Seeing as I have just completed two months of life in Africa, I wanted to create a list of my top 5 favorite things I’ve brought on the World Race (Africa edition).
- Chacos: These rugged beauties provide ample foot support, allowing you to trek over any terrain with ease. Rain, mud, rocks, mountains, gravel roads, sidewalks—nothing can slow you down with these bad boys! They will get extremely dirty but can clean up well with a little elbow grease. LIFE TIP: do NOT get the toe strap, your big toe can handle it and you’ll never need that much stability! Almost everyone on my team that got the toe strap has been stepping on it because it they take too long to strap on. If Jesus wore sandals, they’d definitely be toe-strapless Chacos, just saying….
- Lifestraw water bottle: When you’re unsure if the tap water really is safe to drink, you can be sure by using your Lifestraw! It removes all pathogens and bacteria that the locals may be used to. And if you buy bottled water to put in your water bottle, you can always remove the straw and still use the bottle. Win, win!
- Young Living Essential oils: On the race, I brought lavender, peppermint vitality, lemon vitality, thieves, PanAway, and purification. I’ve used the lavender both for relaxation and on pimples. In Mozambique, I used the peppermint oil religiously to soothe a terrible sunburn. The lemon oil helped my teammate on a long public bus ride when she was having breathing issues from a medication she was taking. The thieves oil has been useful on travel days to support my immune system and avoid getting sick. I’ve used the PanAway to cure my swollen ankles from traveling. Purification has been very useful in repelling bugs and healing bug bites. I also was able to pick up some Tea Tree oil in South Africa and I’m excited to use it for a plethora of things! Young Living is an amazing brand because not only are they organic and natural but also ingestible and delicate on my super sensitive skin. Essential oils for the win!
- Notebook: Bringing a pretty notebook from home has motivated me to journal, and I don’t even like writing! Before I left for the race, I asked my friends and family to write encouraging notes in my journal for when I was homesick and it was one of the best things I did! There’s something comforting about seeing your loved one’s handwriting when you’re away. It’s like taking a piece of them with you everywhere you go. HIGHLY recommended. It’s also nice to journal a few times a week throughout the race to look back on as memorabilia when the 11 months are over! The best mementos from my travels aren’t materialistic things but the memories I’ve gathered along the way.
- Anti-itch cream: Africa = mosquitoes. No matter how diligent you are about applying bug spray, you WILL get bitten by mosquitoes, A LOT. I have literally slept with my tube of anti-itch cream by my pillow every night of the race so far. Mosquitoes are no joke! This stuff is hard to find too, so use sparingly and stock up when you can.
HONORABLE MENTION: My hammock! I have been lucky to use this in every country so far. When living in community, it can be very hard to find personal space and time alone. My hammock is the perfect spot to do just that! I can slide into my personal cocoon with my bible and find some peace of mind. I got a double which is good for a built in blanket or for sharing, but a single hammock would be just fine!
