Send me food!!!

Care Packages

I have the best friends.  A lot of you want to send me care packages and I am totally loving that.  I have my address for the first 3 months of service.  After that I will let you know what my address.  Keep in mind it takes mail around a month to get to me, so try not to send anything that could go bad or melt.  Also try not to send anything after May or I may not get it right away.  Here is the address for April to June;

Melissa Taylor PCT

c/o U.S. Peace Corps Guyana

33A Barrack Street

Kingston, Georgetown Guyana

South America

As for things I might like in a care package here are just a few things :)

• oreos
• goldfish
• disposable razors
• tampons (U by kotex, regular)
• music and books on a USB drive
• cards
• pictures
• hair ties
• Cheeze it grooves - white cheddar
• Sprees, Smarties, Sweet Tarts
• Cheap sunglasses 
• water filtration stuff

I'm sure there will be more things added to this list once I am there!  But that is a good start!

Doomsday Packing, PC edition

I get asked a lot about about the packing process; what I am bringing with me, are there restrictions?  Well I will strive to answer all your burning questions in this post.  To start I received a packing list from the Peace Corps.  It outlined what I should bring and what will be provided for me.  Then I found the Facebook group for our gang of PCV, and they had another very helpful list.  Essentially I can have 2 checked bags, 50 lbs each, and two carry on bags.  It was also suggested that I send some things to myself.  So without further ado here is the list thanks to the PC Guyana 27 FB page;

BRING IT
-a good pillow
-crocs (ballet flats)*
-lots of cotton underwear
-a few hangers (the clip pant kind are awesome!)
-earplugs (just buy the 40 pack!)
-note cards/thank you cards/blank cards
-ENO hammock w/mosquito net* (super compact/lightweight & perfect when u visit other volunteers without an extra bed)
-cotton bandanas (4-5 at least)
-good headphones
-mini Bluetooth speaker
-lightweight sundresses (for the females obviously)
-an extra phone charger
-jeans (1-2 pairs, even tho it seems like it will be too hot)
-a smart phone (unless u want to be cut off- internet is everywhere & what's app is WAY cheaper than calling or texting!)
-short sleeve coverups* (females- cause you will feel naked with your shoulders showing)
-a good/great pocket knife (make sure it's in your checked luggage)
-set of cooking knives (all knives in this country are awful!)
-a good flashlight (with great battery life & xtra batteries if they are not standard like AA or AAA)
-a good headlamp
-a really good umbrella
-music
-an external hard drive
-a laptop (it's a requirement- but get one that's really lightweight!)
-surge protector strip
-2-3 nalgene water bottles* (forget all other water bottles)
-a kindle (if u like to read we have a 30,000 book file)
-a mosquito jacket* (worth every penny & best thing I brought other than my pillow)
-a large purse or shoulder bag (to carry notebooks/clothes for an overnight)
-quality bras (regular & sports bras- females again)
-swimsuit
-1 nice dress (modest & to be worn to weddings or funerals)
-ExOfficio skirt*
-Gallon size baggies
-watch (not flashy- think plastic Casio)
-bed bug mattress cover (cause I got them and wish I had this now)
-at least 1 set of nice sheets (queen size fits everything smaller too:)
-tampons (they are impossible to find here!)
-good pens
-a hat (to save your face from the sun)
-good sunglasses (with protective lenses for your eyeballs)
-extra rings for your piercings (impossible to find quality)
-pictures of your friends & family (laminate them if you can)
-comfortable flip flops (I recommend Reef Gingers for the females)
-a pair of dressy sandals or simple heels (to dress up)
-a can opener
-hand fan* (not made of paper)
-over the door hooks
-hanging cloth closet hanger*
-neck tie (for dudes)
-boat shoes (for dudes)
-quick dry travel towel (regular towels tend to mold)
-running shoes

LEAVE IT
-rain boots & rain jacket (it's too hot!)
-hair products (unless you're crazy picky or only use organic)
-non prescription medications/sprays/sunscreen (bring what you would need for a few days- but PC will give you everything!)
-tons of makeup (it will melt off anyways)
-nice/special jewelry
-hair dryer