Shona Witch Doctor in Zimbabwe

Once you have made sure you have all desired and required vaccinations for your upcoming trip, it is time to start packing your travel medicine kit. Below are three handy lists that I hope will help you complete your next packing endeavor.

Whether for SG Guatemala July 2010 or SG Ethiopia November 2010, this list applies to any trip to the developing world and remote places on our small planet.  Always visit the Centers for Disease Control website and enter your destination.  In addition, the CDC website has a search option to find a travel clinic near you.

‘The Traveler’s Medicine Cabinet’ by Dr. Richard Wenzel
Items that should be in every tourists first aid kit from Budget Travel Magazine
1. Antacid (Pepto Bismol, Pepcid Complete)
2. Bandages and First Aid Antibiotic Ointment  (Band-Aids, Nexcare, Neosporin, Polysporin, or Bacitracin)
3. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin)
4. Insect repellent with over 30% deet  (Ultrathon 34%, Ben’s 30% Deet)
5. Motion Sickness Remedy (Dramamine, Marezine, Hyland’s Motion Sickness-Homeopathic, Pepogest-natural, )
6. Anti-Diarrheal (Imodium, Pepto Bismol,
7.  Antihistamines or Allergy Medicine (Benadryl)
8. Sunscreen
9. Antibiotic (Zithromax, Cipro)
10. Anti-Inflamatory Cream (Cortaid, 1% Hydrocortisone Cream)

Some alternatives to the above list can be found at the terrific Vagabondish Travelzine.
‘The Traveller’s Medicine Cabinet’ by Robert Evans
1. Kratom- “an anti-depressant, analgesic, or a stimulant. It has immuno-stimulant properties and can also be used to treat diarrhea.”
2. Kava Kava- Acts as a numbing agent, also can treat social anxiety and stress.
3. Oil of Oregano- Combats intestinal parasites, fights the flu and colds, and relieves cramps.
4. Ginger Root- Treats nausea, diarrhea, and seasickness
5. Kanna- Robert Evans says Kanna is a “mood elevator and an anti-anxiety medication. It also works as an appetite suppressant, and can lead to tiredness and vivid dreaming. In other words, Kanna is the perfect pre-flight medication.”

And finally, here is what I carry in my kit:
-Psi Bands for motion sickness (I wear them on buses to prevent motion sickness), I also carry a small travel vial of Dramamine and Hyland’s Homeopathic Motion Sickness tabs.
-Ginger chews by either The Ginger People or Reed’s.  You can tell I am prone to motion sickness.
-Off-label versions of Advil (muscle soreness), aspirin (good for sunburns), and Aleve (headaches)
-Valerian Root tincture for adjusting to jet lag and time zone differences
-Band-aids in different sizes, a few alcohol swabs, Neosporin
-Benadryl
-Ben’s 30 Deet insect repellent
-Sunscreen for face, for lips, and another for body.  30-50 SPF, and always a sunhat and good sunglasses.
-Digestive enzymes
-Pepto Bismol travel size.  Not only for upset stomach but also to take before eating or drinking suspect food.  It can coat the stomach before a street food adventure and protect from mild bacteria invasions.
-Rehydration salts, and/or Gatorade and EmergenC packets
-Mini deodorent, toothpaste, dental floss, Q-tips, 2-in-1 mini shampoo
-Clean Well hand sanitizer it’s natural, and Wet Ones singles
-Travel pack tissues, I stash packs of tissues in every bag.
-Mini nail file, pack of matches, mini nail clippers and tweezers, collapsible hair brush
-Cipro
-Earplugs
-Red bull in the 3oz size for after a long haul flight

This year I am taking Robert Evans’ advice and bringing Kanna.  I took Klonopin on my long last flight which was to India and it made for very comfortable flying.  Kanna sounds fun and is natural! A great online store for all things mini and travel size is Minimus.biz.  If everything is mini in your pack you reduce baggage weight then you have left more room in your pack for gifts and mementos.

Please comment, add to this list your tried and true travel medicine kit items! Happy Packing!

photo by Rolf Cosar

Yesterday the Pacaya Volcano in Guatemala erupted. Popular TV journalist Anibal Achila was killed by volcanic rocks, about 1,700 people have been displaced, and 3 children are missing.

In less than two months, a SalaamGarage team made up of a select group of citizen journalists (professional and amateur photographers, videographers, bloggers, etc) embark on an exclusive trip to the remote Ixil Triangle in Guatemala.  We are collaborating with NGO Agros International.  Agros provides economic stability and empowerment for farmers and families through land ownership.  The SalaamGarage team will have exclusive access to remote villages where we will create independent projects about the stories unfolding within. Those stories will raise awareness and increase support for Agros’ efforts throughout Central America.

