The Third Wave_ A Volunteer Story - Alison Thompson [84]
• Bring along water filtration tablets or a water filtration system. Never drink the local water or anything with ice in it—even ice cubes are made from the local tap water and will make you sick.
• Bring along packets of electrolytes (or even little packets of salt and sugar, which are cheaper and work just as well) to empty into your water bottle. Most third-world countries are hot, and it’s important to stay hydrated, which doesn’t just mean drinking water; you also have to take care to replace the electrolytes that are depleted from your body when you sweat.
• During a disaster there is no time for vanity. Pack basic toiletries—unscented cosmetics are best because they won’t attract bugs. (The exception, of course, is Chanel No. 5, or any small travel-size bottle of your favorite perfume. You’ll want it to dab under your nose to cover up the smell of decay, sewage, trash, and dead bodies.) Leave your hair dryer, curling iron, and bags of makeup at home—but do bring some lipstick and a light foundation with sunscreen in it for day wear. Sunscreen and insect repellent are essential. In the first weeks after a disaster, water is very hard to come by and you might not be able to shower, so bring along wet wipes to clean yourself with. Take a good hair conditioner and a few disposable razors, unless you plan on going au naturel, which many volunteers end up doing. I’ve never been able to find tampons on any of my trips to a third-world country, so be sure to bring what you’ll need. At certain Sri Lankan border crossings, mine were even thought to be bullets!
• Flashlights and batteries are a must. A light that secures on your head is perfect for leaving your hands free when you’re working in the dark.
• I’ve found that the following miscellaneous items always come in handy: glow sticks, waterproof matches, rubber gloves, plastic garbage bags, two walkie-talkies, rope, duct tape, a Swiss Army knife, a watch, and a compass.
• It’s hard to know in advance where you will be sleeping, so pack a small tent and a fold-up yoga mat. I’ve found that light, silk sleeping bags, which fold up into the size of your hand, come in handy and don’t take up too much space. If you’re going to a country where malaria is a problem, bring along a mosquito net to protect yourself while you sleep.
• You should be able to rely on the local food wherever you are going, but it is always a good idea to take along a decent supply of energy bars to tide you over until you can find something more substantial to eat.
• To make friends fast and to put a smile on a sad child’s face, take along stickers, bubbles, pencils, or any other small, cheap toys.
• I recommend bringing the following items of clothing:
• Two light, long-sleeved tops to protect your skin from sunburn and to wear during religious ceremonies
• One pair of long pants for walking through jungle areas and for cold nights
• One light sweater
• One light, cotton, below-the-knee skirt or a pair of knee-length shorts to wear on scorching-hot days
• Two pairs of sturdy cotton underwear (no G-strings—they will give you rashes in the heat) and two cotton bras
• Cotton socks
• One bathing suit to wear in outdoor showers or for swimming on a day off
• A pair of flip-flops to wear in the shower and for relaxing
• Army boots or sturdy walking shoes are a must. You will probably end up walking in the jungle or in mountainous areas. Expect to be wearing your shoes for fifteen hours a day, so invest a little money in them.
• Bring along one piece of nice clothing. You never know when you’re going to be rerouted home through Paris or when you’ll meet a cute guy or