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Author Topic: I'm going to Africa and I'm taking... an apple.
aiua
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The first part is true, I am going to Africa, Tanzania to be exact, but I'm not taking an apple. Actually, I'm not quite sure what I should be taking.

We're going for ten days and leaving next Friday. The people in charge of the trip sent us a little list of things to bring, flashlights and special socks and stuff like that, but they weren't too specific about what types of clothing to bring with.
We went to a camping/super outdoorsy store last night and the guy tried to convince us that we were in desperate need of all this overpriced merchandise and that we'd die without it.
Just how important is a shirt with wicking? Is it worth the $38.99 listed on the price tag? Or can I get away with the basic 100% cotton t-shirt?

If you have ever been to Africa, what sort of gear would you suggest bringing?

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Lupus
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I've never gone to Africa, but I have played in tennis tournaments, and run in some 10k races and those shirts do make a big difference. You won't die without it, heck people have been living in Africa since the dawn of time without them...but you will be less comfortable.
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ElJay
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If you're going to be exercising/doing physical labor outdoors in a hot climate, wicking is really nice. It means the shirt won't end up clinging to you drenched with sweat like a cotton t-shirt would. But if they only time you're ever going to use it is for a 10 day trip? Meh, not sure it's worth it.

Also, what are you going for? Is it a mission trip, a safari, a work trip? That makes a big difference.

I don't have recommendations either way, mind you, since I've never been, but knowing will probably help out the people who do. [Smile]

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Nighthawk
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Random anecdote: when travelling to Cuba, if you're staying at your typical (as in a not-multi-millionare) hotel, on the list of things they recommend you bring there is "one lightbulb."

Beyond proving that tidbit of useless information, can't really help you.

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aiua
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It's a safari and, far as I know, that means we're sitting in a truck. For extended periods.
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Annie
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How exciting! Africa! I had a farm in Africa...

On a tangential note ('cause that's all I'm good for), we played this alphabet game in my English class in Japan. When we got to Q, everyone was stumped. "Q? What can we bring that starts with Q?" I ask. And then Brother Oyama, a quiet, mild ojiichan, says....

"Q cumber."

"Actually, that starts with C..." I start, and then pause and realize that he just made a joke. [Smile]

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aspectre
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A tunafish sandwich. Tigers can't resist tunafish sandwiches.
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aiua
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I wish we were going to Kenya. I could do with a snorkel.
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aspectre
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Since you aren't going to be on the coast, remember that the average elevation of Tanzania is over 1kilometre/3281feet; the average elevation of the Serengeti is 1500metres, nearly a mile high. Combined with the fact that Tanzania is so close to the equator, you are probably going to be experiencing more sunlight than you are used to, and a LOT more UltraViolet. Less atmosphere between you and the Sun, more sunlight, even more UV, and even greater likelyhood of sunburn.

Even if you have a good tan, take very strong sunscreen, a zinc/titanium oxide sunblock for your neck&shoulders and your face (if you don't mind wearing "war paint"), 2pairs of good sunglasses (in case you lose one; tariffs tend to make quality Western goods very expensive), a wide-brim hat, long dark pants, and long-sleeved dark shirts.

Contrary to "white clothing reflects, so it's better in the sunlight", white clothing reflects sunlight directly through the fabric onto the skin. Check out the difference between hanging a white cloth in front of a window and hanging a black cloth.
Most people's legs tend to handle sunlight better than the rest of their body, so you might decide that shorts are okay. But don't forget loose-fitting dark (black/brown/"drab"green/etc) long-sleeved shirts.
After you get settled with the routine, you might decide to go with a t-shirt or a short-sleeved shirt, but those are readily available for tourists. Whereas you might need a long-sleeved shirt, and those are scarcer, especially dark-colored shirts. What's the most readily available is what tourists are most likely to buy, and tourists are "African adventure"movie/documentary trained to superstitiously pick light colors.

Check out the traditional summer clothing on the Mediterranean coast, and bedouin robes. Black to block out sunlight. Extremely loose-fitting to allow the air to circulate under the clothing, thereby evaporating sweat for cooling. Traditional clothing became traditional for a reason.

Good hiking boots. Two pairs are better to let one pair air&dry while wearing the other.
And more pairs of socks than you think you'll need. Clean dry socks will do more for comfortable hiking, comfortable living than most people think.
Easy slip-on sandals/flip-flops/beach shoes/etc for lounging, the quick step out, the shower. You really don't want to go running around barefoot.

Wear those sunglasses. Remember that there is significantly more sunlight reflecting off of objects around you than normal.
Too much UV hitting your eyes eventually catches up with you when you become older: often as poorer night-vision, poorer focusing ability, and poorer vision-clarity even with corrective lenses.

