Essentials for Her

You know those moments in life when you look straight into someone’s face, and you know the face, you love the face, but you think, “W-h-a-t is that face talking about?” Well, every time Lionel and I leave for a trip, I have one of these moments. And for some reason, it always happens when I’m disheveled, usually wearing pyjamas and… standing over a backpack. Packing. It is a nightmare to do in the company of a boy. The poor things just don’t get it. I’m not particularly high-maintenance and Lionel’s a pretty cool guy about these things, but something just happens over the backpack. He turns into Ridiculous Roughin’ It Man and I turn into… a girl.

Leaving Addis Ababa to be on the road for 5 weeks in Africa after being stationary for a few months, “the moment” came again. So, in pure He Said/She Said spirit, we’re airing this baby out. Here is a complete list of what I believe I need:

• Long sleeves, short sleeves: different styles for different occasions
• Pants: 3 pairs, different styles
• Skirts: 2 pairs
• Shorts: 1 pair
• Boxers for sleeping
• Tanktops: 3 (some for sleeping, some for hot days)
• Bikini
• Socks, underwear, bra (2 pairs plus sports bra)
• Shawls: for when revealing your shoulders is breaking cultural codes
• Head scarf: for when revealing your hair is breaking cultural codes
• Workout top and pants, in case there’s a gym somewhere or I feel like going for a run
• Shoes (a severe point of contention): hiking shoes, running shoes, sandals for walking, flip-flops for the shower and the beach, boots for cooler weather in urban settings, and one nice-ish pair for dinners or special events
• All usual toiletries (soap, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush, floss, hairbrush, nail clippers, shaving cream, 2 or 3 razors, baby powder, shampoo, conditioner, body cream, sunscreen, facial wash and moisturizer), plus… ok, ok, I know this is pushing it, but – Velcro hair rollers and a hair dryer, for emergencies only
• Aloe Vera for bites and sunburns, antiseptic lotion, flea powder, bobby pins, hair elastics, Q-tips
• Tampons
• First Aid Kit with the usual: bandages, Tylenol/Ibuprofen, Immodium, Pepto Bismol, insect repellent, malaria pills, small scissors, safety pins, water purification tablets, grapefruit seed extract and acidophilus (for miracle funky stomach prevention)
• One towel for the both of us
• Sleeping bag
• A few rings, bracelets and necklaces (nothing valuable)
• Make-up: bare minimum
• Yoga mat (non-negotiable)
• Guidebook
• Mosquito net
• Novels, 2 or 3 at least, a couple of pens, a notebook for diary entries, personal epiphanies, philosophical breakthroughs , and a separate notebook for sloppy notes and e-mail addresses of new friends
• Scotch tape and glue (you’d be shocked to know how many times WE have used them)
• Universal adaptors
• Agenda, chapstick, playing cards, eyeglasses, pocket mirror, MP3 player, earphones, watch, alarm clock
• Camera, laptop (first time we’ve travelled with one and love it – makes writing and downloading photos a breeze)
• All necessary documents: health insurance papers, passport photos for visa applications

So, there it is… A list created by a feminine mind – but hey, someone has to think of everything.

This entry was posted on Monday, May 14th, 2007 at 8:11 pm and is filed under She Said. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site. Add to del.icio.us.