There is 1 spot available for a media maker with the calling to make a big difference for oft neglected and under-served communities of Mayans and other indigenous people in rural Guatemala.  Although the deposit deadline has passed, it is not too late to get onboard. You must email megan@salaamgarage.com asap if you are interested.

Guatemalans always seem to be rebuilding. They have emerged from a 36 year civil war, recovered from landslides, and volcanic eruptions from one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Our stories will help with whatever the aftermath of yesterday’s eruption will be on the already struggling population.

Shot in Guatemala this last July, Noemi and her Mother explain why land ownership has changed their lives in this video: http://www.agros.org/video_gallery.cfm#agrosvideo-4

In addition to visiting villages, we will be exploring the churches and ruins of Antigua, climbing volcano Pacaya if it is safe, observing ancient Mayan rituals in practice at the Chichicastenango market, and staying in “Guatemala’s most magical hotel” on Lake Atitlan.  This is going to be a life changing trip and project.  SalaamGarage founder and internationally renowned documentary photographer Amanda Koster is leading this trip.

SalaamGarage will award the $300 Engage!Refund to 2 Guatemala trip participants who create and follow through on a plan of action utilizing their media production skills to support Agros villages.

All SalaamGarage participants get:
-A SalaamGarage “stories” site.  Stories.SalaamGarage.com is a media share site for those looking to organize and share media gathered during their trip. It works just like a wordpress blog but you get the broader audience.  An example is here: http://stories.salaamgarage.com/michael/
-Refer-a-friend $200 discount on your next trip.
-All past travelers automatically receive a $200 discount
-Free Blurb book, click here for more BLURB partnership info
-Special fund raising support and opportunities exclusive to SalaamGarage participants

Pacaya Volcano on a gentler day

Join us in creating media projects and raising awareness about Agros International’s unique land-lending model that is empowering rural families to pull themselves out of poverty.

This is a great week. Blurb and SalaamGarage began an official partnership. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Blurb, the company has revolutionized the way people can self-publish books of their work be it photographs, illustrations, words, etc.

Let me back up. Our India09 travelers self published a book “India as witnessed by 10 citizen journalists” using Blurb.  They rounded up photos and some very powerful personal stories, got it together and published a book!  Proceeds from the book will support the work of Vatsalya, the SalaamGarage NGO partner in India.

From there, we realized Blurb would make a great partner. Our participants always produce amazing content, and the content is ultimately for the greater good: inspiring stories of social entrepreneurs around the world. Each story is more compelling than the next.

What company doesn’t want to be associated with powerful content and inspiring stories? None.

So, through a few contacts and a Facebook call-out borne was an e-intro between myself and Blurb. From there, Blurb and I talked about what made sense for both of our organizations and a partnership was born.  And this is a really sweet relationship, here is the gist of it:

All SalaamGarage travelers will receive a coupon for a free book of their own content created on their SalaamGarage trip. The coupon is roughly the cost of a standard landscape hardcover book with up to 120 pages. In addition, Blurb will provide another coupon code for 20% off future books. Each participant can use the coupon up to five times!

In addition, for each trip, Blurb will sponsor and contract a Blurb+SalaamGarage specific designer for the creation of a book, combining all participants work. The book will be available through the Blurb bookstore and all proceeds go to the non-profit.

And if that doesn’t excite you enough, Blurb will feature the SalaamGarage project books in their bookstore, and will feature books created by the individual journalists!

And the cherry on top, Blurb will also feature any SalaamGarage book projects on their Facebook and Twitter feeds, and take copies of the books with us when we attend events where it’s appropriate. (They said their CEO was at a TED conference in February, and definitely would have taken one if they’d had it!)

And last, Blurb will also feature the project books and interviews with myself and people who attended the SalaamGarage trips on their blog:http://blog.blurb.com/.

This is awesome to say the least and we are all very excited and grateful.  All of this is included when you travel with SalaamGarage. Seriously, now is the time to jump on. Trips are filling, more partnerships are on the horizon and more press is underway. Shabam.

This new partnership begins with our upcoming Guatemala trip, and we have 2 spots left. Want to get published, work with amazing photographers, have your work featured in the Blurb worldwide ecosystem? I’ve been working as a photographer for 15 years and never found an opportunity like this when building my career and self: rare access to social entrepreneurship, innovative, native projects, amazing fellow travelers, solid mentorship on how to let your work out here, and now, guaranteed way to be published and publicized.

2 spots left for Guatemala, and Ethiopia trip now booking. Are you ready to take the leap and truly make a difference? Join us.

