friends, uploading pictures, etc. What are your thoughts on this? Would my work be at a disadvantage because I do not have something readily available to type up documents, research, and such? Are many PCV's in Jamaica bringing laptops?

Lots of PCVs in Jamaica have laptops and I know several volunteers who didn't bring one at first and either had a visitor bring them one or got one the first time they went home so I would definitely say it is an item in demand. We use ours a lot for music, games, movies, etc. And to do some work at home. We don't have internet at home but we just save things on a jump drive so that when we do get internet we can upload things quickly (definitely a concern if you are paying for internet). I think the biggest use of laptops among the volunteers I know is not to do work for their agency but to help fight the boredom at home.

I recently made my own revisions to the packing list that Peace Corps Jamaica sends to it's trainees. Here's what I would suggest you bring:

PACKING LIST

This list has been compiled by Volunteers serving in Jamaica and is based on their experience. Use it as an informal guide in making your own list, bearing in mind that experience is individual. There is no perfect list! You obviously cannot bring everything we mention, so consider those items that make the most sense to you personally and professionally. You can always have things sent to you later. As you decide what to bring, keep in mind that you have an 80-pound weight limit on baggage. And remember, you can get almost everything you need in Jamaica.

General Clothing

Men

The workplace (bring enough to last 2 weeks without washing):

• slacks (not jeans)

• shirts with collars (short-sleeved, lightweight button-down, wash-and-wear are best, polo shirts are acceptable)

• shoes: lace up leather (brown or black)

Fieldwork and Recreation wear:

• jeans (dark pants are preferable, as light colors show soil quicker)

• long shorts

• short-sleeved non button-down shirts and T-shirts Special Occasions (e.g., swearing-in ceremony, church, weddings, and funerals):

• lightweight suit or sport coat

• tie

• dress shoes Women

The workplace (bring enough to last 2 weeks without washing):

• mix-and-match skirts (no miniskirts)

• short-sleeved blouses (no spaghetti straps or low necks)

• slacks

• professional pantsuits

• shoes: black or brown closed toed with or without heelFieldwork and Recreational wear:

• lightweight pants or jeans

• capri pants

• T-shirts or polo shirtsSpecial Occasions (e.g. the swearing-in ceremony, church, weddings, and funerals):

• cocktail dress

• at least one formal or casually elegant outfits appropriate for church

• one or two pair of closed toe dress shoes and dressy high heeled sandals Other items to bring:

• Ball cap

• Belts (of any material except suede)

• Bandannas or handkerchiefs (widely available and cheap in Jamaica)

• Small collapsible Umbrella (Raincoat, optional)Shoes

Bring three or four pairs of shoes, including your work and dress shoes. They should all be comfortable and sturdy.. It is advisable to have more than one pair to allow for a day of “drying time.” Due to the high humidity, clothing and shoes do have a tendency to mildew. Although Birkenstock/Teva/Chaco-type sandals are nice to have for their comfort, they are not suitable for most professional situations.Personal Hygiene and Toiletry Items

• Travel-size toiletries for weekend trips

• Brush, comb, hand mirror, nail clippers, nail file, razor and blades

• Contact lens solution, if you wear contacts (it is available in Jamaica but is costly and hard to find)

• Three-month supply of any prescription drugs you take

• Feminine hygiene products—tampons, maxipads, and panty shields are available locally, but are a little more expensive than in the United States, so consider bringing a supply

• Hair dryer

• Hairpins, barrettes, etc.

• Inexpensive, lightweight bath towels, hand towels, and washcloths

• One beach towel or backpacking quick-dry towels

• Insect repellent (provided by Peace Corps, but bring if you have a preference)

• Sunscreen (provided by Peace Corps, but bring if you have a preference)Kitchen

• Basic cookbook or recipes for your favorite dishes

• Plastic containers (like Tupperware) ; available locally, but slightly more expensive

• Plastic storage bags in assorted sizes; available locally, but slightly more expensive

• Artificial sweetener (if you use it); available locally, but expensiveMiscellaneous

• Two pairs of prescription eyeglasses (if you wear them; photochromic lenses are recommended)

• Sunglasses (preferably with UV protection)

• Watch (inexpensive, durable, water-resistant) with extra batteries

• Satchel/Messenger bag and/or lightweight overnight bag (Volunteers often go on short, two- to four-day trips, so bring something you can comfortably carry on a crowded bus, backpacks tend to make volunteers stand out)

