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Mongolia Packing Forum

A place to discuss ideas or problems while packing for Mongolia

Forum Entries:

So far the only significant purchase I made was to buy a new backpack; I figure it will be easier than luggage! - Chris

Happiness in the developing world can be attained with two items; Q-tips and two-ply toilet paper. Pack a little of both so you can treat yourself every once and awhile.--bmwhitejpn@hotmail.com

Leave the Norton Anthology of <insert dry literary work here> at home. You'll cut down on luggage weight, and who are you fooling? No matter what you say you'll never get around to readingn it. You'd be better off trading the twenty pounds of books for twenty pounds of People magazine. That at least will take your mind off your isolation induced depression while freezing your butt off in a ger.

Bring a curling iron.

Does it get cold in Mongolia? My friend says it does, but I told him he is wrong. He must be wrong, because how could it get cold being so close to equator and all? Am I right?--Brian White

I've heard that the film for sale in UB is good quality, but legitimate batteries are impossible to find, except at the State Dept. store ... interested in hearing more about what else may be hard to come by. I'm bringing a 2-year supply of Qtips, dental floss, moisturizer, and chapstick. I just might cut all my hair off, though ... any feedback on that?

I talked to some female volunteers who are over there now because I was worried about what to wear (For ESL Teachers) They had a variety of ideas of what can work. One just wore Khakis and sweaters, One wore long skirts that she piled layer after layer of pants under during the winter to stay warm and still look presentable, and one wore jeans every day. SO I guess the best bet is to choose what you are comfortable in and what will go longest without washing...

ok, so this was just a random idea... Everyone knows about those hand warmers/foot warmers right? If you dont, go to a ski shop and get some.. Well I saw a commercial for a heat pad you stick on your stomach (for cramps) and I thought if I got really desperate, this might work.. Ill check it out and get back to ya'll.

Here is a website of a current PCV in mongolia www.rahul.net/dold

I am going to bring my own sleeping bag as well - I've heard mixed opinions on the Peace Corps issues. NorthFace makes a -40F bag that weighs < 5 lbs. for about $300 (The Darkstar I think). Not a bad investment if you like to be warm while sleeping at least!

From my last Peace Corps experience, what I regretted most of all was failing to heed the advice to bring SPICES. Apparently, food in Mongolia is even more bland than in Uzbekistan, so I'm definitely going to be bringing garlic salt, basil, oregano, thyme, adobo, etc. It takes up only a modicum of space in your luggage and weighs very little.

Hey Gang - if you're looking for reasonably priced cold weather gear, the 2 sites I like best: www.sierratradingpost.com and www.killerdeals.com . I bought a -20F North Face bag for $169 plus shipping. I'm also bringing lots of long underwear and SmartWool sox. - Sue

Hey what's the opinion on the whole solar powered battery recharger thing? Is anyone going to invest in one?

I've heard that electricity in Mongolia is highly unreliable - lots of power surges, blackouts, etc... A solar powered charger would be nice

If you get a solar power charger let me know.. I was thinking of getting one for my laptop..and I would love to know where you got it...etc jerboa3178@aol.com

Speaking of Laptops, is anyone bringing one or does anyone know how safe/reliable/useful they may be?

Spices - Cayenne and Ginger (and anything hot, like Chili powder) are good to bring - they're strong, and increase your circulation to keep you warm in cold weather. A good multivitamin is important. My M4 contact has told me that fruits and veggies are nearly non-existent (except potatoes, carrots, and other roots), and the ones you get must be soaked in iodine to remove fecal contamination (often grown in China, in "nightsoil", soil fertilized with human waste). Veggies are reportedly not available in the winter, so you stock up in the fall. Solar battery charger - I'm going to find one and ship it to myself, just to keep my music running. Laptop - I'm not bringing one, but a good website: www.port.com for foreign travel gadgets. - Sue

I've been in touch with an M-12 and she definitely advocates bringing a laptop if you've got one. I think most sites for PCVs will have electricity and though it may be fickle at times, a surge protector should prevent any possible disaster regarding computer failure. I can definitely live without my computer, but it's just so handy for journal writing, website upkeep, music playing, etc...Also, how effective are these solar gadgets everyone's talking about?

Apparently the solar panels are really useful. My teacher a rcpv and development worker uses his all the time out in the field, and swears by it. I think it would be especially good in Monglia bc of all the sunny days! If you are interested just email me and Ill find out where he got it. ALLYSON

FYI Time magazine just covered an issue of the expansion of YURTS(GERS)into the US. It is a small, but pretty interesting article. It also gives a website www.yurts.com that manufactures gers for US comsumption. It amazing what you can do with a ger!

Is anyone brining along fishing gear? Can this be purchased in Mongolia?

Hey M-13's--Spices, spices, spices--you'll thank me later. Don't overload on the clothes-get winter gear sent to you, pack a sweater/fleece for the summer. Bring two or three nice outfits, tie/slacks for men, dress pants, skirt for women--can also be found here. As for Books, bring the few you absolutely swear by. Book circulation amongst PCVs (no worries). Most importantly, be true to yourself and bring the things that make you happy--paints and paintbrushes, guitars, harmonicas, a coffee press, etc... See you soon!!!

Hi everyone! I was a PCV in Bangladesh, and now I'll be joining you guys in Mongolia...I took a video camera to bangladesh, and that was the best thing that i took...I've got some amazing things on tape...I'm bringing it to Mongolia as well...so, my advice is: Don't be afraid to bring things that will help capture your memories...material stuff can always be replaced.---George

Enter Your Comments, Ideas, Questions, Etc. Here Include you name if you wish!

The welcome book tips included in teh info pack was compiled by PCVs and is a pretty good guide.

What about gifts for host families? Would dollar coins be appropriate?

