What+to+Pack+When+Moving+Here

Everyone wants to know what the most essential items are to include in their shipment and luggage. Here are some suggestions from those who have come before you:

A winter coat
One day during a cold snap in January a new teacher walked up to me and said "You should have told me I needed to bring my parka!" We laughed, but I realized that I should tell new teachers that although the winter in Tegucigalpa is mild for the most part, there are some bitterly cold and windy cold fronts that come through from time to time. I am guessing that you are laughing to yourself because I used the term "bitterly cold" and you can't imagine that is possible down here. Well, I admit, I may be exaggerating a little bit, but it's all relative. When you've been here for a few months you adjust to the temperate climate and you begin to take it for granted. When a cold front comes through, it can catch you off-guard. Believe me, you will want a jacket from time to time. Either pack one, or be ready to buy one by November or December. At the very least, bring a good scarf. --N. Pawlik

Also on this note bring a good comforter. Houses are a bit drafty when the wind is blowing and for the few weeks that it is cold it can get pretty chilly inside the house.- E. Lofchie

I don't have a winter coat but ended up buying some thick woolly sweaters down here (comparable price to home). As for the comforter, I bought mine here in Tegus. It's decent, does the trick and wasn't too pricey (think I bought it at Diunsa for about $35 - King). I also bought an oversized fleece blanket that was about the same price (from Stock). I didn't mail down the 6 boxes (or whatever we're allowed) as I'm from Canada, but did later have 2 boxes shipped down with a few things. For me, here are the things I am happy I packed or wished I had: - plastic shoe organizers (cheap ones that hang with many pockets from dollarstore at home now acts as my holder for socks and underwear, as there are no drawers in my apartment for these things) - old calendar with nice photos (to dress up the concrete walls of my apartment) - slippers (for around the house, as there aren't carpets and the floors sometimes get cold) - tampons for the ladies (harder to find here and also more expensive) - WOOL! I'm a big knitter and wool has been VERY difficult to find here! - Bed sheets (I've survived with the bedding I bought down here but the sheets seem overpriced and not as good quality) - Shaving cream and Hair mousse - also hard to find here or ridiculously overpriced - oversized canvas bag that I use for beach vacations or when I go to the grocery store, so that I don't have a million plastic ones! Otherwise, things are pretty accessible here. - S. Willett
 * My Packing List**