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Hello good people:
My son is going next week to different countries in South America for a year. He is going to work as a volunteer in different medical clinics in some rural areas and some cities( he is a medical student), and travel a little. He may be taking just one big suite case or one big backpack , (WHAT IS BETTER?), he will be staying some times with families some times in hotels
Any suggestion as for what is a MUST to take there as he keeps saying that he does not want to carry much and he will buy there if he needs . He is taking malaria pills, anti biotics and he took yellow fever shot.
I am really worried that he may not be well prepared.
Any advice please write
Thank you all
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what to carry going to different countries and vaccinations
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Congratulations to your son.
I would bring a digital camera and lots and lots of memory, plus a battery charger.
Also a hidden money pouch.
He needs some clothes for various climates if he is traveling for a year. Summer clothes are easy enough to buy anywhere but good quality winter things will cost more. He should bring a really good quality fleece jacket and a light waterproof, windproof jacket to wear over it, good sturdy shoes or boots.
Anything else he should be able to buy in the countries you mention.
It doesn't really matter if he brings a suitcase or backpack. He should bring whichever he prefers. Young people usually prefer backpacks.
As your son is a medical student he should be well aware of the need to get all the necessay vacinations necessary for the countries he is visiting and check this out wth a specialist travel doc.
I assume he has arrqanged comprehensive travel/medical insurance?
As he is away for a year and will be in rural locations it may be worth considering rabies vaccinations. We were advised to get these when we did some volunteer work in west africa. Doesn't prevent the rabies but gives more time to get to hospital to get the anti-serum. That said, the chances are probably small.
A back pack is the way to go but tell him not to overpack with clothes you really don't need that many.
Make sure that the backpack is lockable and that he has a lock and cable so he can secure it in his accomodation.
Your son has got the right idea about not taking too much stuff. Anything can be bought on the road and usually a lot cheaper than at home.
A good pair of walking boots and trekking type sandal were all I needed on our recent year long trip. Boots and shoes are teh single heaviest and bulkiest items in the packing list.
A small medical kit is useful with a few band aids, liquid antidseptic, anti-histamine cream for mozzie bites pain relief pills, anti-diarrhea med such as loperamide.
A money belt is essential as is a variety of money i.e. local currency, US dollars. I would also suggest taking debit AND credit cards and maybe one of the pre loaded travel money cards. There are ATMs all over SA and Travellers checks can be difficult to encash these days. If possible take cards for 2 separate bank accounts.
He should take several photocopies of his passport with him and leave one with you (just in case!). I would also suggest he email a scanned copy to himself.
Get him to set up a Skype account www.skype.com so he can phone home at minimal or no cost.
Crellston for head local expert!!!
If he is a medical student have him review
www.mdtravelhealth.com for health info
Buy read digest an LP SA shoestring guide
Be sure Visa is in order for Bolivia
otherwise per Crellston