I'm a few months away from my next trip to Africa so I'm starting to plan in earnest. Do you have some quick tips to share about your travels? Here are few ideas to get started:
How to pack?
Light and portable with an empty duffel bag to fill up with goodies for the trip home. Also with as much as you can in your carry-on so when your luggage gets lost (it will get lost eventually - more than once), you can still enjoy your trip. On my last trip to Africa all my checked luggage was lost during a flight connection and I didn't get it for 5 days - it happens, plan for it.
What to pack?
Micron water filtration and UV Sterilizer
Cipro anti-biotic which can't be found in many countries
Anti-malarial pills if you are going to an area with malaria bearing mosquitoes
Basic first aid kit (some people carry advanced first aid kits with some basic medical equipment like syringes and things that are sterilized so bush doctors can use those on you instead of theirs which might be dirty)
How to fly?
I like to use regularly scheduled service rather than consolidators or charters because even though it costs more, I know I'll arrive about on time and be able to get right to work.
Register with the US Embassy when you arrive or in advance.
Do your research before you go. How's the political climate? Has the government been overthrown lately or is the country on the verge of civil war? How's the weather at that time of year? What diseases are present or having outbreaks? How safe/unsafe is the local water/ice? How's the crime rate and what are the most common crimes?
Those are just a couple of ideas to get started. I look forward to seeing your travel tips!
Sweet post!
Check out this YouTube video on "Fair Trade Tourism"
I thought that someone's comment on the video was interesting:
"Tourism currently accounts for 5 percent of global emissions of heat-trapping greenhouse gases, and the sector's contribution to global warming is expected to jump as increasing numbers of people travel, particularly by air. "The tourism industry is going to double between now and 2020. We cannot afford that the emissions also double in the same time," World Tourism Organization Secretary-General Francesco Frangialli told journalists during a conference in the Swiss resort of Davos."
Thanks for blogging!
Lauren
(W.O.G. employee, but my own opinions)
I've only been to a developing country to visit family or through a hosted program. What tips do folks have if I want to travel somewhere that I may not necessarily speak the language or no one person!
Check out this related Blog post: t-1045
Nice video! Jet travel is a gross polluter no doubt. For vacations, you can also look for travel companies that offer carbon offsets like this one: http://www.responsibletravel.com/or companies that offer more than just a vacation like this one that specializes in Belize: http://www.beyondtouring.com/ We loved the community service day in a remote village, staying in solar powered lodges and having a trip tailored by an archaeologist that had lived and worked there for more than 20 years. I guess the advice is, if you're going to travel and create a lot of pollution from flying in a jet, try to make a difference for the local people during your stay as a guest in their country.
Also - check out: p-2467