My job length in Mali is vague…anywhere from 6 months to as long as I want. I will be living in a very dry and hot climate literally brushing up on the Sahara Desert. One would think packing would be as easy as 1, 2 3, tank tops, shorts and flip flops.
However, I am not going on vacation and cannot dress like a Peace Corps volunteer (the tank top, wrap skirt, anklets, flip flops and hair up in rats nest of a bun). I will be a working professional living in a 3-bedroom house (instead of a hut), traveling by car (rather than donkey) and working in an office (instead of the fields). Plus, I will be working directly with authority figures requiring me to pack at least a couple of suits, trousers, loafers, many button-down shirts and formal attire.
In addition to work clothes, I’d like to bring some fashionable threads when scouting the desert (Yes, I know it’s the desert, but c’mon, my pics are probably going to be kind of amazing, and I will need the appropriate fashionable attire to make them frame-worthy). This requires floor length, knee covering garments (Mali is a Muslim country, so women must cover their knees). Although this means none of my miniskirts will make the cut (which fortunately halves my amount of luggage in two), it’s time for me to get to the mall pronto to find those cute trendy floor-length dresses. Any ideas on where to get cheap Maxi dresses?
Finally, one last caveat on the wardrobe, even though I will be living in Mali, I am planning on rendezvous-ing with my boyfriend in romantic Paris or cosmopolitan London every so often, so my skin-tight D&G dress and the Louboutins are definitely finding their way into my luggage.
So now the question is, what else makes the cut? I am the last person that wants to trek across the desert in stilettos with four 100 lb suitcases. So, please help me decide, what should stay and what should go? Let’s begin (naturally) with shoes and remember, think professional, comfortable and sexy! I’ve narrowed it down to the following:
Left to right. Top Row: Brown leather espadrilles, black pricery sexy work/party shoes, black ridiculously hot sexy pricey party shoes, nude color party/work shoes that elongate your legs, charmingly cute Burberry proper work and party shoes
Middle Row: Glamourous gold high platforms $, modest peep-toe black work shoes with spice, trusty 3 year old Dior pumps, Banana Republic cloth espadrilles, Asics sneakers
Bottom Row: Hiking Merrill sandals, red Steve Madden kitten red hot pumps , Talk about bling sandals , Tory classy leather flats, Black flip flops
7 responses to “How do you pack for ‘indefinetly’?”
Tata
July 2nd, 2008 at 22:24
Addidasy ,szpilki zakryte(nude color) i te na dole sandaly zlote
Strczy.
Caluje Tata.Bardzo ladna strona.
Kidy moge przyjechac-moge pomoc w kontraktorce
Kate
July 3rd, 2008 at 23:10
Okay- love the Paris idea with Dave- how romantic!!! When do your rendezvous with sad girlfriends (or do we get to come to Mali!!!!!!!!).
My vote is for the following- you need the merrel sandles, I loved mine in Malawi, the running shoes go, the nude pumps, the black flip flops, the br espedrilles for sure, and then a pair of black heels- I would go for a pair that can be sexy and then work appropriate as well, maybe the trusty diors? I think you should invest in a cheap pair of black flats (I just don’t know if you want to bring those cute ones into the Malian dust). I might also invest in a pair of brown flip flops with a little bling (either the ones you have OR the ones I just bought half off at Macy’s) the tan is not online but there is gold! go to the store for the tan (I love them, not too much support, but they are comfy) http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=308550&CategoryID=36870&LinkType=EverGreen
Kate
July 3rd, 2008 at 23:14
Just looked again- I would add the black peep to BR heels ( I remember that shopping trip) Those would be great heels for a trip with dave or a party. I am staying away from your favorites because even though this is not PC and a grown up job, you don’t want to ruin some of your favorite shoes that you cannot replace- ie the Buberry ebay find or the super sexy redbottomed ones that you clean after each use!
Kash
July 7th, 2008 at 15:40
I love thos shoes Kate! Wanna go to Macy’s with me when you are in town?
Kate
July 8th, 2008 at 19:26
I am always your girl for a shopping trip!
Shamelessly Sassy
July 9th, 2008 at 20:04
Keep them all, I say.
robin
July 11th, 2008 at 22:32
No boots? What do the engineers (female) wear there?
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