Trip to Ethiopia

S

steelscout30

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Aug 1, 2006
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This summer, I am considering taking studying abroad with one of my professors. This will be my first excursion out of the United States and international survival is something that I'm relatively unfamiliar with.

My outdoor and survival skills are limited to the areas in which I've lived, which include the western part of the United States (Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado), Florida (the Everglades), and the Midwest (Ohio and Indiana). I am unfamiliar with the exact type of skills required foreign third-world urban environments and in the rural climate of Ethiopia.

The trip will be limited to the capital city of Addas Ababa and the northern section of the country.

I am looking for tips and additional elements to include in my survival kit that I wouldn't carry in the United States. I will be taking along a PSK as well as a small Maxpedition bag that will serve as a BOB in my luggage.

Importantly, my professor grew up in Ethiopia as a son of a prominent missionary. His family were personal friends with Haile Selassie, who was considered one of the better leaders of the modernization of the African continent until his untimely death in 1974 at the hands of a communist coup implemented by the Soviet Union. He has significant experience in local langauge, customs, and traditions, and the acceptability of things like openly displayed knives and firearms. I believe that he would make an excellent companion in stark contrast to some of the fat, old liberals that might typically be found in the humanities department of a modern college.

Regardless, I figured that the ESEE subforum would be a great place to start in my search for information related to my survival if the SHTF. Ethiopia has been relatively politically stable since its most recent constitution in 1991, but that stability is not something I'd bet money on.

Thanks for the help.

God bless.

KATN,

Wade
 
Read Jeff and Mike's book, Adventure Travel in the 3rd World

Read Pelton's World Most Dangerous Places

That will get you started.

I wouldn't worry too much about starting fires with sticks and stuff like that.

Get as much FIRST-HAND, AREA SPECIFIC information prior to going.

Travel as light as possible.

Have fun!
 
Wade,

It might be worth taking time to view, if I am correct, Survivorman season 2 episode 7 (I was watching it on netflix the other day.) He stops to talk about the making of including all the prep work which goes into doing what he does. And what Expatriated said is one of the main things he pointed out during that time.

God bless,
Adam
 
like Expatriated said first aid equipment, add to that a broad spectrum antibiotic and imodium or peto bismal. water purification tablets or a filter would be good too. avoid the rind or skins of fruits as well they use differnt bug killers and fertilizers than we do, you just dont want to know what that will do to your digestive tract. i ate a bunch of apples in china without peeling them, can you loose 20lbs in 6 days? that was not fun.

primarily just be careful of what you eat and drink. that can be much worse trouble than any sudden issues with the politcal climate. if all else fails run to the us embassy.

i forgot to add have some emergency cash and your passport handy, if the shtf dont screw around trying to be rambo or super survivor get the hell out. best survival strategy is to know when to move on down the road.

have fun
cricket
 
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cricketdave said:
like Expatriated said first aid equipment, add to that a broad spectrum antibiotic and imodium or peto bismal. water purification tablets or a filter would be good too. avoid the rind or skins of fruits as well they use differnt bug killers and fertilizers than we do, you just dont want to know what that will do to your digestive tract. i ate a bunch of apples in china without peeling them, can you loose 20lbs in 6 days? that was not fun.

primarily just be careful of what you eat and drink. that can be much worse trouble than any sudden issues with the politcal climate. if all else fails run to the us embassy.

i forgot to add have some emergency cash and your passport handy, if the shtf dont screw around trying to be rambo or super survivor get the hell out. best survival strategy is to know when to move on down the road.

have fun
cricket
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x2 on the fruit skin/rind. i made the same mistake in china.
pepto is your friend.
 
Keep your wallet / PSK / Emergency cash in a hidden place and keep a duplicate wallet with a few bucks and very little else of value in your pocket - when I went to Haiti, I kept my ID and cash around my neck with a neck knife just in case I had to reach for it (not that I was going to be a hero or anything, but it never hurts to have a backup plan).