• Therm-a-Rest or other portable sleeping pad (for use when visiting other Volunteers)

• Duct tape

• Plastic water bottle (e.g., Nalgene) or canteen

• Earplugs for sleeping through loud music, roosters, and barking dogs

• Camera and extra film (available locally but expensive)

• World band radio (Portable AM/FM radios are available in Jamaica)

• CD player, or other music player with cord and batteries (especially important if you are not into listening to reggae and dancehall music all the time)

• Laptop Computer (if you have one, it is very useful)

• USB drive (very useful)

• Games (e.g., cards, backgammon, chess)

• Snorkel, mask, fins and swimming goggles (if you are so inclined)

• Hobby and craft supplies (available locally but expensive)

• Resource materials (e.g., textbooks, dictionary, thesaurus) and office supplies (e.g., small stapler, rubber bands, paper clips, scissors, tape, pens, markers); some host agencies will provide these, but others will not. You may want to prepare a box to be sent to you later if you find you need them.

Okay, so you are in the final countdown, and you've probably packed and repacked trying to get to your 80 pound limit, but here is one last suggestion. It comes from Logan, who will be a PCVL for Environment, so you will get to know him well. He's been on island two years now, lived through multiple hurricanes and Spanish town shootouts, so he knows the ropes. He says:

"The Eton FR300 is a awesome radio. It is battery/crank/AC adaptor (not

included) charged and the best thing is that is can charge your cell

phone too! This is great during hurricane season and the rest of the

year when there isn't light".

http://www.etoncorp.com/US/products/product.aspx?catID=3&subCatID=7&prodID=20

So even if you have someone send you this one in your

first care package, it's worth it!

Some more answers to questions posted:

Do you need adapters for the electric outlets? Or are they like the US outlets?

Power out of the sockets here is 120vA, 50Hz. The notable thing here is the 50Hz cycle speed. In the U.S., we use 60Hz cycle speeds. Normally, this has no effect on most electrical equipment. However, it affects anything that uses cycle speed to calculate timing. This is why plug-in clocks don't work here, they run alot slower than they should. There are a few other items that I have seen that have not worked as a result of the 50/60Hz difference, specifically Uninterruptable Power Supplies (UPS) from one manufacturer and some microwaves. Luckily, alot of Europe runs on 50Hz, so anything made for European markets works fine here. Most everything that isn't time sensitive works fine. The only other major factors are power outs and surges and in some areas, severe lightning. The Jamaica power grid fluxtuates especially in rural areas, with spikes and dips a constant occurance. Anything that is electronic should go through a surge supressor. Lightning is also a powerful effect that no surge suppressor I've owned has stopped. This just means you should unplug stuff if there is a storm.

Regarding backpacks. Can you elaborate on the satchel instead of backpack? What is a satchel and where can you purchase one?

Here is our satchel bag, hope these pictures help. This one is from L.L. Bean.

Is a money belt recommended?

I never used one, even though I brought one. They are very conspicuous, especially when you have to retrieve money from them.

Do I need bedding of some sort (i.e. sheets, pillows)? They never mentioned that stuff in packing lists, but i figure I'll be sleeping in some sort of bed.

Well, here's the thing about bedding. Your first two months will be in a host family home where sheets and pillows and pillow cases,etc, are provided for you. You should use these, as changing the sheets to your own is culturally inhospitable. BUT then you will have your own bed at your site. This will most likely be a 11 inch thick piece of foam, which is a standard jamaican bed (if you're a cheapskate you can get the 8 inch foam). The sheets available in Jamaica are all either polyester, 50%poly/50%cotton, have little to no elastic, and pill severely after a few washes. Our US sheets (100% cotton, high threadcount over 400) were cheaper than the polyester sheets available here. The fact that you can get a sheet in the US with elastic all around it is a big bonus because it stays on the foam pad nicely. So the recommendation is to bring a sheet set with you, preferably a dark color to hide stains, 100% cotton. Don't bother with pillows, blankets, etc, you can buy decent stuff in Jamaica. PLEASE don't bring the T-Shirt material sheets as they don't stand up to handwashing and they become too misshapen to stay on the bed.

Here are some answers to the questions posted in a comment:

Do you need adapters for the electric outlets? Or are they like the US outlets?

You don't need adapters for most appliances, but a small surge protector would be a good idea. We use a surge protector with our laptop, but no adapter other than the one that comes with the computer. Electric clocks do not work, so bring a battery-powered one.

