Travel advice

My post is specially dedicated to women traveler to Islamic countries, as I have experienced myself some inconvenience in my trips to Iran and Egypt, I would like to write some helpful suggestions about travelers, and for people who are in love with the East and North Africa as me. :)

I. Preparing luggage

a. First of all when you prepare your luggage, have in mind that not all of your possessions cant come inside! For women is specially important to think two and three and five times, until they prepare their bags. You are not a snail or turtle moving all his home on her shoulders. So take care! Remember to take as little things as possible. For me, as most of women, the formula – “not so many clothes” is not working at all, because then I take all what I think is important (that includes all what I like). You should concentrate on what really is necessary and try to come in a mind of men during this time.

b. A big travel suitcase is needed of course, if you are going to stay long time, and even short. But do not use its capacity to the fullest, remember that on the way you are the only one who will push and pull this suitcase, even on wheels, or even if your companion do it, have pity on him! First start with the most needed things – like underwear, brassiere and pajama. That everyone can decide, again take not all your wardrobe. Then a middle size (and not heavy) towel will be good to have, but just one. *don’t take 2 towels because if you are going to a hotel, they would have surely there, and if you are just on a trip with friends, again you wont need many!

c. Cosmetics – the women`s horror for men (usually men don’t have this problem, as they don’t use creams and lotions for every single part of the body). So take a deep breath… Take first your favorite soap, so simple and easy. Again remember to not take 2 or 3 or countless pieces from all your favorite things. For example, you could take – one lipstick, eye shadows little box, eye pencil or eyeliner (all this is compact in your hand bag). When it comes to body cosmetics, think from the most necessary – for example ladies safety razor, shower gel (little quantity). When you come to shampoo and hair things, the best is not to take big packages (as usual from 250 ml) but buy specially little packages for one time use, so you`ll save place and could take something else instead. About body lotion also take little package, because wherever you go, for sure you wont be in the full desert with only sand hills around and camels in chain walk…So be aware that everywhere in this countries you can find shops with such stuff and pharmacies. Next – you should take surely ladies tampons, and some intimate wipes in your handbag for any case. For cosmetics what I would take is my favorite cream face and eye cream. (and that will be important as the sun in the hot climates is too strong, so your skin can become dry)

d. another thing about women who are in love with cosmetic stuff – face foundation could appear not well in very high temperatures, as it will melt down on your face and you can look comically with it on your face and sweat on your nose. So be careful using good one or better not using at all, instead little powder.

e. Don’t forget of course your favorite perfume in little package, and deo spray/ cream. All things against sweat could be welcome. For example I use one baby powder of Jonson which is really good for this reason, also in under arms.

f. Now we come to the point – what clothes to take? Take care that Islamic countries have really limits about clothes for women and you cant simply go with your short skirt or swimming suit in the street (not because will be funny and crazy, but will be 100% dangerous). From my experience I can say, every time when I took full suitcase with clothes…finally I used just one third of them! So don’t take too much. Depending on the season and weather, light and not tight jeans are always good. Take one and you could travel with another. Take 1-2 light trousers from cotton or flax. Then if you are going to Iran, you could certainly look up some fashion images, how women dress there (and you will be surprised, as they are not so closed) There you will be fine if you take some little wide tunic, dress or and shirt. Take 2 of each, also take care of the colors. In this countries, if you are with too high colors (like pink, red, orange) you will risk to follow you in the streets and be to disturbed by passionate eastern men. Also don’t wear totally white, which wont be suitable (except if you are on a travel with big ship with foreigners). Take clothes, that will cover all your arms to the wrists. In this societies (except Pakistan and India maybe) they appreciate using ore dark colors – like black, brown, gray, blue, lavender. But still you have choices and it`s not obligatory to be fully in black (as its law only if you travel to Saudi Arabia). If you are going to Egypt, you could enjoy wearing traditional clothes like long sleeves “galabeya” and they have really beautiful ones. (But then you should take care to not leave your hair lose, while wearing it!) Simple jeans/ trousers and long tunic dress (to cover your butt possibly) is good choice.

g. Body wear – First or second time when I went to Egypt, I faced hard times to find suitable clothes for there from my country. I was not aware in this time of many social and cultural restrictions, so I just bought with a friend of mine, two pieces of jumpsuit in black and gray , which looked nice and light…with only the small problem that it was strapless and showed my open shoulders. I didn’t notice even this, and thought it would be just fine, if my legs and body is covered (up to my breasts) and leave all my shoulders, part of my back and arms to appear naked. (well, for Europe and America this is really called “covered”, but not for Middle east.) Then I understood what is meaning of mistake.  You could use jumpsuit in good way of course, but only if you put under a long sleeves body wear, also your neck and upper part of your breasts cant appear. That means take in your suitcase also some 3-4 body wears, as well as tights and stockings. If you like long skirts, here is the time –you can take 2-3 of them.

h. The last thing from the so long list – scarves. In any Islamic country is nice to have some of them – of course don’t overdo with it! You can take 5 scarves, and you can always buy more from the place. Here is the time to say: there is a big difference between Iranian rules and customs of wearing “hijab” –head scarf- and these in Egypt or North Africa. If you are foreigner and non Muslim, in Iran is still obligatory to have head scarf, no matter how you`ll call it or how you will make it. Just slight and slack put around your shoulder in any possible way is fine. Don’t be harsh to make complicated scarf ties and wraps around your head! Most of the women in Iran wear hijab in very casual way, most of their hair in front appears and back is covered. (It was not rarely to see woman with scarf, but her long hair appears under it and not covered).

