Tanzania Packing List (A.k.a. Why I'm Leaving You for 2 and 1/2 Weeks)

Where I'm off to. (It's East Africa)

Yes, you've read the title correctly, I'm leaving you for 2 1/2 weeks *ducks rotten vegetables*. But, I have a valid reason! I promise!

As a Zoology student, to complete your major you are required to participate in at least one field course, and I won the lottery and got my first choice of Tropical Ecology in African Ecosystems (elephants, and hyena and lions, oh my!). I mean who wouldn't want to go on a safari and camp in the Serengeti with all the wild animals? (Actually don't answer that question, I'm fairly sure most of you don't, especially due to the possible lack of running water). However, I thought I'd at least make an interesting packing post about my trip so you don't feel to much separation anxiety (who am I kidding? This is totally for my separation anxiety from you!)

My make-shift pillow. Because I don't have room to carry a full pillow I'm taking my travel pillow, and stuffing a t-shirt into it. Then I can have my travel pillow for the very long plane rides and still have something to sleep on at night. (And for anyone wondering, these totally work! I've been saved so many neck kinks because of this!).

Summer weight sleeping bag, yeah we're in tents, not sure if its a good thing or not at this point.

Self inflating, light weight mattress pad to sleep on, these are totally worth it. They cut down cold seeping up from the ground and make it so you can't feel pointy rocks digging as badly into your spine. :D.

Mosquito net treated with permethrin. Since insects, Mosquitoes especially carry malaria and other diseases it's important to have a net, even better to have one that repels them too.

Ear plugs so I can sleep even with Hyenas talking to each other at night (or more likely my fellow students, but I digress...); a soft sleep mask to block out light on the plane; a silk liner for my sleeping bag for extra warmth if I need it, and a eco-friendly dish wash, clothes wash, body wash, shampoo (all in one bitty bottle). The neat thing about it, other than all it's uses, is that it biodegrades really quick so it won't harm local wildlife.

Two, all natural 5 hour energy drinks (without the crazy, dangerous caffeine amount some drinks like Red Bull have); Spray waterproof sun screen (I'm gonna need it, we're hiking at least one 3-4 hour hike- bleh); a Nivea SPF 30 lip balm, and a Blister Block stick for my feet. I've read many great reviews for this, it's supposed to add a slip (without being greasy) to you skin so the friction that creates blisters doesn't happen. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find out about their animal testing status, so please take note.

A whole bunch of double A batteries for my camera (because I've got no electricity for which to charge my rechargable ones); a mini binoculars with case and lens cloth; dust bags for my camera and lens, and a giant bag to put my backpack in so straps and sleeping bags, etc. don't get ripped off and lost at the airports.

My first-aid kit which includes bandages, sanitation wipes, polysporin (not pictured here), hand sanitizer (also not here), individual neosporin packages, and blister bandages. Also pictured are a package of 30 kirkland face wipes, to help remove sunscreen and sweat at the end of the day before my normal face routine. (Note: I bought the SPF 30 Blistex stick before I realized they tested on animals, sorry!)

Deep woods bug spray (I have a feeling, I'm going to be grateful I've got this!); Neutrogena SPF 100 Dry touch sunscreen with silica (to help reduce oily feeling) (Also, the SPF 100 claim is false, no sunscreen can currently go above 50, it's not chemically possible, but I figured what the heck, and I heard this formulation was the nicest feeling). I've also got After-Bite, in nifty pen form, and Batiste Blush Dry Shampoo in a spray can (because even if all of us are going to be without running water, I want to at least look semi-good, gosh darn it!)

My not so interesting (and therefore, not attention worthy for thieves) camera bag with my camera and telephoto lens inside. I'm hopeful for some awesome wildlife pictures! Shown again are the dust bags for the camera and lens themselves.

My wrist braces, because I've got carpal tunnel from being on here too much. Presented on a themed rug :D.

My Clarisonic Mia with charger (I'm hoping that when we're at the hotel the first couple days will allow the charge to last a good amount of time when we're without electricity! Maybe that's just wishful thinking...), Also my Murad face cleanser and my acne treatment gel for daytime (also by Murad).

My green Tilley hat, a light-weight hat that floats, washes and dries overnight, and protects from the sun with an SPF factor :D. On it are my well loved sunglasses with the kinda dorky glasses string so they don't get lost; another facial sunscreen, Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in Porcelain (Oil-free, with SPF 20, so far I love this- review after I get back!), because I really hate my crappy skin so I want some coverage; and finally Melatonin, a natural sleep aid that I'm going to be using to try and overcome jet lag (recommended by the pharmacist).

My miniature backpack for day trips, to hold water bottle, money, my field notebook, sunscreen and first aid kit.

A blank notebook, so when I'm bored I can try and write up a couple make-up reviews, some novels, a magazine for the plane and some granola bars (to supplement my diet, because I don't eat red meat and they told me they might have trouble accommodating that, so snack food).

And to shove it all in my comically large backpack (which literally dwarfs me!) Not included in the pictures because I've been running around like a loony for the last couple days are: hairbrush, mini toothpaste and travel tooth brush, all the medication needed for travel (i.e. malaria pills) and enough over the counter medication to supply a small pharmacy (I like to be prepared....), travel clothes (light weight and breathable), and I'm sure enough other things to completely freak me out because I can't for the life of me remember anything at the moment. (Ohh, aftersun!)

Anyways, I hope this was at least relatively interesting! If it isn't, I apologize, and hope to provide you with our regular programming when I return. But, while you wait....

So, what can you do while I'm gone?

• check out past posts
• Explore some of my fellow bloggers blogs in the links at the bottom of the page
• Leave comments for me when I get back (maybe with ideas on what you'd like to see more of on Hebridean Sprite Beauty)
• Become a follower (delighting me when I return!)
• Run off and write a story about Mony Python bunnies in Africa

So, until I return, much love (and wish me luck!)~ Krista (Hebridean Sprite) *hugs for all*