Regarding backpacks. Can you elaborate on the satchel instead of backpack? What is a satchel and where can you purchase one?

By satchel, we mean an over the shoulder bag with one strap, such as a messenger bag. Men often carry black ones.

During work hours, what is appropriate to wear? Long sleeve or short sleeve or both?

I would bring mostly short sleeve, because that is what most Volunteers where in school and office settings, but a few long sleeve are handy for important meetings or formal events. Some guys brought suits for these formal events, whereas I just wore a tie and long-sleeved shirt.

Is a money belt recommended?

I used a money pouch for the first couple months until I got comfortable traveling. Now I just disperse money into different pockets and my shoes while traveling. So that is a personal preference.

Should you bring an iron? They are just so heavy.

You don't need to bring an iron. Your host family will have one for you to use during training, and then you can buy one down here. Also, other Volunteers who are completing their service often give their irons away.

Also can you wear guayaberas to work? Do you suggest long sleeves or short?

I wore my guyabera shirt yesterday. They are good office wear for men. Bring a couple because then you do not have to tuck your shirt in and you can be cooler. I have only seen people in Jamaica wearing short sleeve guyabera shirts, which they call "bush jackets" down here.

- Shane

I'm going to give you my best tips now on what kind of clothing you can bring to Jamaica as a man to :

a) Feel properly dressed for most occassions.

b) Remain relatively cool.

c) Not have to work horribly hard to remove stains.

d) Not go insane trying to get your clothes to look professionally pressed.

e) Be decently unobtrusive.

I have found that a key element to Obtrusive Harrassment Management And Negativity (OH-MAN) is a combination of your walking style, your posture and what your wearing. There may be some OHMAN possible from your ethnicity, I'm not quite sure of this one yet, still experimenting, but for sure, your clothes speak volumes until you get the walk and talk down. Volunteers who violently disregard this factor are constantly confused by the anti-tourist, let's call it rhetoric, they receive. Imagine however, that you are a local, of say, Key West, Florida, or New Orleans, Louisiana and it's Spring Break or Mardi Gras respectively. Imagine now that thousands of drunk, stupidly dressed people are gawking all over the place. The temptation to openly mock, and in some cases, take advantage of them, is overwhelming. You feel great doing it and it makes you feel really like your much cooler than these loser tourists. Besides, you never behave like a moron when you go visit their podunk village, why do they have to act like such idiots when they come to your super-cool hometown? This is what you face in Jamaica.

The key is, dress like you mean business, not vacation. Your "Beers of Wyoming" t-shirt, flip-flops and palm-tree print shorts DO NOT say "I'm here to do a serious job for two years and to help your communities with professionalism and taste". Especially if you walk around a town or city wearing something like that. Shorts are for dancehall kids, rude boys and tourists. You will not be mistaken for the first two. You can wear shorts around your immediate community when you are completely not in Peace Corps Volunteer mode, but otherwise, don't say I'd never said nothing.

So what flies? Here it is straight (a.k.a. what i've seen work, other things might, but this is zain)

1) Button shirts with a collar. I've found that cotton-synthetic blends work really well. They stay pressed, don't make you sweat profusely and wash out really well. My favorite shirt is a 65/30 Polyester/Cotton blend.

2) Polo shirts, sometimes. Polos are not really big in Jamaica unless they are part of a dress uniform and/or have some emblem embroided on the breast. The Peace Corps Polos work well. Regular polos are okay though.

3) Those Cuban shirts with four pockets and pincuffs. That is old-school fashionable, and old men will give you big ups. It's as good as wearing a shirt and tie.

4) Long-sleeve, not white, dress shirts, with a tie. Having the white collar is cool, so it having the collar the same color as the shirt.

5) Dress slacks. With a solid color shirt, this is the standard for presentable young professional men.

6) Khaki slacks. Also acceptable. This is what I almost exclusively wear.

7) Jeans. Jeans are sometimes acceptable, depending on what you do and where you are. Jeans should not be worn with a t-shirt.

8) Cargo Pants are sometimes acceptable also, although I'd not wear them to anything requiring the 'look'. They fly if your going to do some labour/engineering/computer lab work.

9) Black/Brown leather shoes. This is part of the male professional standard.

10) Brown work boots. This has recently become an acceptable young male dress standard.

12) Canvas shoes/sneakers. Are acceptable for labour/engineering/computer lab repair work.