[ March 11, 2007, 01:54 AM: Message edited by: aspectre ]

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maui babe
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I'm sure you're aware of it, but Yellow Fever Vaccination is recommended for travelers to endemic areas and may be required to cross certain international borders. I just did a quick check and it looks like it's not required at this time for Tanzania, but you didn't mention what other places you're going to be traveling through or to. You can check for requirements by country here.

I'm sure you're also aware of the risks of malaria, Dengue and other diseases, but if you have any questions, the CDC website has a very extensive traveler's health page here.

Be aware that even if you take malaria prophylaxis (which your physician can prescribe and which you should discuss carefully with him/her), there are many other illnesses that are transmitted by mosquito and other biting insects for which there is no vaccine or treatment, so be extra extra extra careful to avoid insect bites. Also, avoid fresh water exposure, don't go barefoot, avoid strange animals, and be very careful what you eat. For fresh produce, the rule of thumb is cook it, peel it or forget it.

[Hat]

Now that I've scared you to death, I'll take off my public health hat and wish you a good trip.

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pH
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quote:
Originally posted by aspectre:
Since you aren't going to be on the coast, remember that the average elevation of Tanzania is well over 1kilometre/3300feet; the average elevation of the Serengeti is 1500metres, nearly a mile high. Combined with the fact that Tanzania is so close to the equator, you are probably going to be experiencing more sunlight than you are used to, and a LOT more UltraViolet. Less atmosphere between you and the Sun, more sunlight, more UV, more likelyhood of sunburn.

Even if you have a good tan, take very strong sunscreen, a zinc/titanium oxide sunblock for your neck and your face(if you don't mind wearing "war paint"), 2pairs of good sunglasses (in case you lose one; tariffs tend to make quality Western goods very expensive), a wide-brim hat, long dark pants, and long-sleeved dark shirts.

Contrary to "white clothing reflects, so it's better in the sunlight", white clothing reflects sunlight directly through the fabric onto the skin. Check out the difference between hanging a white cloth in front of a window and hanging a black cloth.
Most people's legs tend to handle sunlight better than the rest of their body, so you might decide that shorts are okay. But don't forget loose-fitting dark (black/brown/"drab"green/etc) long-sleeved shirts.
After you get settled with the routine, you might decide to go with a t-shirt or a short-sleeved shirt, but those are readily available for tourists. Whereas you might need a long-sleeved shirt, and those are scarcer, especially dark-colored shirts. What's the most readily available is what tourists are most likely to buy, and tourists are "African adventure" movie trained to superstitiously pick light colors.

Check out the traditional summer clothing on the Mediterranean coast, and bedouin robes. Black to block out sunlight. Extremely loose-fitting to allow the air to circulate under the clothing, thereby evaporating sweat for cooling. Traditional clothing becomes traditional for a reason.

Good hiking boots. Two pair are better to let one pair air&dry while wearing the other.
And more pairs of socks than you think you'll need. Clean dry socks will do more for comfortable hiking, comfortable living than most people think.
Easy slip-on sandals/flip-flops/beach shoes/etc for lounging, the quick step out, the shower. You really don't want to go running around barefoot.

Wear those sunglasses. Remember that there is significantly more sunlight reflecting off of objects around you than normal.
Too much UV hitting your eyes eventually catches up with you when you become older: often as poorer night-vision, poorer focusing ability, and poorer vision-clarity even with corrective lenses.

So far as sunblocks go, when I was in Brazil, I used Ozone SPF 70. I reapplied often. And managed to avoid sunburn despite being a vampire. I've used it before when I've had to be outside for long periods and have sometimes been the only one NOT to burn, even though I was the absolute palest.

-pH

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The Rabbit
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Definitely bring a long sleeved loose fitting light weight woven cotton shirt. Don't go with knitted cotton like you find in T-shirts, its much hotter. For me this is an absolute essential in hot sunny weather. I burn easily and sometimes develop a sun alergy rash. Even the highest SPF level sunblock doesn't work as well for me as a long sleeved shirt. What's more, sunscreen doesn't keep the bugs away.

I typically go with white as is customary in South western North America. I've read all the theories about darker fabrics but white still seems to work best for me.

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aiua
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Aspectre, wow. That was fabulous, thanks. I had always thought that lighter colors were best, but what you say makes sense. We were told that we shouldn't go too dark, because of all the dust - it would make our clothes seem dirtier faster.

Maui babe, we started malaria pills today. As far as I know, we won't be in any yellow fever areas. As for food, apparently the cooking preparations are highly regulated and that there is a very minute chance of sickness from that. Don't worry about scaring me - I read The Hot Zone a few days ago and was thoroughly creeped out.

Was this it, pH? I have to be especially careful of not getting too much sun, it reacts badly with some meds I'm on.


Thanks for all the suggestions, I will definitely keep them in mind.

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