I've heard that pcv's like to take a picture of the host family and get a frame there before they leave to their sites. Others bring books with lots of pictures about their Home towns to give as gifts.

Hey, does anyone know if Mongolia has 11-12 size shoes available? (men's sizes)

Most of the current volunteers I've asked have said no, but you can have them made or imported from Russia

From an M12- Veggies are available in the winter although where you are will determine how many and what kind. Although soaking veggies in iodine or bleach is probably a good idea, most of us dont do it. A note on solar battery chargers. These are a good idea (I brought one myself), however they wont last long in high draining devices like walkmans, etc. There are a couple places in UB where you can buy good batteries.

From M11s and M12s: you can buy toiletries here (Q tips, baby wipes etc), bring one club outfit (the UB Palace is actually like a real club), host family gift: a durable kite, dollar coins or bills, stamps. AND, Mongolia IS cold... You can buy basic spices here curry, paprika, chili, etc. You can buy so much stuff here, every month which passes brings with it new things (Pillsbury Pumpkin Bread, cream cheese, Ready Whip)

I'VE READ OVER THE PACKING FORUM EVERYONE HAS CONTRIBUTED TOO AND I'D LIKE TO THROW IN MY TWO CENTS. SPICES, TOILETRIES (INC. 2-PLY AND Q-TIPS) AS WELL AS ART SUPPLIES AND A WHOLE SLOUGH OF OTHER NICETIES CAN ALL BE PURCHASED IN ULAANBAATAR. WE HAVE AN EXCELLENT LIBRARY HERE IN THE PC OFFICE, SO UNLESS YOU HAVE A NOVEL OR WHATNOT THAT YOU JUST CANNOT PART WITH, DON'T WORRY ABOUT HAULING BOOKS. AGAIN, THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS TO BRING ARE WHAT YOU'LL MISS THE MOST, GOOD THERMAL UNDERWEAR, GREAT SOCKS, A NICE WARM HAT. EVERYTHING ELSE YOU CAN FIND IN UB. WE HAVE A NUMBER OF GOOD STORES HERE NOW, MOSTLY KOREAN OWNED, THAT IMPORT SPICES, TOOTHBRUSHES, TOOTHPASTE, ETC. PAUL, YOUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD MEDICAL OFFICER HAS A BIG OL' BOX OF FLOSS UPSTAIRS. SO...MY PACKING ADVICE IS THIS: IF YOU CHOOSE TO BRING ANYTHING--BRING MONEY. DON'T WASTE YOUR BUCKS ON TWO-YEAR SUPPLIES OF ANYTHING. YOU'LL REGRET THAT YOU DIDN'T CHOOSE TO SPEND IT ON SOMETHING MORE WORTHWHILE (LIKE A STEAK AT THE CHINGGIS BEER CLUB.) THAT'S IT. PCVC---BOY CHRIS.

Does anyone know of an inexpensive Mongolia - US International Phone Card?

** PHONE CARDS !! There is a company that sells U.S.-Mongolia phone cards for about $0.18 / min (it's called a bainuu card) and the same company sells another card that covers calls from Mongolia - U.S. (a sainuu card). Call 1-301-916-7600 x 129 or 131 for more info, or log onto www.bainuu.com. They email you an access number and a PIN, and it may take a few days. The cards are only good for 3 months, so don't buy one for more than you think you'll use. I haven't bought one yet, my mom is working to get it before I leave for Chicago. (Source: Adam Zenko, Friends of Mongolia) ** PACKING ** We're allowed to bring 102 lb from Beijing to Mongolia (the weight limit from Chicago to Beijing is a little higher, but it's pointless to bring more than 102 lb if you have to abandon the excess baggage at the Beijing airport!! 102 lb = 47 kg. The first 20 kg of your Beijing-UB baggage is covered in the China Air airline ticket that PC buys for us. PC gives us $108 (which is $4/kg) to cover the extra 27 kg. Did I do that math right? They give you the $108, and if you don't have a full 47 kg of baggage, you keep the change. If you only bring 20 kg of baggage, you keep the full $108. (source: Nancy Seltzer email) **SHIPPING PACKAGES** Do not use U.P.S. (an M11 reported that you have to pay a pickup fee, and you have to go to the UB airport to get the pkg). I've also heard not to ship via U.S.P.S. surface mail (one mother shipped her daughter's winter clothes and they arrived in February! Not very helpful). You should not have to pay customs on packages that you mail to yourself (source: Nancy Seltzer), just write "personal affects" on the customs label. Definitely acquire insurance for your package (some arrive pilfered, and some don't arrive at all). I'm also writing a list of contents on the inside wall of the box, so when it arrives I can see if anything's missing in case the box has been opened. ** Finally, once we get to Chicago, I'm hoping we can get together a list of volunteers and their parents' names, addresses, tel, and email - my mom would REALLY like a list of everyone else's parents, so she can feel like there's a network of parents out there with all the same worries as she has. If you'd like your parents to have a list like this, please bring this information to Staging and I'll mail it all to my mom from the Chicago hotel so she can compile it. (I'm not sure if there's already a list that PC will give us that will accomplish this same goal). See you all soon! (I think I've already said that June 12 is my birthday, but it recently occurred to me that I'll lose 13 hours of my bday since we'll be flying across the dateline! ) - Sue Cote, N.H. (email: cote_sue@ hotmail.com if you want to email me your parent's info, send it before June 10)

Oh my god, you guys. I packed up my stuff just to see how much it weighed, and it was only 60 lbs. Unfortunately, it was way bigger than 107 inches. 107 inches is not alot of space! -Clare

I don't understand how anyone can fit more than 80 pounds in just 107 inches. Maybe it's time to buy some compression bags! I knew I'd be last minute shopping no matter what I did. ~Katie

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