Hats are another issue. Normally, it is acceptable for men to wear a baseball cap. This seems to be relatively acceptable dress wear, as odd as that may sound. Don't bother with other types of headwear though. Straw hats, visors, cowboy hats, fedoras, etc. are either for farmers (which nobody will believe you are) or dancehall fashionistas (which few will believe and/or care if you are). Notice the absence of T-Shirts in my list. DO bring t-shirts. You will want to sleep. And you will have days when your only hanging out, in which case a t-shirt is fine.

Help us to reduce the OHMAN factor. Bring down Babylon by fighting the image of foreigners as only coming to Jamaica as morons. Only you can prevent tourist fires.

-Khaled

So its down to the wire!! You only have 22 days before you leave for staging! So if you are like we were you're probable pretty excited by now. I hope you've gotten your stuff in order or are at least starting to. If you are wrestling with some questions, just comment and we'll write back to you. Some things I wanted to know: Should I bring my computer? I would say YES. For a variety of reasons. You will probably want it to do work on, as computers aren't always accessible from your job. You will also want it to keep in touch with family and friends. If you are concerned about theft you can always lock it up in safekeeping in the Peace Corps office until you have a site assignment in August. That way you don't have to worry about it at your host family's house.

Should you bring a digital camera? Sure, it's been great to be able to take pics of our life here and show them to people through our blog. If you have the money you may want to insure these items while in the states, in case they are stolen, even after you are at site.

What about your cell phone? This matter could be discussed at length, but what you really need to know is that even if you have a phone that claims to be compatible with international SIM cards, it probably wont work. None of the people who brought these types of phones were able to get them to work when they arrived. Only people with satellite phones had no problems, but they are expensive even in the states. Just bring a little extra cash, or save some from staging, to purchase a phone when you arrive. They aren't too expensive, and we are trying to get you the best deal on this end, as we feel we were overcharged when we arrived. In training I paid the equivalent of US$65.00. When my phone was 'lost' in Portland, I paid the equivalent of US$35.00 for a new phone, same model (actually a little newer and better model). So current volunteers are trying to get you a deal. Cross your fingers.

Overall, don't worry about electricity. All volunteers have electricity. This doesn't mean constant electricity but typically you have it for most of the day. Therefore all your electronic gizmo's will work, but it is important to unplug EVERYTHING if you see a dark cloud in the sky. Surge suppressors do not suppress Jamaican lightning.

The number one reason that this blog was started was because during our first week of training at UWI our safety and security coordinator, Ann, said "Why do all PCVs come wearing big backpacks, this makes them stand out in a crowd more than anything else". We were all stunned to hear this as it is clearly stated on the packing list that we should have a backpack. The thing is, Jamaicans don't use backpacks unless they are in school, and therefore identified by their school uniform. What they do use are sachel bags, plastic market bags and most commonly scandal bags (black plastic bags). There are probably a variety of reasons for adults shunning backpacks, but whatever they are, you should be warned. Bring a sachel bag, one that goes around your shoulder and hits your hip. Since I began traveling with one it has really cut down on my "tourist harassment". You can get market bags here for cheap and they are a great way to carry large items. The other problem with traditional backpacks is they are easy to steal from. This was probably Ann's biggest concern. So when in Jamaica, do like the Jamaicans and carry the proper bag.

Moving along down the list, I see Shane has added some good advice for men and thier pants. Starting with the poncho/rainsuit, don't bother. Jamaicans are very anti-rain and aren't likely to be walking around in it, even if it's an emergency. When they are walking around, they are using an umbrella. As a PCV you can buy umbrellas anywhere but if you are coming in perhaps you should bring a small one, high quality, just in case it's raining in the first few days. Save space and skip the poncho.

Next on to the beach towel. I see where they were going with this but it's a little misplaced. Think about how difficult it will be to hand-wash a beach towel, think about doing it every week. A better solution is to bring a couple quick dry towels that are made by hiking companies. These are much easier to wash and you can pack two in the space of one beach towel. Plus you can travel with them when you go on weekends to other PCVs or the beach.

Toiletries are an interesting issue. It just depends on what you like. Khaled and I really like Tom's of Maine toothpaste, so we brought a bunch. If you have no preference, just bring enough to get you through training. Be sure to pack extra razor blades if you use a Mach3 or something like that. Ditto for any kind of special tampons/pads you use. Remember, you can get anything you need in Jamaica, it just won't be the stuff you like or are used to. Take shampoo, which is sold in hundreds of varieties in the states, is very limited here. In the country, where we live, our supermarket carries VO5, Suave and a local brand called Lasco. Thats it for shampoo, no herbal essences here, unless you pay big money in the city for it.

