Travels with Adolophine | Packing Tips
I love traveling! I look forward to the trip and all that comes with it except for packing. Actually I hate packing and having to run to the airport. In order to make my trip run more smoothly I’ve come up with strategies to make things less painful for me.
I have started making a packing list, an online mood board and Pinterest page. I usually start the packing process two weeks before a long trip. If it’s just a long weekend trip than I will pack four days beforehand. I start by taking everything out that I think I want to bring, wear or might want to wear. I hang it on a clothing rack and walk away from the rack for two days. Afterwards I make sure I have medication I need to bring with me on the trip - malaria, diarrhea, anti-nausea, Vicks’s vapor rub (it makes everything better), Tylenol, Neosporin and bandages etc. I also make a mini first aid kit to keep in my bag and an even smaller one for my clutch.
Just like clothing, I will pull all the jewelry that I want to bring on the trip and put them on trays and jewelry stands. I always go overboard when it comes to jewelry. I usually don’t pair down the accessories until I’ve picked the clothes. Jewelry is the difference maker. I can wear the same black slip dress twice but make it look so different with accessories.
Ten days before the trip I will pack my personal bag and carryon minus my laptop. I will pack Clorox wipes, chapstick, socks, travel adapters, eye masks, ear plugs, travel toothbrush and toothpaste and other essentials. During these new times I will start including masks, hand sanitizers (if I can find any), gloves and thick napkins. This is also the time I check that all my visas are current and that I have enough time left on my passport to return without an issue. I have travel with many people who didn’t check and couldn’t make the trip, had to pay insane fees to get the extra express passport service or skip half the trip. It’s always better to double check.
The following day I will take out all the shoes that I want to bring. I usually pack a pair of sneakers, black heels, comfortable sandals and closed toe shoe. If I’m traveling to a cold weather place I also put aside ankle boots and thigh high boots I also set aside tights, socks and ski socks. I will also set an emergency outfit in my Dakar Weekend Bag as well. After walking around a lot my feet get ashy so at night I will put either coconut oil or vaseline on them, put the thick socks on and go to bed. The next morning my feet looks so much better.
Now here comes the hard part - pairing down. I usually keep all my clothes and shoes to one luggage and my carry on suitcase. The second suitcase usually has things that I’m gifting to others. Last trip to Kinshasa I packed two suitcases worth of items to gift. It’s so important to have a portable scale. It makes packing when you are home and away so much easier. You also avoid the hassle of having to take your items out of one suitcase and transferring to the other (while everyone in line gives you death stares) or paying the oversize luggage fees. I have several scales from TK that I bought from Amazon.
Pairing down process usually involves me trying on the clothes and making sure it fits and works with the shoes I want to bring. You’ll be surprised what doesn’t fit during certain times on the year, zipper doesn’t work, a bunch of buttons are missing or a hole has magically appeared. Same things with shoes - certain are so tight and uncomfortable or some of your favorites need to go to the shoe repair asap.
Here’s a sample of what I would pack for a 10 day trip to an African city:
2 pajamas (hotels have washing service)
Undergarments for 20 days (its HOT and you might have to shower twice a day)
2 pairs of bathing suits (one full and one bikini)
2 Western style suits with two blouse and a corset if I need a quick change for an evening event)
2 African print Skirt Suit (they work for any and every occasion)
2 Long Scarves - Used for head covering, cool nights and emergency head wrap
Wolford Leggings (look great with a blazer, t-shirt, jean shirt or a safari like shirt)
Jean Shorts (a staple piece)
2 Long Sleeve African print covered dress (for charity visits or religious occasions)
3 sleeveless dresses (it’s hot! I also have a scarf in my bag always if I need to be covered)
3 western style Maxi dresses
2 Blazers and/or light jacket (can wear with leggings, shorts or jeans)
1 pair of blue jeans (soft and comfortable pair)
1 cashmere cardigan
15 different tops (t-shirts, long sleeves, tank tops, white dress shirt)
6 Pairs of Shoes (I will wear sneakers on the plane, pack black heels in my carryon and the other two pair of heels and sandals will go in my check bags.
Toiletries (I also pack extra ziplock bags)
Camera, laptop, iPad and all the necessary chargers
Shopping Tote Bags (most African countries have banned plastic bags)
Travel phone (super easy to get a local SIM card. If you have T-mobile you can get the international plan)
Laminated Health Card ( I took an index card and wrote down important health information. I translated in French, Spanish, Portugese and Swahili).
No matter where I travel I always pack a clothing steamer. You can’t always depend on the iron in the hotel. The hotels in Africa offer ironing service but sometimes I don’t know what I want to wear till the last minute or my outfit needs a quick refresh. I also bring an emergency pack that consist of Tide erasers, shout wipes, needle and thread, buttons, small scissors, small stapler, clothing pins in various sizes. Clothing cubes are a life saver. It really allows me to pack in an organized manner. I’m terrible at folding and all the skills that are required to be a master packer. Senami is great at folding. We all have a strong points. If my cousin Mukendi is traveling with me to Africa (which is 90% of the time) I will have him bring a suitcase for me and I’ll pack a Lome duffel bag. He packs light so I use his luggage allowance. Thanks Cuz!!
I just re-read my list and I feel like I might overpack and I’m okay with that. I rather have what I need than to be scramble. I hope our packing tips was helpful and will give you another nudge to visit Africa. I can’t wait to travel safely again.
Adolophine