Hair Straightener.....Check

So, I feel like I learned a lot in the past four years, most notably though, I learned what life is like with access to normal electricity. Our house in Vermont is solar powered, and as a result, I was deprived (unknowingly) of many simple pleasures, things like -- hair dryers, portable phones, certain CD players and (drum rolllllllll) hair straighteners. I was first introduced to the humidity fighting wonder that is a hair straightener at Syracuse University. My neighbor in my dorm, and now close friend, Elizabeth had a Chi -- what I now know to be an expensive, and freakishly effective straightener. A few passes over your hair with this Chi had it looking irresistibly straight, shiny and luscious. However, it wasn't until my sophomore year at Middlebury that I actually invested in one -- a move that allowed me to have beautiful unpuffy hair regardless of the humidity levels. And here I am, now a college graduate, headed to South East Asia with a tiny backpack filled with, among many necessities, my Chi. It is this addition to my backpack that has drawn the most attention and the most criticism. When did it become such a big deal to travel with a hair straightener -- they are small, light and aid in the maintenance of beautiful hair. Jeeze.

But anyway -- there has been some interest in my packing list, so here's what I have -- I think.

My Chi :) ...judge away....

The Good Book: Lonely Planet's SE Asia Guide

Another book that is supposed to be really good: Shantaram

A journal

Dr. Bronners

Camping Towel

Bag O' Meds: anti-histimine, anti-malaria, band aids, cipero, cough drops, ibprof

A conservative gray skirt (that survived Nepal)

Jean Shorts

Black Hippie Flowy Capri Things

One pair of jeans

Undies

Wool Socks

Normal Socks

A Fleece

A Rain Coat

Bug Spray and Bug Spray Wipes

Pack Cover

2-person Mosquito Net (so romantic)

Batteries

Emergen-C

Chacos

Hiking Boots

A few tank tops

A few t-shirts

A few long sleeve shirts

Long Underwear Pants

Face Wash

Leatherman

Headlamp

5 Packs of Gum :)

Laptop

Camera

Sunglasses

Headband

Watch

Earplugs

Chapstick

Granola Bars

Nacho -- my stuffed elephant that also survived Nepal

A hat

Passport

Wallet

Cash Money

Pens

One last visit from AP, helped my folks get some wood on the porch and off I go.