Well, I don't have any additional Philippines news since I last posted in May, but I feel the need to comment on trying to pack for two years abroad. I've recently begun considering what clothes I need to bring...and am having one heck of a time deciding on anything! All the Peace Corps literature says that women in the Philippines need to dress more conservatively than is customary in the U.S., and this is throwing me for a loop. Don't get me wrong - it's not like I normally dress like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman (pre-Rodeo Drive shopping spree), but I've started questioning the clothes I would normally wear for a day at the office. Is that v-neck too deep? Skirt too short? What about sleeveless shirts? I don't want to set off an international incident here! And it's going to be hot...I can't wear long sleeves when it's hot!
Of course my indecision over what to bring hasn't stopped me from buying new clothes left and right - most of which probably aren't appropriate for teaching, but which are cute warm weather clothing. And I'll need cute warm weather clothing, right?! I assume there'll be times when I need a nice summer dress. And when that time comes, I'll have...a few!
I've always prided myself on being an excellent packer, but after this experience I may have to rethink that. Luckily I still have two months to get through this clothing crisis and emerge on the other side a better, more conservatively-dressed person. Wish me luck! :)
