Well, I’m off to Honduras in a few weeks for a 9-day mission trip. (Going to help build a church). First time there.

Any tips, pointers, comments, warnings, etc., from the ETS multitude would be most appreciated. Specifically -

Am thinking of getting a Camelbak and a water filter for drinking water, but several people have suggested against this, as it looks to “militaristic” - and the locals do not like the US military, or anyone/anything associated with it. True?

What is the terrorism threat there?

What are the rules re: PSK, my Wave, cellphone, etc.?

Thanks,

…..CLIFF

In the past no OD or camo clothes, Tan was OK for "cargo" pocket pants and muti pocket vests. Depending on how rural you'll be, you want to think about mosquito net, insect repellant and a way to be SURE that the water is OK.
A good FAK thought around your enviroment. Hat, sunglasses, and work gloves. Of course any meds you need.
If you need to see a travel MD before you go ask about gettting antibiotics or other meds to take a long just in case.
Bring 2 or 3 small flashlights ( + batts and bulbs) , as power can go out often. A small container of laundry soap will help with keeping your clothes clean. Off the top of my head that's all I can think of.

Dave

For a ready source of clean water, I always take my Katadyn Exstream Purifier to Ecuador. It is easy to carry and provides a ready source of water. Just be aware, when traveling through the airport screening areas, to have it separate or in an outside pocket of your carry-on backpack as it will show up “funny” on the x-ray machine, but other than a “what’s that”, I have had no real problems.

Standard things like duct tape, wire, wire ties, SAK, FAK, sewing kit, etc. that you have seen listed in various posts can all come in handy.

Pete

Nalgene offers a tubing "kit" to convert one of their bottles (with the straw type lid) to a water-on-the-go rig. It's little more than food grade tubing with a crimp but.....with a Nalgene bottle hanging off of a belt in some type of colorful insulated carrier, it won't look very "military". Plus, many water filters adapt to Nalgene bottles.

Just a thought.

Harley

I never really thought of my reflective blue and silver 2 liter Camelbak to be militray-looking... but to Honduran eyes who knows. I have never been that far South so I couldn't say. Seems odd though to me. Were I in your shoes I'd probably get a second opinion.

The Camelbak belongs to a friend of mine, and I was going to borrow it. It's black - he bought it in 2003 and took it to Afghanistan. It's not military per se, but.........

Don't know anyone with a more colorful Camelbak. Besides, black is so IN this year. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

.....CLIFF

Black should be ok for a camelback, but just as long as you're not wearing olive drab clothes or cammo clothing, or have a bunch of LBV web gear hanging off of you. It's the middle of summer there right now, so make sure you keep hydrated, however you do it. Also, a big fat yes on the water filter. Giardia (or however you spell it) sucks big time (ask me how I know <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />). You shouldn't have to use it too much if you are working with a group that does a lot of this kind of stuff. If they don't have a base camp set up with a filtering system in place, then they should at least be boiling the water for everyone and have a few jugs of drinkable water for you to fill up on. If the people organizing this trip just expect you to drink the regular tap, ask for it to be boiled, and if that's not posible then filter it yourself. It's just cheap insureance.

Bring plenty of bug juice and some netting to sleep under. Impact resistant clear and shaded eye protection is highly recomended for construction (ones that won't slip off while working/being active). Sun block. Pepto pills. Flashlights are a must. Keep your passport on you at all times (except maybe while showering) not in your backpack, but on your body, like in a waist pouch under your clothes. And have a copy or two in a safe place.

God bless you, and have fun!

-Jeff

Immodium or a generic.

I can see where solid black would look a little more "tactical". <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Instead of a Camelback, have you considered a hydration pack that fits inside a knapsack? Platypus makes one in several sizes with a plastic bladder and bite-tube.