Hey team!  

Okay, so everyone is asking packing questions on our fbook group page... and some are asking for my own personal packing list.  I'd give it to you... If I actually already had one. haha  

Here's some tips specifically for SHE from my experience there:

: pack for 2 weeks. washing clothes is possibe. 

check the weather for our 4 month stay.  Judge accordingly to what you should bring.

clothing regulations:  

bar minsitry: Mark, our ministry contact, once told my team in Feb: "You want to blend in with the western tourists, BUT you don't want them to mistake you for a working girl."  

AKA: longer (not amish or mini) skirts, nice t-shirts... flip flops.  is a great bar ministry outfit.  OR capris, v-neck T, and chacos (my norm).  (for some examples) 

We will most likely be working on "the land" as well. (you don't need to know what that is :)  I LOVE it.  

Land outfit: gym shorts, t shirt, old shoes or chacos.  

laying around home: gym shorts, tanktop, barefoot. (Asian style)

going out around town: whatever you'd wear on a tropical island on a day off (just remember, MODEST IS HOTTEST).  you are a missionary working AGAINST the sex industry (if you get my drift).

weekend possible excursions: bathing suit, towel, flip flops, SUNSCREEN (THE GOOD KIND!), and repeat above.

DO's and Donts:  biggest rule: NO ONE SHOULD EVER QUESTION WHY YOU ARE THERE BASED ON YOUR CLOTHING.  Aka repeating what I said above: you are there to fight AGAINST the sex industry. not promote it. :)  same goes for bathing suits.  I wear a tankini. No strapless or spaghetti straps without anything over it or under it.  

shoes:

1. the pair you will want to wear 24/7

2. the pair that will stay on your feet even if you step in a muddy swamp and you don't mind gett ing muddy (tennis shoes, keens, chacos)

3. shower flip flops

4. if you really like shoes, another pair of flip flops or something to wear to ministry and out on the "town"

bedding:

you'll have a bunkbed in a room with all 8 of us.  the beds were hard when i was there.  do what you will.  . so..yea.  Also pillow: bring it on plane if ya want. 

electronics:

ipods, ipads, laptops, kindles......... bring if you want,  but pack in your carry on!  Don't pack anything valuable in your suitcase/backpack.  My teammate Liz had her mp3 stolen in phuket airport via checked bag.  just don't bring the entire besy BUY store, ya know? :)

MINI SPEAKERS are amazing for our worship times and for dance parties/ getting ready/whatever so if you have them, post here and let us know. :)

random stuff:

a light rain coat or poncho for rainy days.

SUNSCREEN.  I don't care if you' tan right away... you'll burn without it no matter what.  you'll most likely burn WITH sundcreen bc who remembers on time to reapply?  not me. 

ALOE if you tend to burn. (hard to find in Phuket for good price)

bandanas (if you like them)

hair ties

1 month worth of femanine products (you can buy more there)

pictures from home to show the girls you become close to. 

markers or stuff to draw with if you'd like that (Asian crayons and markers stink.. no crayola there)

sunglasses

copies of passport

medicine:  

my list:

vitamin C, probiotics, some ibprofen, exedrin, anti acid, and anti-gas (I have issues :)) 

don't buy value packs of ibprofen and aspirin and basic stuff.  thailand pharmacy right down the street. and no, its not to sketchy.  BUT probiotics, herbs, vitamins you will most likely not find there.  shampoo, deopderant and stuff you will.  Well, deoderant can be a tough one.. so bring 2 if you don't wanna risk it. 

OH. if spicy/hot food doesn't agree with you... bring meds for that.  you'll be eating spicy food. (I can't eat it either so I know the feeling. yay for white rice!)

spending money: use your discretion.  ATM down the street. 

I might add more later.. BUT I think this is pretty good.  ask away!  

(ps. this list is not AIM for SHE approved, so changes might be made accordingly). 

~Allie

PS. ADD YOUR OWN STYLE TO THIS.  DON'T FOLLOW IT EXACTLY, YA KNOW?  :)