For kitchen items, I wouldn't reccommend a lot of tupperware or things like that. Really what I found myself wanting was a decent vegetable peeler, a rubber spatula and a good travel mug for my morning coffee. You can get tupperware, pots and pans here. It's those little things that make life easier that you will be wanting.

More on the miscellaneous items later.

But you really will need a battery operated am/fm radio. It's on the consolidation list.

Below are my thoughts about male fashion in PC Jamaica, bracketed after the line from the actual packing to which they correspond.

"Men should bring at least five to seven outfits for work [this is because you may only do laundry once every two weeks, and then you can wear everything twice, although really, you can wear your pants up to three times or more in a pinch].

This means slacks and shirts (lightweight and wash-and-wear are best) [I wear khakis and a shirt with a collar every day to work, sometimes I wear a polo, sometimes the shirt is not tucked in, but usually it is a button down shirt tucked in],

and jeans or long shorts;[for traveling on the bus or going places on the weekends, I usually wear jeans or other pants. Shorts are mainly when walking around my neighborhood, but some volunteers wear them while traveling]

and short-sleeved shirts, T-shirts, or polo shirts for fieldwork and recreation wear[True enough].

Dark pants are preferable, as light colors show soil quicker [I should have read this one closer, but figured dark pants would get hotter. I wish I had brought more dark pants, though]

You should also have a lightweight suit or sport coat, a tie, and dress shoes to wear on special occasions such as the swearing-in ceremony, weddings, and funerals. [bring a sportscoat if you have one, if not you can usually get away with wearing just a tie and long-sleeved dress shirt; some volunteers like to bring suits and there are definitely opportunities to wear them]"

More later.

-Shane

Lets begin at the begining. Under the category 'General Clothing' you will notice the first item recommended under 'other items to bring' is a Sun Hat. This is a particularly inauspicious start. It's not that Jamaicans don't wear hats, they do. In fact they wear a great variety of hats, unfortunately none of them would fall into the American definition of Sun Hat. If you wear around some funky straw beach hat you will end up looking like a perma-tourist and the taxi men will forever scream 'ochi' at you every time you turn around. In Jamaica, Older women wear hats to church, but this is a special hat that, if you never attend chruch, you won't require. They also wear hats that match their outfits; Blue slippers, white pants, blue top, white hat. That sort of thing. Young women generally don't wear hats at all, they opt for large hair clip-ons instead. Men who aren't rasta wear baseball caps, if anything, but they tend to prefer showing off their hairstyle.

Most Peace Corps volunteers do protect themselves from the sun, but this is accomplished with sunscreen. Your existence is enough to make people stare, a strange hat just moves you into the 'mad' category. In the end, it all boils down to the aforementioned Weird White People Behaviour.

I finally got around to digging out the Packing List provided by Peace Corps in our Welcome To Jamaica guide that came with our invitation. Of course some of us current volunteers have a few things to say about this list, thus the motivation for creating this blog. So now we will continue to enlighten you on which suggestions were helpful, which were not, and what we felt ws completely left off the list.

Enjoy!

-Kaelyn

PACKING LI ST

This list has been compiled by Volunteers serving in Jamaica and is based on their experience. Use it as an informal guide in making your own list, bearing in mind that experience is individual. There is no perfect list! You obviously cannot bring everything we mention, so consider those items that make the most sense to you personally and professionally. You can always have things sent to you later. As you decide what to bring, keep in mind that you have an 80-pound weight limit on baggage. And remember, you can get almost everything you need in Jamaica.

General Clothing

Men should bring at least five to seven outfits for work. This means slacks and shirts (lightweight and wash-and-wear are best), and jeans or long shorts; and short-sleeved shirts, T-shirts, or polo shirts for fieldwork and recreation wear. Dark pants are preferable, as light colors show soil quicker. You should also have a lightweight suit or sport coat, a tie, and dress shoes to wear on special occasions such as the swearing-in ceremony, weddings, and funerals.

