packing for the Middle East

Timothy Ferriss of the Four-Hour Workweek wrote this lovely post on How to Travel the World with 10 Pounds or Less (Plus: How to Negotiate Convertibles and Luxury Treehouses).

I started packing with the best of intentions.

And then it became obvious that Timothy Ferriss probably does not feel any less himself if he does not use conditioner. More importantly, he does not wear contact lenses, or have any suspicions of menstruating. And once you've packed all that, you might as well throw in some eyeshadow, twenty-five Luna bars, and the Dove firming lotion.

And then the Pentagon informs that I will need to bring my own pillow to Iraq. I guess it didn't sound like a particularly cushy place.