PACKING LIST

Packing list: (1 on, 1 in cupboard, 1 drying principle!)
underwear
stockings/knee highs/socks
vests/longjohns
sleepwear
'walking' shoes - you need something comfortable because you are on your feet for many hours each day
'smarter' shoes - for evenings but not essential
warm overcoat/jacket
1 smartish outfit - you can wear the same one every time or just have something different to wear over your daywear!
African evening wear (outfit or jewellery or whatever!)
skirts/slacks and tops - I tried to get things that matched with everything
team T-shirts for the plane journey – useful if anyone gets lost to look for bright yellow etc!
tracksuit
jersey/jacket

NB: be careful about glass containers (can break) and when opening containers after the flight because the pressure makes them 'pop'. I put my goodies inside plastic bags and film containerssoap
face cloth
toothpaste and toothbrush
shampoo
moisturising cream
powder
makeup goodies
hair goodies - all plugs are 2-pin
mirror
toilet bag
tissues
washing powder (there is a laundry with a tumble drier and drying cupboard but I handwashed daily. A little washline in my shower would have been useful but there is somewhere to hang things, apart from the showerhead, taps etc!)

any kind of medicine that you might/do need. I took antibiotics, just in case, and really needed themcough sweets (Halls saved my bacon because I had coughing spasms and couldn't find anything as strong there!)headache pills, Enos etc

diary - small notebook to write down names, daily happenings etcpen/pencil

camera and film,passport and tickets,money no fancy jewellery unless you wear it at all times (I lost my earrings on the plane when using the earphones)

sweets/chocolate if you like something to snack on!, juice and biscuits for long waits at airport, and maybe in the res

gifts: from Port Shepstone twinning delegates, schools, organisations etc
gifts from mayors to Oskarshamn mayor and twinning board (if there are enough)
from you personally to those who take you out and treat you specially. There are times you'll go out
one on one.
from the whole group (if you all go somewhere not linked through twinning people and want to saythanks) from the whole group to everyone at the farewell function (if you haven't given them the group gift already!)
always have spares, like ballpoint pens and little things, just in case!
NB: make lists of which gift to whom! We did and it helped a lot keep gifts in one person's room



sensible, strong handbag that is easy to carry everywhere and hold all your goodies safely
suitcase (15 + 8 = 23kg) and hand luggage bag (7kg)
little padlocks to lock cases
labels on suitcases

visiting cards

information/handouts/photographs/videos/music etc for presentations - here you need to look at the programme and if you are going to a school, take something of interest that you can show the children there and if possible, leave with them.

NB: Clothes etc for the plane
Your feet swell madly on the aeroplane so make sure that your shoes are not tight fitting. They give you socks for your feet and a blanket to keep you warm while you 'sleep' (ha ha!), as well as toothpaste and toothbrush, and a mask for your eyes to keep out the light.

Also you have to sit for hours so wear clothes that are very comfortable and preferably loose around the waist.

Take spare undies and a small makeup bag for the morning. We actually used the Ladies at Heathrow Airport to make ourselves look respectable because the loo queues on the plane were very long! It pays to go early, while most are still sleeping.

And nothing, but nothing sharp in your hand luggage or hand bag. This includes nail files, scissors, pen knives etc. At every airport you have to put your bags through security checks and if they 'ping', they'll open them. Also expect to be 'bodyfrisked', especially if you go 'ping' when going through security.

No liquids either. If you have any liquids, they have to be under 100ml and put in Ziploc plastics so that they can be seen easily. It’s best to put most things in your main luggage.

Now they only allow 1 bag, so handbag will have to fit into hand luggage. Check how big your hand luggage bag can be. I think 5kg is limit in weight.

I can't think of anything else. Hope this helps.

Pauline