PREPPING FOR HAITI: HOW TO COVER YOUR BASES

Hey, guys! Good news! I'm flying out to Haiti tomorrow to film for a humanitarian organization called Good Neighbors. You might remember when I worked with them last summer in Guatemala. Well, here we go again but this time it's a whole new story and place. I'm so excited to share those adventures with you in the days to come! Until then, I thought I'd give you a peak into my hygiene bag when I travel light and am going somewhere with buggies! These are a few of my essentials.

First things first: vaccinated. Haiti has a lot of mosquitoes and malaria is rampant, so I went ahead and got a prescription for malaria pills and brought along some Cipro in case I get diarrhea or any other travel bugs that need some bacteria killing. I'm to date on typhoid and tetanus, so that's always a time saver. 

Second: bug protected. I have a few kinds of strong mosquito repellent I like to use when going to jungly or mosquito-ridden areas. OFF! Repel Sportsmen Max repellent lotion (lasts way longer than spray!), Jungle Juice (strong stuff!) and Insect Repellent Clothing and Gear spray. All of these products have plenty of Deet and can be purchased at your local REI. The Insect Repellent Clothing and Gear spray is amazing! You spray it on 4 outfits (which includes top, bottom and socks) and it lasts for up to 42 days or 6 washings. It works wonders to repel mosquitoes, triggers, ticks, and all kinds of pests and lasts a long time. The great thing about it is it's odorless and doesn't ruin your clothes. It's also awesome for backpacking trips or extended hikes/camping excursions. It's just so great for anything outdoors, and nothing beats not waving bugs off your entire body all day.

Third: hydrated & energized. If you're going somewhere hot and humid, grab some Mio Fit to hydrate while also adding flavor and electrolytes to your water bottles during the day. It's a great energy boost that I know I'll need when I start getting really floppy and hot in the heat. I also always pack protein bars in my day bags for those long stretches between meals where I know I'll be out and about and can't exactly stop to eat. 

Fourth: basic hygiene. Bring along all your essentials but keep it small! Packing light will make running around busy airports and wearing your gear on your back a whole lot easier. That's a wrap for your hygiene essentials! Keep it simple, keep it minimal - you'll be glad you did!