Travel Reminders

Checklist for Packing
Tips to Shoot Like a Pro
Swahili Words
 

Bits of interest to keep in mind:

     Always ask for permission before you photograph people or their houses.  Some Kenyans might demand a tip after taking a photograph.
     Always change your cash at a reputed bank, foreign bureaux, or hotel.  Never change your money in the black market.
     Don't expose your cash or jewelry in public or hand over money to someone in public, especially along the city streets.
     Don't carry more money than you need when going out.  Carry a money belt or fanny pack under your clothes to keep your money.
     Be alert for possible pickpockets and purse snatchers in crowded areas.
     Keep copies of all your important documents separately from the originals in case of loss.
     While staying at a hotel, keep your money in the safe deposit box either in your room or at the desk.  Don't leave valuables in the room.
     Keep your distance from wild animals, however harmless they may appear.
     You might consider emergency medical insurance prior to entering Kenya.
     Tipping is allowed but not mandatory.
     Cars are driven on the left side of the street.  Look right before stepping off the curb.
     An airport departure tax of US$20 is (sometimes) levied when leaving the country.
     Kenya is 3 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.
     Always settle on a fare before hiring a taxi to avoid exploitation.
     Don't ask directions from a stranger on the street.  Step into a shop to ask for help.
     The Kenyan government discourages handing out money to beggars, both children and adults.
     Avoid at all costs young people sniffing from plastic bottles.  They are sniffing glue and they are dangerous.
      

Safari Info

Checklist for packing

 1. zip-lock plastic bags, Altoid tins for storage
 2. snacks, water bottle, beef jerky, hard candy (avoid soft candy and chocolate)
 3. flashlight, alarm clock
 4. toilet paper, toilet seat covers
 5. adapter/converter, iPod/headphones/accessories, binoculars
 6. camera, film, batteries, lead bag; attach blank labels to your film canisters and note the date and location
 7. rain jacket
 8. passport and copy of first page, visa, extra photos, business cards, e-mail addresses
 9. credit cards, ATM cards, travelers' checks, airline tickets, FF numbers, document folder, itineraries
10. earplugs, sunglasses, glasses, inflatable neck pillow, pillow case, socks, sweater
11. travel info, guide books, maps, calculator, book, puzzles books, knitting supplies
12. join Northwest Airline World Perks www.nwa.com/worldperks/
13. laundry detergent, hooks, wrinkle-free spray, laundry bag
14. safety/diaper pins, sewing kits, duct tape, bubble wrap, waxed dental floss, bungee cord, locks and keys
15. band-aids, cold med, cough drops, sunscreen, cosmetics, prescription meds
16. get a free Yahoo, AOL, or Hotmail account; e-mail your trip information (hotel confirmation numbers, itinerary, contacts, important addresses) to your e-mail address so if your paper documents get lost, you can still get the information at an Internet cafe
17. carry-on luggage cannot exceed 45 linear inches (w+d+h) and 26 lbs
18. carry-on liquids must be 3 oz. or less; all liquids must fit into one plastic baggie (these restrictions may change at any time)
 

Tips to Shoot Like a Pro

1. Tighten up.  Don't leave too much space above the head.  Frame the subject, not the view.
2. Skip the zoom.  Instead, move closer to your subject.
3. Use high angles.  Always have subjects pose chin up.  It makes them look better.  And try not to shoot from a low angle because it gives them the dreaded double chin.
4. Don't overuse the "delete" button.  Resist the urge to delete for space just because a shot isn't perfect.  Many great shots are happy mistakes.
5. Mind the light.  Shadows and highlights can affect the mood of the subject or location.  Pay attention to light at different times of day.
6. Use the flash.  Perfect light - overcast, end of the day - is rare, so use the flash indoors, outdoors and whenever you're within 10 feet of your subject.
7. But don't be afraid of natural light.  It can be the most flattering.
8. Take at least two shots.  Always try the shot a few different ways - with the flash on and with it off.
9. Be encouraging.  Say things like, "Wow!", "Beautiful," "Great," "Amazing!"  The louder, the better.
10. Keep shooting.  Continue to snap pictures after the posing stops.  This is when the magic often happens.
11. Buy an additional gigabyte card.  Buying an additional 1 gigabyte card that holds 80 large-size files ensures that you won't run out of space before the end of the party.
12. Travel with a mini-tripod.  They let you set up the camera so that you can be in the shot or capture long exposures.
 

Swahili Words and Phrases
(for pronunciation, click here)

One source of many for travel insurance is www.medexprotects.com/index.html.
For information about diseases you might encounter in Kenya, go to www.cdc.gov
For information about getting a passport, click this link www.travel.state.gov/