Women should bring at least 10 to 12 outfits for work. This means wash-and-wear dresses, mix-and-match skirts (no miniskirts) and blouses, or pantsuits, and lightweight pants or jeans, long shorts; and short-sleeved shirts, T-shirts, or polo shirts for fieldwork and recreation wear. You should also have at least two formal or casually elegant outfits for special occasions such as the swearing-in ceremony, weddings, and funerals.

Other items to bring:

• Sun hat

• Belts (of any material but suede)

• 10 to 12 bandanas or handkerchiefs

• Poncho or rain suit

Shoes

Bring three or four pairs of comfortable and sturdy walking or tennis shoes. It is advisable to have more than one pair to allow for a day of “drying time.” Also bring one pair of dress shoes. Although Birkenstock-type sandals are nice to have for their comfort, they are not suitable for most professional situations.

Personal Hygiene and Toiletry Items

• Travel-size toiletries for weekend trips

• Brush, comb, hand mirror, nail clippers, nail file, razor and blades

• Contact lens solution, if you wear contacts (it is available in Jamaica but is costly)

• Three-month supply of all prescription medications (including birth control pills) you are currently taking.

• Feminine hygiene products—tampons, maxi pads, and panty shields are available locally but are a little more expensive than in the United States, so consider bringing a supply

• Hair dryer

• Hairpins, barrettes, etc.

• Two to four inexpensive, lightweight bath towels, hand towels, and washcloths

• One beach towel

Kitchen

• Basic cookbook or recipes for your favorite dishes

• Plastic containers (like Tupperware)

• Plastic storage bags in assorted sizes

• Artificial sweetener, if you use it

Miscellaneous

• Two pairs of prescription eyeglasses; if you wear them (photo chromic lenses are recommended)

• Sunglasses (preferably with UV protection)

• One or two watches (inexpensive, durable, water-resistant) with extra batteries

• Day pack, backpack, and/or lightweight overnight bag

(Volunteers often go on short, two- to four-day trips, so bring something you can comfortably carry on a crowded bus)

• Therm-a-Rest or other portable sleeping pad (for use when visiting other Volunteers)

• Umbrella

• Duct tape (has numerous uses)

• Plastic water bottle (Nalgene) or canteen

• Costume jewelry

• Earplugs for sleeping through loud music, roosters, and barking dogs

• Camera and extra film (available locally but expensive)

• Portable AM/FM radio or cassette or CD player with cord and batteries

• Music tapes or CDs (especially important if you are not into listening to reggae and dance hall music all the time)

• Games (e.g., cards, backgammon, chess)

• Snorkel, mask, and fins and swimming goggles (if you are so inclined)

• Hobby and craft supplies (available locally but expensive)

• Resource materials (e.g., textbooks, dictionary, thesaurus) and office supplies (e.g., small stapler, rubber bands, paper clips, scissors, tape, pens, markers); some host agencies will provide these, but others will not. You may want to prepare a box to be sent to you later if you find you need them

Other Items

❒ Verify that luggage meets the size and weight limits for international travel.

❒ Obtain a personal passport if you plan to travel after your service ends. (Your Peace Corps passport will expire three months after you finish your service, so if you plan to travel longer, you will need a regular passport.)

❒ Bring at least four passport-size photos (to be used mainly for ID purposes).

❒ Bring a copy of your certificate of marriage or divorce.

❒ Purchase personal property insurance to extend from the time you leave your home for service overseas until the time you complete your service and return to the United States.

For this post, my first since returning from my first trip to the states, I give you important advice concerning your underwear. This applies mostly to females, but males could learn a thing or two as well. When deciding how many pairs of underwear to pack for your PCJ experience you should go for as many as possible. In fact, bring some good pairs still in packages, you'll enjoy their newness months from now. In Jamaica, panties are a serious issue, one which people didn't inform us on when we arrived, but left us out to dry. NEVER wash your underwear in the washing machine. Jamaicans find this repulsive, and will scrub their washers with clorox for days after you do it. Underwear are always hand washed, preferably in the bathroom in the sink, daily. Perhaps you are thinking, why? There is a belief, especially among older people, that if you don't wash out your underwear daily you are filthy, akin to skanky. Back in the day women only had a few pairs so they washed them every evening, hence the idea that if you they don't see you hanging out your drawers every night, you are wearing dirty underwear, considered disgusting. Next in your packing you want to consider the effect of all this handwashing on your underpants. They wear out pretty quickly, especially the pretty silky ones. I recommend cotton underwear for daily use, it lasts longer and can withstand schoolchildren trauma, such as spilled bag juice that seeps thorough your skirt onto your panties, leaving a purple grape stain that must be scrubbed. Next consider what your laundry will look like to your neighbors, who will definitely nose their way into every bit of your business. I have a system for hanging laundry where all my underwear are hung under the tree end of my clothesline, which covers them slightly from prying eyes, except from the lady behind me. So remember how many people will be looking at your underwear as you buy them. Finally we come to the quality of Jamaican products yet again. If you are forced to buy underwear, bras, or anything of that nature in Jamaica, it will not last long, if at all. I find that these items tend to disintigrate upon contact with laundry soap and can only be counted on for 5 wearings. Thats why they only cost J$50 (less than US$1.00). This brings back the idea of bringing unopened bags of underwear, so that you can open them 6 months in and have a panty party.

