Travel and Packing Tips

Krista Harris has offered this advice based on her last trip to Malawi:

When I traveled to Malawi in September of 2006, there was not enough time to book a hotel room during our layover. If you have the time and the money, it would be a great gift to your body to take a shower and get horizontal for 4-6 hours. I would not deal with suitcases, though. Just a change of underwear would be awesome! I don't believe that Heathrow has sleeping cubbies to rent, but it would be worth checking this out. Meghan and I are going on frequent flier miles to Malawi and will be on a completely different flight than the group. We have a marathon flight from Chicago to Johannesburg that refuels en route in Dakur, Senegal without allowing passengers to leave the airplane. I estimate that we will be in that plane for close to 18 hours and plenty crazy. I am bringing xanex and sleeping pills - I highly recommend these. Some people also had very good luck with the jet lag tablets that are now available in travel stores. I think they help.

It is very helpful to wear support knee high socks on these long trips. Nurses wear these to help support their legs when working long shifts. You can purchase them at uniform supply stores. These knee socks help reduce or eliminate leg swelling - most of us suffered from that during our flights to Malawi and for a few days afterward.

Here are some clothing suggestions I received before my previous trip to Malawi in September of 2006. (With a few additions from me.) Masankho and Phil and Cynthia should be sending something like this out soon, I imagine. My main question for Masankho is: how different is the weather in August from that in September when I visited?

Dress and packing - some helpful hints:
* MALAWI IS A CONSERVATIVE country (thanks to the Scottish Presbyterians!) and we should be respectful of their customs and culture. While shorts are fine, we should avoid overly revealing or provocative clothing.
* Pack lightly, and don't plan on bringing a new outfit for every day of the trip
* (When I was in Malawi, there were a couple of opportunities to have our clothing washed. I imagine this will also be the case at the Kande Beach Resort, www.kandebeach.com.) Bring woolite or something similar for handwashing anything small.
* Bring comfortable shoes- sturdy walking shoes and perhaps a pair of Tevas or flip-flops.
* Long pants and shorts are fine.
* Conservative sundresses that can be worn with a T-shirt underneath and a lightweight outer layer are great. Skirts can be very comfortable if it is warm.
* One outfit that is fairly nice (like a casual dinner outfit) if you wish.
* We may get a touch of rain so bring a small umbrella and/or a light rain poncho.
* The weather should be similar to that of the Northern California but different seasons.(I was in Malawi in September which was between their winter and spring.) It was warm, sometimes hot, sometimes cool.
* We will be able to go swimming at Lake Malawi. Masankho has identified safe places for us to swim so bring a suit if you like.

Light clothing is essential.
You want to feel comfortable when the temperature rises and when it drops.
A jersey for cool weather and late nights.
Long sleeved shirts and light trousers help keep mosquitoes at bay at night.
Shorts are fine.
Hat
Sun block
Medications
Insect repellant
First aid kit
Reading material
Binoculars
Camera
Electric adapters

Even though everyone worried about getting diarrhea, most of us suffered from constipation! Bring something to deal with this possibility as well.

ALSO:
PLEASE REMEMBER, when we leave Malawi to return home
you need to have $30.00 in U.S. cash to exit the airport.