El Salvador is HOT, and sometimes it is also rainy (May - November, it rains once or twice a day, heavily.) Pack light. Wear socially appropriate clothing - you will stand out no matter what you wear and you will represent your group, COAR, and your country.

Packing guidelines:
	do not pack shorts, uncomfortable shoes, or overtly sexy clothing. Despite the heat Salvadorans rarely wear shorts or overtly sexy clothing. It will be interpreted as a sign of disrespect or an invitation for unwanted attention.
	pack a flashlight, bug spray, sunscreen, hat, personal water bottle
	pack light-weight pants (like khakis) or pedal-pushers and skirts
	Pack an umbrella – lightweight and compact. Check current regulations regarding checking umbrellas (vs. carry-on). You will probably find it too hot to wear a rain coat.
	pack good walking shoes; do not wear open-toed sandals except around the guest house - there is lots of muck in the streets.
	pack something nice for mass on Sunday
	pack swim suit (reasonably modest - no string bikinis) and beach towel
	bring shampoo, toothpaste, etc. - COAR has a limited supply of the basics in case you forget, but there is no place to buy these near COAR
	do not pack a hair-dryer; electricity at COAR is expensive and the circuits will overload
	pack light - the only clothes storage in the guest house is a small closet for hanging clothes. You will be living out of your suitcase for most of the time.
	there is an iron and ironing board in the guest house - Salvadorans are always clean and pressed
	Laundry: Washing machines and dryers are not available. Laundry must be done by hand, the traditional Salvadoran way using a pila - you'll love it! A pila is a large concrete tub with side counters (outside the guesthouse), used to store water for a variety of washing purposes. Drying in the rainy season can take more than 24 hours - plan accordingly.