More About Luggage

So now I think this is the backpack I'm going to get. In Palm. It has really good reviews, Eagle Creek is a great brand, and it is small enough (the exact size allowed) to be my carry on (with the detachable daypack as my "personal item").

And it's actually pretty big! I don't see myself using a pack any bigger than this while in-country. So as long as it fits me well, I think this is it!! I am going to get a couple of spare clips and zippers from EC before I go so that in the case of damage I can have it repaired. If I were in the US, I think they repair for life for free. But I wouldn't want to deal with sending/receiving it from Africa, when I could just have it repaired at a tailor if I had the parts.

My first checked bag will still be my big, red Samsonite rolling duffel (which I have never actually used because I tend to travel LIGHT [as in...I haven't checked a bag in years!]). Now the question is what the second bag will be. Something smaller, I think. I'm sure I can fit 50 lbs. of stuff in the Samsonite, so I might get a smaller Eagle Creek rolling duffel for the additional 30 lbs, like this one. It being lightweight is key. Who wants to waste 10 lbs. on the friggin bag???

I think the way I will pack is that all the stuff for staging (and more) will go in the backpack. All the stuff for homestay will go in the smaller duffel and the stuff for site will go in the Samsonite (which they will lock up at the training facility until I move to site). I think this will be a good way to pack and will distribute the weight right: as in, a lot of the heavier stuff is for site, like a skillet and other kitchen/household stuff.

Anyway...I know all of this will be super trivial once I am there, but you gotta have something to dwell on in the meantime!!