If you travel with a group, you would be warned from your guides.

In Egypt, unlike that, if you are non Muslim, you are not obliged to wear hijab. No matter of that, its better if you wear your hair tied on a bun or a plait, if its long. Simply because then you wont attract so much attention (Egyptian women have really big and strong hairs) and also because of some dry winds from the desert, which can make your hair full of sand. That’s why it`s nice to wear scarf.

h. Shoes – the most important thing for all travelers! I don’t advice you here to take your high heels or elegant super boots, or shoes for party. And it`s obviously why. Take very comfortable sport shoes, which you feel good talk walk for long time, plus a pair of lovely flats, and pair of flip flops, and sandal. In Islamic countries (except if your husband is not very conservative Muslim) you can wear sandal and your feet can be bare, so don’t worry about that.

i. Hand bag. Your bag should be very light and compact, so to be comfortable to wear it always and any time. Don’t make it full with useless stuff! For example in it you could take: - simple cosmetics (lip balsam, lipstick, eyeliner, powder, deodorant, hand mirror); - wet wipes for hands, napkins, intimate wipes; - mint bonbons, chewing gum; - little notebook and pen; - sun glasses; (tweezers or sharp things are not allowed if you will travel with airplane.) You should definitely take in your bag: all money in wallet, passport, documents, keys (in a safe place); medicines and pills for stomach are very important on this travel! Also eye drops could be is use; little water, orange juice, some biscuits for the travel (or some home made cookies which you can prepare for your friends from the place u go). Then also: camera, tablet or mobile in safe place, head scarf and your favorite magazine if you like to read. Don’t forget also your hair ribbing and hairpins and clips. So you are ready?

Always stick the rule, the less you have, lighter you feel! You wont forget all your stuff in various places, if you are easy to move and your bags are organized. With my travels I often faced this problem, I took too many things, most of them useless and I even forget about them. If you take book, let it just one. In my last travel, I lost so many things, even my favorite book which I took from home. I was really sad about it. Moreover I lost other stuff all the time, including cardigan. Women who go for more than 10 days to any place, tend to take their all home possessions. Don’t make mistake to take more than 2-3 pieces of one thing. Remember there u`ll find also civilized area and shops where you can buy things. You can use laundry everywhere too. Take most important and forget other.

In Middle East is meaningless to have : shorts (for running) or sport, except if u are in a special home without any men around and you could use it (maybe), sexy tight dresses, any tight clothes; Be as simple as possible, that’s the key.

One sample list could be:

Suitcase:

-        package with underwear pants and bra;

-        trousers from cotton/ flax (2)

-        jeans (1 or 2)

-        long skirts (2-3)

-        long dresses (2)

-        tunics and shirts (3-4)

-        head scarves (5)

-        body wear (2-3)

-        cardigan (1)

-        tights/ pants (3)

-        cosmetic bag with essential things

-        ribbons (some colors)

-        favorite perfume (1)

-        favorite book (1)

-        hair oil little

-        safety razor

Hand bag:

-        money, passport, documents;

-        medicine for stomach, and head, eye drops

-        little notebook (with written addresses of embassies of my country in the place I go and telephones of all people I know!)

-        camera, tablet, phone, keys

-        wet wipes for hands and intimate, napkins

-        mint bonbons, chewing gum

-        possibly cards from my country

-        lips balsam, eyeliner, eye pencil, powder, mirror;

-        hair bans and hairpins and clips

-        sun glasses in a cover, magazine

-        water/ juice/ biscuits homemade

* more tips: if you go in a hot season, don’t take chocolate things inside your bag, as they will melt. Better take some sweet biscuits, or honey cookies. In Islamic countries is not advisable to put on high color lipstick (if any), so take care of that. Instead you can have something transparent and eyeliner (which is not resolving in the sun). Mascara is also not a good choice in hot weather, as it could leave your eyes with black marks. Use just dry powder. You wont need umbrella so save it at home, but take sun glasses. And last but not least – read all news about the place you are going before, see some fashion and traditions there, so to be prepared for what you`ll see. Have opinions of more people, make health insurance before you go and if you don’t know the language (or if you know it not so well too) take a little phrase book and dictionary with your bag.

That’s all!

Good luck!