Gear Roundup

Technically, we started packing for this trip back in November. But this week we've been putting aside the essentials we'll be taking with us to Costa Rica.  Our hope is that we can fit everything we need into two backpacks and two carry-ons (and 2 personal items). Total. For all three of us.  

That's not a lot of room for stuff.  The general idea is that we can buy most of what we need when we get there. Costa Ricans enjoy the great outdoors as much as the tourists do, so we are bound to find places that sell sandals, hats and rain gear.  They also have babies there too, obviously, so they will have diapers and all the various baby necessities we will need. Although, I may have to switch to cloth diapers... Heh. Heh. Hmmm.  Well, that's what this adventure is all about-- learning to live in another culture, and simplifying our comfortable, middle-class-American standard of living.

Oh, Huggies, how I will miss you.  Goodbye, $7 tube of toothpaste, and Kevin Murphy shampoo. Adios, Culver's bacon cheeseburger.  Starbucks, I'm not sure, but I think Costa Rica might have better coffee than you. Still, your peppermint latte was a splurge I could quickly justify. 

It'll be backpacks and budget meals for us on this trip. And I'm looking forward to it, in a sick kind of way.  I’m looking forward to being so far out of my comfort zone that I am open to all kinds of new possibilities.  Eating rice and beans at every meal?  Sure! Walking a mile in the jungle to get to a bus stop?  Of course!  Figuring out what is laundry detergent, and what is fabric softener when the labels are in Spanish?  Yep, we will figure it out.  Or, we’ll wear really soft clothes for a while, like my role model did in Thailand. (I love Christine Gilbert's blog Almost Fearless, about her travels with husband and baby.)

If we can manage it, we'll take Michael's guitar as well.  It never hurts to have a musical instrument... music is the international language, after all.  So, here's a list, if you are interested, of everything we are taking with us:

Laptops

Camera

Kindle

Bible
Documents: Passports, Birth certificates (copies), Resumes

Laundry soap

Clothes line 

Pad lock

Outlet converter?

Quick drying towels

Pocket knife

Compass

Headlamp/flashlight

Travel wallet

Toiletries: All-purpose soap/shampoo, toothpaste/brush, hair gel, deodorant, body/face lotion, contacts/solution, hair comb, sunscreen, bug repellent, hand sanitizer

Cooking gear: camping stove/dishes/utensils

Sleep sacks 

Travel pillows

Rain Ponchos

Clothes: jeans, T-shirts, tank tops, sweater, rain/wind jacket, sun dresses, swim suit, pj's, light weight/quick drying pants and shirt, quick-drying underwear, socks, flip flops, hiking boots, walking shoes, hat, sunglasses

Baby stuff:

Baby bed (travel crib)

Umbrella stroller

Diapers/wipes

Clothes: dresses, pj's, onesies, sandals, swim suit, hat, sunglasses, socks

Blankets

Bibs

Cloth diapers/pins?

Toys, books, play mat 

Front/back carrier

Baby med kit

Baby towel/washcloth 

Mini food processor 

So, that's what we have.  If we are forgetting something let me know!  One more week until we head out to Minnesota, then flying to San Jose a few days later.  We are taking our iPhones, although we won't have mobile phone service we will have access to wifi and will be able to use Skype and instant messaging on the phones.  

And really, I'm doing okay with all this.  As long as I don't think about how we're going to make money and get jobs... I'm not freaking out.  Nope. Not me.  Everything is going to be fine. (Breathing into a paper bag.)  Juuuuust fine.