EPTGot any advice for staying in Africa (about 2-3 months)?
Any good ideas as to how not to get my skin burnt to a crisp whilst out there for so long?
Thanks
Going to Africa: Advice?
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TechniQ.UK
United Kingdom391 Posts
Got any advice for staying in Africa (about 2-3 months)? Any good ideas as to how not to get my skin burnt to a crisp whilst out there for so long? Thanks | ||
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SolHeiM
Sweden1264 Posts
Keep in mind that sunscreen doesn't make you immune to the effects of sunlight, only offers some protection which has limits as well. | ||
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kcaz
Canada387 Posts
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Firereaver
India1701 Posts
Malaria prophylaxis... Yeah and Africa is just like any other tropical country and you wont get burned to a crisp as long as you have common sense and aren't going to the Sahara regions. | ||
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[Eternal]Phoenix
United States333 Posts
Also FUCKING AVOID HIPPOS THEY WILL KILL YOU! | ||
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MarryMeSeanPlott
United States42 Posts
Take a handkerchief/hand towel. Comes in useful if you eat with your hands. If you have a cell phone you want to take, and it's tri-/quad-band GSM, unlock it before you go. Then you can buy a local, cheap SIM card and use it with your phone. Be prepared to pay a bribe before you even get out of the airport, especially if you look like a young, unexperienced guy, and especially if you are transporting fancy technology. A couple US $50s, for instance. If it looks like a bribe is expected, offer money as a "special fee". Be confident. You probably won't need to, but if you do, you want to get it right the first time. I have very pale skin, but I never got badly burned. I used an "SPF shirt", a hat, and SPF 50 sunscreen. Stuff with Avobenzone is the good stuff. If you wear long sleeves to protect yourself from the sun, you might get hot. You want to keep hydrated. Then you will sweat like a pig. Accept this into your heart, and embrace the sweat. If you bring a camera, bring two memory cards, and switch them out with each other. If your camera is pinched, you will still have half your pictures. Don't have sex with a native. Unprotected sex with many partners is normal for young people. STDs are rampant. If you are propositioned with marriage, the best response is "I love you like a sister". | ||
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Kamille
Monaco1035 Posts
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indecision
Germany818 Posts
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SCC-Faust
United States3736 Posts
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XXGeneration
United States625 Posts
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PanN
United States2828 Posts
On February 08 2011 05:38 XXGeneration wrote: Watch out for da' AIDS. hahahha! You are so damn witty! Get it! Aids! Africa! Hahahahhaah! Oh man you're killing me here! I can't breathe! | ||
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TheGreatWhiteHope_
United States335 Posts
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PanN
United States2828 Posts
On February 08 2011 06:09 TheGreatWhiteHope_ wrote: Wear a rubber. And the guy above me could have had about half the "haha" and I would have gotten the sarcasm. Ease up there big guy. To the guy above me, you having to read the "haha" to know I was sarcastic is pretty sad honestly. But I eased up for you, since I'm a big guy. hahahahahahhahaha | ||
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Orome
Switzerland11984 Posts
I've got a friend who used to live in Zambia, I can ask her for some tips if you really want. | ||
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lvatural
United States347 Posts
Just one of the many hits on Google. Why don't you tell us why you're goint to Zambia, seeing as that's generally the point you're trying to flaunt here. Do it right and tell us everything:D | ||
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TheGreatWhiteHope_
United States335 Posts
On February 08 2011 06:11 PanN wrote: To the guy above me, you having to read the "haha" to know I was sarcastic is pretty sad honestly. But I eased up for you, since I'm a big guy. hahahahahahhahaha Did you even read what I wrote? Eh, just never mind not going to get into a flame war. | ||
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Fallen33
United States596 Posts
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MacroNcheesE
United States508 Posts
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Daigomi
South Africa4316 Posts
On February 08 2011 06:19 Orome wrote: Are you just asking for the hell of it or do you actually need help surviving there? :p I've got a friend who used to live in Zambia, I can ask her for some tips if you really want. If you're just going to stay there, you really don't need to worry about too much. You won't run into any bribing, lions, or African dictatorships. Seriously, there's no reason not to go, you should love it. As far as I know, Zambia is one of the most tourist friendly countries in Africa as well. Some things that might be useful to know though:
- Summer is from Dec-Feb, but it can stay quite hot unti mid-late April. However, it shouldn't be too bad, just use sunblock and you'll be fine. Obviously if you'll be working in the sun all day long then look at ways to avoid sunstroke etc., but otherwise you don't really need to worry about it. - Not 100% sure about this, but chances are that mosquitos will be your biggest problem. Not only do they carry malaria, they are very common and annoying as shit. Get something to protect against the malaria, and be prepared for the mosquitos. You do get anti-mosquito salves and things like citronella oil, but personally I find sleeping with a fan on to be much more effective. - Once again not 100% sure about AIDS in Zambia, but do keep it in mind. In SA the AIDS rate is something like 18%, which is in a completely different ballpark from anything foreigners are used to. Zambia is lower (since SA has the highest rate in the world), but its probably still significantly higher than anything in the UK. Other than that, it really isn't that much different. Just enjoy the time in Africa, it should be great  | ||
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Myrkskog
Canada481 Posts
+ Show Spoiler + HIV | ||
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TechniQ.UK
United Kingdom391 Posts
Yes I'm genuinely looking for advice. Thanks | ||
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Almin
United States583 Posts
1) Gun 2) Gun experience at gun range - You might get robbed or killed or both - 3) Mosquito net 4) Bribe Money 5) A LOT of vaccines. 6) Strong stomach. 7) Paranoia, don't trust the local people, you might get kidnapped! Know who your contacts are 8) Have Jack Baur's number on speed dial (srs) Okay last ones a joke, but the other ones are definitely true. | ||
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HeadhunteR
Argentina1258 Posts
But yeah be careful with AIDS, remember you can pay less for anything that is in a market so try to get a good deal out of anything that is sold on the street. Be careful with the beggars and steer away from the dope dealers. | ||
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Kamille
Monaco1035 Posts
On February 08 2011 06:44 Myrkskog wrote: There is one positive thing about Africa. + Show Spoiler + HIV Clever. | ||
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