Baggage & Packing
American Air Lines
Aero Sur
Baggage Allowance
Carry On
Team Page
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You are limited for personal items
to one piece of personal luggage plus a "carry-on" which must fit
under your seat. For your checked luggage, a soft-sided bag or framed back-pack that
can either be wheeled and/or carried on your back is your best choice. Large
hard-sided suitcases are very heavy and cumbersome and are not recommended. A small backpack
or book bag is useful for a carry-on bag. In Bolivia or Peru it can double as a pack for day
trips. Use duct-tape to fasten down any loose buckles or straps.
Due to the costs of shipping and
problems with theft, each of you will carry a second suitcase with
mission supplies
. Consider using a suitcase that you do not
mind leaving. Inexpensive suitcases can be purchased at Goodwill or Salvation
Army stores.
During our time in South America please remember that you will be responsible for carrying your own luggage.
Here's a packing tip: Pack everything you think you will need, then carry
your bag around the block. If you find your bag too difficult to
carry you will need to remove some extra items. Consider limiting what you pack to items recommended
on the list below.
| Size of Checked Baggage |
 |
| Overall size maximum 157 cm (62 inches) per piece. Each piece cannot
exceed 23kg (50lbs) without risking additional costs. Remember that one bag
is to carry mission supplies. |
| |
| Carry On Baggage |
| Combined weight cannot exceed 18 kgs (40 lbs). |
|
| You can carry on one bag plus one personal item per passenger as long as: |
| The bag is no more than 114 cm (45 inches) overall (height plus length plus
width) and the personal item is no more than 36 inches overall (height
plus length plus width) so that it fits in an overhead bin or under the seat |
|
| Carry On personal item can be a backpack purse, briefcase, laptop OR
a similar item such as book bag or tote that does not exceed 36 inches( length+width+height)
and fits under the seat. |
Personal Items Checklist
You shouldn't need much else, unless you have special medical needs.
The only item difficult to purchase is contact solution or particular brands. Everything else is generally plentiful
including toiletries,
medications and clothes.
The List
* immunization record, passport and visa
* driver's license (for identification at the airport)
* small Bible, small notebook, journal, pens and pencils
* small flashlight with extra batteries and bulbs
* small sewing kit
* contact solution, extra contacts and your prescription
* wet-naps, kleenex packets
* 8-10 zip-lock bags in various sizes for packing and storage
* pictures of yourself, your family, your pets, your home
and your hometown/area to show and extras to give away
* small travel alarm clock with extra batteries
* small camera (zoom is great for wildlife photos), 8-10 rolls of film (bring all
of your film with you because it's very expensive there) and extra batteries
* inexpensive watch (nothing flashy!)
* large plastic or cloth bag for laundry
* money belt or other type of easily concealed passport/money holder
* small water bottle
* addresses and emails of family, friends, donors, etc.
* 2 pillow cases, 1 set of single bed sheets (with mattress cover) to be donated when we leave
* An unbreakable cup, bowl, plate and cutlery set to be donate when we leave
Some Extras
* Extra pair of
glasses
(bring your prescription in case these glasses get lost)
* inflatable neck pillow (for the plane)
* ear plugs
* clothespins for hanging laundry
* stickers, balloons, small hand puppets and bubbles for having fun with kids
* small solar calculator (for quickly determining the price of things in local currency)
* Swiss Army (packed in your checked luggage)
* things to do during unscheduled time: a book, deck of cards, etc.
*
fanny pack for carrying a water bottle, t.p. (you may want to use
your day pack instead)
* "Power" type snack bars
* stuff to trade in the market (used/new athletic or university
t-shirts, click pens, baseball caps with sports or university logos, small electronic
gizmos - calculator, watch)
* small pair of binoculars
Toiletries
* moisturizer and/or small tube of hand lotion
* brush/comb
* deodorant
* talcum powder
* nail clipper
* toothbrush,
toothpaste, chapstick
* razor, blades and shaving cream
* shampoo (put in a zip-lock before packing!)
* soap, small bottle of anti-bacterial gel
* personal items
Personal Health Kit
* DEET insect repellent (30% is ok)
* benadryl anti-itch cream (or generic equivalent)
* benadryl tablets (for allergic reactions)
* small tube of sunscreen
* anti-diarrheal tablets (Pepto-Bismol, lomotil, immodium or generic equiv.)
* laxatives (change in diet can affect your system in either direction!)
* anti-emetic tablets (if you are prone to motion sickness)
* antacid tablets
* tylenol and/or advil (or generic equivalents)
* cold medicine (in tablet form)
* cough drops
* antibiotic cream (Neosporin or equiv.)
* bandaids
* prescription and/or non-prescription medications that you take on a regular basis
To reduce bulk in your bag, take items out of the box they came in and pack
in zip-lock bags. Remember to keep all instructions for taking medications!
Clothing
You will need easy care dress clothes. Comfortable shoes are crucial!
Whatever you bring, make sure that it is durable.
Don't bring anything that would worry you if it were ruined through hard wear and
harsh detergent.
Men
* belt
* 1 pair of nice jeans
* 2-3 pair of dark pants (don't show the dirt as much!)
* 4-5 lightweight short-sleeve dress shirts
* 1 long-sleeve dress shirt
* 7 pair of underwear
* 7 pair of colored socks (lightweight)
* 1-2 ties (for church)
* 1 pair durable and comfortable walking shoes (running shoes are fine dark color
is best)
* 1 pair of dress shoes (for church)
* 1 pair Teva-like sandal (or other type of inexpensive shower sandal)
* 2 lightweight sweaters or sweatshirts
* 1 lightweight rain poncho with a hood (disposable ones pack well!)
* 1 pair lightweight pajamas
* 1 pair of sweats/longjohns (it can get cold at night!)
* 1 modest swim suit
* 1-2 pair of shorts
* 2 t-shirts
* sunglasses with
UV-a & UV-B block.
This is key at high elevations.
Women Do not bring a blow-dryer or curling iron. The voltage is not the same as in Canada.
* 4-5 spring weight dresses (nothing sleeveless), jumpers or skirts (below the knee)
* 2-3 nice tops/t-shirts (nothing sleeveless) to go with skirts and/or jumpers
* 2 lightweight sweaters or sweatshirts
* 1 lightweight rain poncho with a hood (disposable ones pack well)
* 5 pair lightweight colored socks
* 1 pair comfortable and durable walking shoes (running shoes are fine -dark
color is best)
* 1 pair Teva-like sandal (or other type of inexpensive shower sandal)
* 1 pair of flat or low-healed comfortable dress shoe or sandal (e.g.
Birkenstock-type)
* 7 pair of underwear
* 2 bras
* 1 pair of lightweight pajamas (modesty is important!)
* 1 pair of sweats or long-johns (high altitudes are quite cold at night)
* 1 lightweight bathrobe
* 1 pair of dress pants or nice jeans
* 1 modest one-piece bathing suit
* 2 t-shirts
* 1-2 pair of shorts
* sunglasses with
UV-a & UV-B block. This is key at high elevations.