packing list

"Before we go hog wild here, there's just about nothing you need that you can't get in Bissau. The cost isn't much more than you would pay in the U.S. Just bring the things that will make you comfortable on a very long trip and remember it's hot. Here is a fairly complete list from years of travel to Bissau. A lot of people go to Bissau with less than half of the stuff here, and do just fine. So don't be stressed about having the perfect stuff. There is one cool thing you can get... Walmart has a battery powered fan/light for about $10.00 that can operate solidly for about 2 weeks on one set of 6 batteries. When there's no power, that little fan is pretty nice!" Mike

Clothes

Clothes for two or more weeks planning for very few meetings.

• 3 Patterned short sleeved shirts.
• 2 Ties - in the event you are sharing in a church (Clip too)
• 2 Khakis Pants
• 3 Shorts (Khaki or cotton shorts)
• 2 Slacks (Black, tan, camel; White needs cleaned after each wearing)
• 4 Colored tee shirts
• 1 White undershirt if limited speaking. More if many meetings.
• Normal quantity undergarments
• 1 Utility or casual belt
• 1 Dress belt
• 4 Pair of dress socks--dark are better
• 2 Pair utility socks--white
• 1 Flip flops (for around the house)
• 1 Thongs, Sandals, Hrachis, or Light shoes--for town
• 1 Pair dress shoes
  
  
• Sewing kit
• Clothes line
• Shoe polish

Optional: If meeting with a high ranking official, it is proper to have a light sports coat and a tie and white shirt. A woman should wear professional skirt outfit when meeting with a high ranking official. If you have many meetings a man would want to bring double slacks, ties, undershirts, and maybe alternative shoes and belt.

General Travel Supplies

• Flashlight with extra Batteries (leave batteries)
• Lighter
• Sunglasses - one or two pair.
• Inflatable neck rest - optional
• Spray Repellant (1, more if in bush or in during rain season *June to October)Cologne
• Facial Insect Repellant
• Water sterilizing tablets (you only need these in emergency situations if going in bush)
• Sunblock
• Hair Spray
• Acid Blocker or Tums- if you need it, just to be comfortable.
• Cipro - You get this prescription from the travel clinic.
• Immodium - Generally not, unless only for your travel home. You don't want to take anything that prohibits your body's ability to evacuate bacteria or other yuk.
• Anti-Malarial - IF YOU DON'T BRING THEM YOU'LL BE SENT TO GET SOME OR YOU WILL BE SENT HOME - NOT NEGOTIABLE - WE CARE ABOUT YOUR HEALTH.
• Full Lint roller

Guinea-Bissau power (when functioning) is the same as standard European 240 volt (double prong) adapter. Most hair driers (which you don't need) and computers are capable of handling both 110 and 240. Be sure to check your device for information.

Food Items (Optional)

• Nutrition / Candy bars
• Peanuts
• Cheese and breadsticks
• Jerky
• Cocoa, Crystal Lite (This is a GOOD IDEA it's really nice to have some flavor in the water every now and again.

People always want to know about what the food is like. Guinean food is delicious, even the most conservative meal tastes great when cooked by Guineans. Most of the time it will include fresh fruit, rice, some sort of sauce with meat or veggies. You WON'T lose weight if you're being hosted in Guinea-Bissau. Breakfast will usually be bread and fruit. Snacks are nice when you're missing home or are hungry late at night when food isn't available.

Toiletry Items

This is fairly thorough.

• Brush and comb
• Tooth Brush
• Toothpaste
• Anti Perspirant/Deoderant SCENTED!
• Shaving Cream
• Styptic Pencil - if you shave
• 1 Pack Disposable Razors
• Nail Clipers
• QTips--If you use them, you'll use a lot because of the humidity.
• Ear plugs - very nice when the music or dogs are going at it until 3:00am.

Don't forget: Hygene items for women, antifungal, or ointments for personal needs. If you need to use antifungal, you'll use more in the humid climate.

On bug repellent: Be sure to get high deet percentage, as high as possible. Liquid bug repellent will melt plastic (especially things like camera gear) if it gets out of it's container. During packing make sure it's in a zip lock bag.

First Aid

For your own comfort you may wish to bring a small first aid pack. These are things you can include per your own judgement.

• Bug bite stick (antihistamine and amonia)
• Cortizone
• Neosporin
• Bandaids
• Aspirin
• Tylenol or Ibuprofin
• Tweezers
• Iodine/ Betadine
• Scizzors
• Razorblade
• Steril Syringe and Needles (4)
• Multiple Vitamins
• Non-drowsy antihistamine

Soap stuff

• 2 Sponges--to leave
• Anti Bacterial Bar soap--1 bar
• Shampoo w/ conditioner
• Woolite--for delicates.