Cheers, Amanda

Buy the BOOK and help Vatsalya:

OMG, this is so exciting – our trip to the Ixil Triangle in Guatemala is just around the corner.  So far, we have an amazingly talented and diverse team of 4 citizen journalists that will be joining SG founder & internationally known photographer Amanda Koster this July!  For Jody, Great Phebe, Sam, and Mira – and anyone else interested in filling our final 2 spots – here is some prep advice as we get closer to our date of departure.

Guatemala: Getting Ready

FAST FACTS

Population 13.1 million

Area 108,890 sq km (smaller than the US state of Louisiana, a bit bigger than England)

Capital Guatemala City

Head of state President Álvaro Colom

Time: Local time is GMT -6.

Language: The official language is Spanish but English is understood in hotels and tourist destinations. Many indigenous languages are also spoken.

TRAVELING TO GUATEMALA

Visa:  North American citizens need only a valid passport

Vaccinations: You are responsible for vaccinations being up to date.
Please read this Guatemala destination page at the United States Centers for Disease Control

Money: Guatemala’s currency, the quetzal (ket-sahl, abbreviated to Q), is fairly stable at around Q7.5 = US$1. The quetzal is divided into 100 centavos.  Print off this handy USD-Quetzal conversion pocket guide

Getting Cash – You’ll find ATMs (cash machines, cajeros automáticos) for Visa/Plus System cards and MasterCard/Cirrus in all but the smallest towns.  Bring Amex US-dollar traveler’s checks (order online) or limited amounts of US cash as a backup.  Some towns suffer from change shortages: always try to carry a stash of small bills.

Tipping: Generally a 10% tip is recommended for good service by waiters, hotel staff and tour guides in Guatemala.

Local Customs: Guatemalans wave goodbye in a unique manner, which looks similar to someone fanning themselves. The hand is raised, palm facing the body and fingers are waved back and forth, together as if in a mitten. Ask permission before taking photographs of strangers, particularly of children.

Communications: The international access code for Guatemala is +502. There are generally surcharges on calls made from hotels and it is cheaper to use calling cards. Rates are generally less expensive after 7pm. Mobile phones work in the major towns and cities on a GSM network, but check that your network operator has a roaming agreement covering Guatemala. Internet cafes are available in the main tourist areas.

Electricity: Electrical current is 115-125 volts, 60Hz. A variety of plugs are used including the flat two-pin, flat three-pin & the UK-style three-pin.  If you have a laptop, camera or video camera that does not accept this current and plug style, you will need a voltage converter & adapter.  REI sells eagle creek’s kit

Preparations & Precautions:
I scan my passport, drivers license, and credit cards. Then, print it all out to carry in a different bag than the originals. I also advise emailing those scans to yourself in case everything is lost you can access those documents from almost anywhere with an internet cafe.

Tips on Safe Eating/Drinking:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially before eating.  If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand gel (with at least 60% alcohol).
• Drink only bottled or boiled water, or carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans or bottles.  Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes.
• Do not eat food purchased from street vendors.
• Make sure food is fully cooked.
• Avoid dairy products, unless you know they have been pasteurized.
• Only eat fruits when peeled and veggies when cooked

Traveler’s Stomach or “Icky PooPoos” as Mom Calls It:
Be prepared for travelers stomach; diarrhea and/or vomiting caused by bacteria in food. Antibiotics should generally only be taken in severe cases. Ciprofloxacin, also known as Cipro, and Norfloxacin are the two most common antibiotics for this. It is safe to discontinue taking these antibiotic as soon as symptoms cease unlike with other antibiotics. You may want to ask your doctor to prescribe antibiotics to take along just in case. I always pack Immodium anti-diarrhea pills and a laxative like Dulcolax. (traveling causes digestive upset in both directions sometimes!)

Weather:
Because of its consistently temperate climate, Guatemala has been called the “Land of Eternal Spring.” Expect temperatures in the 60s-70s with occasional rain during the day and clear skies at night.  Rainy season invites lots of bugs – so come prepared with light weight long-sleeved shirts and pants and plenty of insect repellant.

photo by Agros International

Join us in Guatemala this summer.
Our partner NGO is the amazing Agros International- putting land ownership into the hands of rural indigenous peoples. Check out their photo stream on Flickr.
Contact us for more info and sign-up now before the trip fills. Deadline this february!

Join Us in Guatemala Summer 2010, create a story that will help get land ownership into the hands of the rural subsistence farmers.

photo from Agros International

For more beauty from Agros International and the villages, like Batzchocola, they work to help throughout rural Guatemala.
www.agros.org/ag/our-villages/guatemala/batzchocola/

Join Us in Guatemala Summer 2010

Here are the stories we will be working on in Guatemala with Agros International.  Choose yours!