Plenty of locals in third world countries notice that you look out of place and robbers are typically criminals of convenience.
 
The only hints I can offer is to carry a copy of your passport in a separate location than you REAL passport.

While the copy is in no way official, if you lost your passport and you could get to an embassy or consulate office you could at least show them something.

I just stay very aware. Im geeky like that. I dont like to drink excessively when I travel either. Thats not the time to be out of control and out of your element.

Head on a swivel... front pocket wallet and all that.

My Bro in law (far more traveled than me) carries a balloon with just a few breaths of air in it in his pocket above his wallet.

An old pick pocket once told him that that is about the best defense there is. the sticky rubber balloon prevents anything from being pulled out of your pocket. Of course you have to carry a goofy limp balloon in your pocket. LOL.

I have no idea about African travel. All my travels are in Europe. I try.. (And its darn near impossible) to not look American.

Again, I just try to stay very aware and never try to stand out.
 
ther's nothing wrong with the open display of knives and guns... as long as they ain't being pointed at anyone, especially YOU. :D

if you don't know how to operate a Kalashnikov, learn! sure, you're not likely to need to know how, but you never know. :rolleyes:
 
i have been to easily over 30 different countries now. Customs and courtesies are always good to learn but for the most part it is generally acceptable that the stupid American will make some mistakes and the locals will help you learn. Know the basics so you don't piss people off right away.

The best thing to do is to start learning the language. When the locals see that you are making an effort and know the basics they will be more willing to help you.

I haven't been to Ethiopia but I have traveled to other parts of Africa. Always with the Army so my experience was quite different than what you will see. Definitely make sure you can keep yourself healthy. Your body will react quite differently than the locals when you start eating their food. I am sure your friend will be well versed in what you need to know.

As far as survival there is so much to learn about e&e in a foreign country, your best bet is to have a lot of cash on your person and know how to get to the closest U.S. embassy.
 
partisan1911 said:
i have been to easily over 30 different countries now. Customs and courtesies are always good to learn but for the most part it is generally acceptable that the stupid American will make some mistakes and the locals will help you learn. Know the basics so you don't piss people off right away.

The best thing to do is to start learning the language. When the locals see that you are making an effort and know the basics they will be more willing to help you.

I haven't been to Ethiopia but I have traveled to other parts of Africa. Always with the Army so my experience was quite different than what you will see. Definitely make sure you can keep yourself healthy. Your body will react quite differently than the locals when you start eating their food. I am sure your friend will be well versed in what you need to know.

As far as survival there is so much to learn about e&e in a foreign country, your best bet is to have a lot of cash on your person and know how to get to the closest U.S. embassy.
Click to expand...

I agree 100% with all of this. I haven't been to quite 30, but I'm knocking on the door. When I know I'm going somewhere, the first thing I start doing is learning the history of the country and start on the language right away. For an extended Albania trip, I found an Albanian online and practiced with him once a week on Skype for free. NOTHING, and I mean NOTHING will ingratiate you to your new friends as knowing the history of their country and some of their language. I guarantee you they will be shocked that these Americans they hear are so arrogant can actually have some nice people that care about other countries.

Try not to offend the locals with the food thing but eat lightly and as blandly as possible for the first few days. Bring pepto, cipro, tums, immodium, whatever works for you and a roll of toilet paper flattened and stuffed in a ziploc sandwich bag. That stays in my pants cargo pocket all the time. I can't tell you how many 3rd world countries I've been to that are so opposed to toilet paper:eek: Just typing this makes me think of the gang-green yak burgers in Tibet, unidentifiable meat in Morocco, the ants in Colombia, etc. :barf: Yep, toilet paper is my best friend:o

I agree with the last part, especially. Once you think you've got everything you need for the trip packed, get rid of half the stuff and take twice the money. Skill and will, not gear and beer.

"He who would travel happy must travel light." Antoine St Exupery
 
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