In my last video, I talked about some of the experiences I had or heard about concerning safety and health. Here are some tips to be safe and feel safe.
Again, I would never say I felt terribly unsafe in Guinea but that's not to say it's a paradise either.
1) Feel secure about your money
First of all Peace Corps actually has a safe for you keep essential items (Passport, large amounts of cash, etc). When I traveled, I had a money belt, money in my wallet, and usually money somewhere obscure. While neither I nor any other Guinea volunteers were ever robbed or mugged, it made me feel better knowing if that ever happened, I know that I had money elsewhere.
2) House
All PC houses and huts have metal grills on the windows and at least two locks or two doors with locks. These provide quite a bit of security but you should tell your boss immediately if there is a problem. You also have a high quality mosquito net to keep out any pesty animals or bugs. You'll need to be vigilante if there are spots where mice can get in, however.
3) Food
Learn what you need to know about food as to how to prepare it, cook it, and preserve it. I usually only ate hot food and I was well aware that dairy products did not mix well with doxy, my malaria prophylaxis. I drank Oral Rehydration Salts (sugarless gatorade) just as a precaution regularly. Also, essential but forgotten in the video--don't skip meals. Always keep eating to keep your energy and your health up.
4) Taxis
Don't be afraid to say no to a bad looking taxi or a driver who you know is crazy. Luckily, most are in decent shape. Use a handkerchief to breathe through if you're traveling in an older vehicle or if you're on an industrial or dusty road. Never ride in the trunk or on top of a taxi or on a moto. You might get fired for doing any of those three, actually.
5) Communication
Have friends. Have people who check up on you regularly who will think it odd if you don't show up. Communicate with your bosses, other volunteers, and villagers about your trips. Make sure people know where you and who you are with.
6) Going out at night
Go out with other volunteers. It's doubted that anyone will get wasted because alcohol is expensive and not high quality and chances are, none of you have enough energy to be out too late. Go out as a group, come back as a group. Always have someone to go back to the Peace Corps house with.
7) Knives
You can't bring guns into Guinea but if your dad is like mine, he'll want you to have some sort of protection on you at all times. My dad gave me two knives. I was never in a situation where I had to use either to defend myself and both were quite useful at cutting meat and other tough items. But it made him feel better.
8) Protests
Avoid Protests and any place where masses of gendarmes are. Don't be a journalist. Don't be a pioneer filmmaker or daring photographer.
9) Abundance of Caution
Live with an excess of caution until you can understand your environment more. That's a safe choice. Don't be cocky or confident because you lived or visited elsewhere.
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