| Amazonian Identity Crisis. |
I know I never shut up about Africa these days, but turns out it requires more prep than I normally put into things. See, when I travel normally, I prepare by having a man named Andrew do my laundry, and then I stay up too late the night before my departure dicking around on the internet, and then I decide "Well, I am far too tired to pack NOW, I really need to sleep. What with my big trip tomorrow and all." Then I fall asleep and have a fitful night, tossing and turning while dreaming of plane crashes and secret microfilms being stashed in my bag so that I am detained in the airport FOR. EV. ER. Then I wake up in a sweaty panic, throw a bunch of crap in to a bag, and dash for the airport or work or whatever. Then I arrive at my destination and open my suitcase to find 12 pairs of underwear, 3 individual socks, and 4 pairs of high heels. Maybe a tank top sometimes. Then my friends say "Didn't you put any thought into this at ALL?" and I say "Um, yes! Totally! Someone must have rifled through my stuff in the airport! Gosh! How infuriating! I'm...I'm calling Dateline!" Then I borrow stuff or we go shopping and I am forgiven.
But that won't work as well in Tanzania. People will be like "Wow, you sure are a shitty packer. Have fun with malaria and your 78th degree sunburn." So I have to actually put some thought into this whole thing!
I have a suggested packing list, and some of the items are things that your average everyday girl doesn't have laying around her Queens apartment: mosquito netting, military-issue bug repellent CREAM (GROSS OH MY GROSS GROSS), water purification tablets, malaria pills (although I guess ANTI malarial drugs is more accurate), this soak that you put your clothes in and then no tse tse flies will get you, and a swahili phrase book, among others.
Now, you know how Amazon is like "Hey, Meg. We would like to recommend this thing for you, based on this other thing you seem to enjoy." And then you're like "You are RIGHT. I WOULD enjoy that. Thanks, Amazon!"?
Normally, that's how it goes for me.
But since I've started racking up all my africa crap, Amazon is really confused. It doesn't know what to make of me. It's like "Um. Oh, hi, Meg. Big changes you're making around here. No, no, it's cool. I just, you know. Wow! I was surprised, you know? Ha ha." And then it goes on to say "So, we'd like to recommend something we think you'd like. Here, try this collapsible shovel. It's good for digging holes that you can poop in. Neat, right? Totally up your alley?"
And I'm all "Amazon, no. I don't want to poop in that hole, and I don't want to carry that shovel. But I totally appreciate your suggestion." And then I politely check "Not interested."
But amazon doesn't always get it. Next, it will say to me "Here, here you go. You want mosquito netting? Try THIS PUPPY on for size."
"Gross, Amazon. I am not wearing that. Not interested."
"Okayokayokayokayokay. Here. HERE! You'll love this! Look! You can start fires with your keychain!"
"No! I don't want that! I have enough trouble with airport security as it is! NOT INTERESTED."
"Scary-ass knife set? Two person heat sheet? Machete set?"
"No! Stop it!"
"Taxidermy kit, for all the small game you're obviously going to kill, you creepy- basement-workshop-loving-militia-style-survivalist-hairy-legged-gun-totin'-freak????"
Then it escalates after that and one of us ends up in tears.
It's just upsetting to me to log in to my trusted Amazon and see what they think I have become. I remember fondly the days when I'd sign in, and Amazon would rush to greet me and attempt to entice me into buying beautiful lip glosses, exotic spices, and books about France. Oh, they'd have a misfire now and again (this comes to mind) but I'd just gently shake my head and smile, dismissing that little faux pas with a delicate click of my mouse. Then Amazon would bow apologetically and rush to show me this, or this, or this. And it would be as though that little indiscretion never even happened.
I know it's temporary, and I know I shouldn't care what Amazon thinks anyway, but I still find it somewhat disconcerting.
While we're on the topic of outdoorsy things, and situations in which you have to BYOTP, does anyone have recommendations for outdoorsy shoes or sandals that are comfy and durable but not so ugly they make me want to weep? Because that has been my main roadblock thus far.
Thanks so much in advance.
Love,
MegLabels: help my brain is weird |
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| 15 Comments: |
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sandals - http://zeta.zappos.com/brand/522/Chaco?
you will never have to buy sandals again, and they are comfy AND durable, and a few of them don't suck, style-wise. Tevas are good, too, but not as pretty.
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Get a pair of Keens. I love mine.
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Apparently Crocs are the way to go! www.crocs.com. I've never worn a pair but any person I know who does says it is a religious experience.
How long are you in Africa for? How exciting!!
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microfilms?
In your dreams are you selling secrets about a new invention called a "rock-et" to the commies?
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i second gazelle's idea. i LURVE my chacos.
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Meg, I really think you should reconsider that glorious hat-slash-mosquito-net. It would probably scare away any wild animals that come your way - it really could come in handy. You might also scare children, but that's the price we pay sometimes for security.
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I found these for you. Among their virtues: waterproof. And... waterproof!
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that knife has a precision compass built into its butt cap.
you need it.
also, please don't get gotten by tse tse flies. i will pray for you. that's really effective.
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I don't understand.
No machete?
Why?
Why wouldn't you want one of those?
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my bro spent years in Africa and his advice is no sandles, no matter how ot it is. you don't even want to KNOW the stuff you'll see on the ground. And then there's bugs. ick.
I love squall boots from Lands End (and they are on sale right now).
they are comfy and lightweight and great for walking or hiking in any weather and come in cool colors, bugs cant crawl in, nasty stuff cant touch your ankles. pair with lightweight absorbent wool socks and they will be perfect even if its hot.
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Just stumbled in...I lived in TZ for six months and loved every second I spent in my Chacos. Keens would work too. If you have something like crocs that don't have a back strap they can get stuck in the mud during rainy season. Most of all get something that fits well - likely you'll be walking miles in them.
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PS - I didn't get the rabies shot either. Nor was I infested with tsetse flies. But i DID get these: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chigoe_flea
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I sure wish you were my girl.
I wish you rotsa ruck in Rafrica. I'll miss you.
~ Longtime fan named Doug
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Meg, I'm such a bad blog-reading friend! If I knew you were in need of gear advice, I would have been ALL OVER IT. Seriously, who else do you know that owns a solar-charged UV-light-emitting water purifier? That's right, I have all the hyphens. If you get malaria, it will be all my fault for not stepping in! :-(
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I'm a Keen fan - but are you sure you can wear sandals over there? Maybe lightweight shoes...hrm.
Btw, there is an *amazing* community here http://www.bootsnall.com/
I read their forums of places I'm going before I go to just get all the dirt at it were...lots of great information from smart young travelers all over the world.
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Name: A Lover and a Fighter
Home: New York, NY
About Me: "It is a very sad thing that nowadays there is so little useless information."
-Oscar Wilde
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sandals - http://zeta.zappos.com/brand/522/Chaco?
you will never have to buy sandals again, and they are comfy AND durable, and a few of them don't suck, style-wise. Tevas are good, too, but not as pretty.