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My last few posts on traveling to Ethiopia have covered just about everything. I do want to fill in some blanks and make some more recommendations. As a nurse who loves prevention I cannot help but try and think of the worse case scenarios!
Ethiopia is an amazing country with a rich history and beautiful people who share great food and customs. I encourage you to embrace this country for all it offers. I also want you to remember that it is a developing country and you should take care to follow precautions. My husband and I lived in Peru for over a year. In that time we saw several visitors make some basic mistakes that put them in danger.
* If possible, never travel alone and try to travel with a national who knows the area.
* Do not go to congested areas that are high in crime (open air markets). You may save some money, but you could lose some as well.
* Count your money before you go out and know how much is in what pocket. Counting a foreign currency can take a while and we don’t need to flash all our money about. I always have a pocket for beggars or small purchases and a pocket with larger amounts when I’m shopping.
* As I mentioned before, have a copy of your passport stored with another person or in another location. Also have a copy with your contact person at home. This contact person should have a copy of your itinerary, passports, plane tickets, credit card numbers, banking information, insurance information, and your will. I recommend this contact person be reliable and handles stress well. While most of us do not have disaster strike while traveling, it is good to be safe.
* Make sure you are comfortable carrying around all the cash that will be needed for the trip. You may want to try on your hidden belt to see how it fits you and what makes you comfortable. Talk with your agency or guesthouse and ask if they have a safe for you to store valuables in.
* As I have recommended before, limit your technology so you have less to worry about. Always be alert and aware of your surroundings. It is just not safe to walk down the streets in Addis listening to your i pod.
* To keep healthy, wash your hands frequently and try not to touch your face, eyes, ears or mouth. You may want to carry hand sanitizer and a bottle of water from a source that you trust. Watch what you eat and ask your agency for a list of restaurants that expatriates can eat at. Remember no ice!
I think that is all of my motherly, nurse-y and naggy advice for now! My hubby really puts up with a lot doesn’t he!
