My tentative plan

[ann_totusek]

So, assuming I can pull off the day care for Mom while I'm gone, and get all my paperwork in order on Monday, I'm going to put up a donation button. Erik, my hero, (swoon) has already volunteered miles to cover my ticket, but there will still be other expenses- Mom's day care, food while on the way (it's a two day process to get there because of

Comments

[von_krag]

PolyPro inner socks then light weight wool, change twice a day if you can. I've used these shirts and pants for 30 plus years, they work. http://tinyurl.com/yamnxlw Boots I'd look at as light as I can find gore-tex all leather uppers plus a comfy running/walking w/gore-tex & bring extra laces too. Bras & panties I'd look at polypro & silk, moisture gets trapped in cotton. Bring DEET bug dope, Tilly hat, shorts & tees to lounge in. If you think your going to be out in the rain look at gore-tex rain wear, get that in a bright color.

[marrael]

I greatly admire that you're doing this. Will be hoping for the best for you as far as the fundraising and the trip goes.

The weather there sounds a lot like Singapore's (tropical, with rainy seasons) except our average maximum temperature is actually a bit higher (think perpetual sauna). Ponytails/twists/buns are the most practical thing to do to hair next to short-cropping all of it. For clothing, anything that's light, loose, as thin as possible, and that dries fast works best--I'm guessing you're probably not going to be in the rain all the time. (This goes for shoes too, unless the job requires boots--anything meant to keep out/in moisture tends to get uncomfy and hot quickly.) Cotton and silk are great IMO (linen gets scratchy, and my husband swears by bamboo fibers); avoid synthetic fabrics--they can't breathe and trap heat. When in doubt, keep an extra pair of flip-flops and a T-shirt on you.

[3fgburner]

Re: Thermometers, I'd go with one of the $30 Exergen temporals at WalMart. For backup, Geratherm mercury-free glass -- no batteries, and easier to sanitize than digital. Incidentally, don't worry about red or green color. They're physically identical, just remember which one you stuck where.

[johnridley]

I bet there are resources at travel places for what to expect in the Caribbean at any time. 'Course, the touristy stuff may assume you're going to be in an air conditioned room at night and thus may not be entirely trustworthy.

Also, I asked at church and will be forwarding you the email of a guy associated with the UM church who started his own mission in Haiti and goes there 4 times a year for a couple of weeks at a time (the rest of the time he's fundraising). He should be able to answer any question and may be a good contact to keep in your phone in case you run into trouble.

[avt_tor]

I have not been to Haiti, but my friend bcholmes was there earlier this year and has been there on other occasions; I'm sure she'd be happy to offer advice.