It's the End of the World (as we know it)

T-minus 5 days until I leave the civilized world as I know it! While this is causing a mix of nerves and a few profound realizations (I've never gone that long without milk!), the focus for the past month has been on preparing for 2.5 months without medical care, mail, or a building with real walls.

One of the requirements of the program is that assistants be graduates of college. I'm proud to put a big CHECK by that! I now hold a college degree, complete with minor, which is primarily useful for applying to graduate school and traveling to Spanish speaking countries with high biodiviersity!
 The university hasn't sent out the diplomas yet, but they did hand out classy "Alumni" drink coozies, which seems just as valid.

Since graduation, I've scoured two cities and the internet for the various supplies on needs in the middle of a

Not Sufficient

jungle. Apparently, my plan for international travel packing isn't going to be sufficient this time.

Every soap-like item needs to be scentless and biodegradable, while everything else needs it's own air-tight case and packet of silica gel ("US passports are especially known to mold withing a few weeks").

For when the other options is 'cut off the bitten limb and pray"

Incidentally, when your're living hours upriver of the nearest road, you are also hours upriver from the nearest medical facility of any form. In additions to a normal super-duty first aid kit, I had to get 5 shots, 3 rounds of antibiotics, 2 epi-pens (in case you're allergic to bullet ants, or really any other South American bug that you haven't had chance to rule out allergies through trial and error yet), and one terrifying-looking device called The Extractor. It is now my primary goal of the trip, and life, to never need to use it.

I think I almost have all (or half) the supplies I'll need. Unfortunately, half of my living room is covered in  masses of medical supplies, unscented deodorant, field guides, clean socks, and "Zote: the pink bar laundry soap", all of which need to fit in one checked bag light enough to carry through the muddy streets of Puerto Maldonado. It may be time to start lifting weights.