Okay so to introduce my pack and how I am in the situation I am in now – I originally started the race with a 65 liter big pack and a 45 liter day pack. I quickly dropped that big pack and now only carry my 45 liter ‘day pack’ and my guitar. So imagine all of the following in the size of a large backpack.
First – I have my calendar mug. I have had this mug since I was 15 and it is my favorite mug to drink coffee out of. It has become iconic. I have kept it safe for 9 months and 5 countries and so I believe if it makes it home in one piece I will believe Jesus when he said in Matthew 19:26 “with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
My Nalgene I use this thing pretty much every day on a good day. It is mostly essential and obvious why I have it.
My toothbrush and three toothpaste because oral hygiene and I don’t want cavities when I go home. Fun fact: I went to the dentist in Türkiye and got my teeth cleaned and a chipped tooth fixed for 35 USD!
I have two reusable straws. One I use in my water bottle simply because I drink more water out of a straw. The shorter one I carry around and use it to drink coffee and sodas. I met a friend a few months ago and she only drinks out of straws and her teeth are WHITE. I was literally convicted every time I drank coffee or a soda without a straw and so here I am carrying around my coffee straw.
A moka pot and a V60 pour over. I’ve made some bomb cappuccinos with the moka pot and without it, it would be really hard to love those coffee addicts. I picked up the pour over for free from our host in Albania.
The propane stove – I was really really worried I wouldn’t be able to have hot water for coffee. I used this a lot at training camp and in Albania to start our fires in th wooden stove. 10/10 would recommend this, and I don’t regret brining it.
3 random wooden spoons from previous countries. I somehow have accumulated spoons that I use for my coffee scoop. But they are cute and I plan on keeping them.
A journal and two Bibles. I have had this journal since Guatemala and have still yet to fill it up. Normally I don’t even have one Bible so two Bibles right now is a miracle. Thanks Kara
A G2 pilot 05 – the best pen known to mankind. I found this exact pen in the bottom of my pack while packing up on Christmas morning and it was the BEST present. I regret not bringing more than two of these pens.
Card games. A classic deck of cards for those team times or long airport stays. I also picked up UNO in Albania and it’s the classic original packaging with the TERRIBLE digital images on the back. And I just recently obtained Monopoly Deal in Arabic… rip in chat for that
The pill bottle – this isn’t my daily medicine I take and instead, it is a catch all. Ibuprofen, Benadryl, Advil, Biotin pills, natural NyQuil. This just kinda happens and once one bottle is half empty you just combine medicine so it takes up less room.
My 5 panel hat – it is not essential and I can’t really justify it except it comes in handy on days I don’t want to wash my hair.
I bought this mini pack of watercolors while on the field and I don’t regret it at all. Fun fact: I tried to convince a squad mate before we left the states to drop her mini pack of watercolors because and I quote “when will you ever use those?”
Oh the joy of being an asthmatic. I got two of these babies and honestly they haven’t had to save my life on the race. I would drop one but they are too expensive in the states.
A chair. This has saved my back so many times – if you are reading this and preparing for the race definitely bring a chair. Two week of sitting in hard plastic chairs in sessions is a killer for that spine of yours.
A Turkish rug. This thing is kinda huge and takes up a lot of my pack but is 100% worth it. Mostly because I got it for free. It is absolutely beautiful and worth every inch it takes up in my pack.
A Turkish pillow case. I also got this for free, but ultimately got it for our mentor. I am not keeping it and sending it back to the states with her next month.
I wanted to learn how to play the harmonica on the race and truthfully I haven’t. But I refuse to drop it because maybe one day soon I will learn.
A pair of sunglasses that I have not used once one on the race. But we are going to Thailand next and so maybe I will use them there – I am really trying to hold onto this one for no good reason.
This guitar has become my baby and I love it. It is beautiful and sounds beautiful and the name is Margaret. I don’t go many places day to day without my guitar right now. 10/10 recommend bringing an instrument if you have one. Don’t count one your squad mates to bring one because when we left the states the only instrument my squad had was a ukulele, a harmonica, and one guitar that was leaving 5 months into the trip because it belonged to our squad leader.
An iPad and AirPods – I am on the logistics team for my squad so my iPad has come in handy and I use it a lot. Also if you’re a future racer and wondering whether or not to bring a device, bring something with a keyboard because you will be required to write blogs and keep your supporters updated. A keyboard just makes everything easier.
Snooze and Joy. I use these two oils everyday. It was a routine I had before the race every morning and every night and so it has helped me keep somewhat of a sense of home with me.
Anointing oil – I have somehow ended up with multiple of these and so they are spread out throughout my guitar case, my pack, and my tote bag.
I have 4 shirts and 3 pants and 2 pairs of shorts. I have a Patagonia pull over that I thrifted in Guatemala and another long sleeve. I have a pair of tennis shoes and a pair of Birkenstocks.
Disclaimer ** this does NOT accurately represent most/any racers packs..
That is all love you guys,
AP
Love that the straw has become an essential