Ah, Jamaican male fashion. I must forewarn that amongst Jamaicans, I definitely fail to attain Dancehall Immortality. In fairness to myself, few (if any) PC males do so. But you can try if you like. The key to male dancehall attire is simple. You must think (and dress) like Prince. Actually, if you raid your 80's closet, you'll be close to in business. Rules to remember:

1. In Jamaica, weird male fashion is HOT. I mean, the crazier you make it, the more you'll be loved in the Dancehall scene.

2. Male fashion is as demanding as female dancehall fashion. You will be expected to fit into pants that clearly define your, uh, definitions.

3. You will be expected to match. How this jells with rule #1 is the key to dancehall mens' wear.

4. Men in the dancehall scene are not afraid (i.e. unaware) of distinctions between male and female fashion.They will regularly utilize the much more flamboyant attire available to women to spruce up their plummage.

5. Your hair will not be a problem. Although most Jamaican men cannot really pull of 80's punk hairstyles, they do apply saloon techniques such as extensions and wigs to achieve the mighty 80's dos.

Do be aware however, that Dancehall is really only prevalent in the major cities. Efforts to be the most dancehall in rural regions may be misconstrued as 'Weird White People Behaviour' (note that WWPB applies to anything from foreign). Good luck to you. My next post will cover what to wear to remain totally conspicous in public.

Khaled

Now, I'm sure that there will be multiple discussions regarding shoes on this blog, but I want to start this one right away. Even if you get your invite in April, you may still be wondering about shoes up to your July 4th going away party. Shoes. First you have to think 'how does this relate to buisness casual?'. We will come back to the PCJ definition of buisness casual later, but for shoes it's important to think of the walking. You will be walking, during training and beyond, for perhaps a mile or so a day. Some roads are paved, others not so much, and there are occasionally 'sidewalks' which are in worse condition than the roads. Your shoes should have a thick enough sole so that when you walk on gravel, you cant feel the stones through the bottoms. This seems simple on the surface, because sneakers and teva's fill this function, but then you have to think 'buisness casual'. PCJ will not be happy with you if you wear your sneakers or tevas to all functions. Certainly you can't to wear them to your job, which will probably be a more professional situation. Remember, this is the land of ironed jeans, you must look good. When I first got here I would wear my buisness causal (button up) blouse and khaki skirt with my tevas, and I thought this was ok because I had to walk a mile to training every morning and night, but I soon realized that when Jamaicans looked at me, thier eyes were staying on my feet for longer than necessary. Not only was my footwear inappropriate, they were often dirty because it was a dirt road we walked on. You will see many people wearing filp-flops, called slippers, but they always match. For instance, it is okay to walk out to the shop in a pink shirt with jeans and a pink belt and pink slippers. But everything must be clean, sparkling. So I advise for your daily shoes that they be black, which isn't quite as universal here as it is in the states, but it will do and that they have a decently thick sole, cleanable surface and look professional. Open toes or not, it doesn't really matter. Remember, they will wear out faster here than at home, so if you really like them, buy two pairs, because shoes bought here tend to last a month, although once I bought a pair that lasted 6 hours. More on the incredibly shoddy goods available in Jamaica later.

Caitlin

Packing for Jamaica was an incredibly nerve-wracking experience. And then we show up at staging in Miami and Peace Corps pretty much tells everyone that we got it all wrong. Two words: Business Casual! All the time! Which led many of us to the question of why the packing list they sent us was so vague. So in an attempt to save the new group some of this grief we have created this forum for sharing some of our recommendations about what would be useful to bring to Peace Corps Jamaica. It's also just for fun! You know the saying - if I only knew then what I know now.

Later,

Kaelyn