By Returning home for Christmas this year? Well, lucky you! I can’t lie and say I do not hate from a distance!
I’m afraid I will be watching you all enjoy the sunshine while I stay in the cold with my headscarf haha! Although I won’t be enjoying the sun with you lucky people this December, I thought it would be good to share a few tips you may want to consider or keep in mind before returning home to the mother island this year! So as usual, carry on reading…
I hope these tips can help you with your holidays and if you have any suggestions on returning home share in the comments below.
5 Things You Should Consider Before Returning Home This Christmas
1. Get your vaccinations
I am going to state the obvious – get your vaccinations!! It’s already December so I would like to believe you have already sorted this out, but if you haven’t book that emergency appointment, please.
I travel back home at least every two years, so these usually last for me, but if you’re unsure of what you need, contact your doctors immediately!
The National Travel Health Network and Centre and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Nigeria and Ghana: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, cholera, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio and tetanus.
Don’t forget your malaria tablets! And please don’t go and spend a fortune in Boots or Superdrug. Head over to Asda the pills are much cheaper than the other companies. I usually get the daily ones, but there are other options for you to choose from. Speak to your GP for more info.
2. Be mindful of the weather
The Harmattan is a season in the West African subcontinent, which occurs between the end of November right through to March. It is characterised by the dry and dusty northeasterly trade wind, of the same name, which blows from the Sahara Desert over West Africa into the Gulf of Guinea. The name is related to the word haramata in the Twi language, meaning the temperature is cold and in most places, it can also be hot. This all depends on local circumstances.
Be mindful of the weather. When I was last in Nigeria (in 2017, which seems years ago now)! I didn’t really feel that it was actually hot. The locals kept going on about haramata time, which made no sense to me. I later realised that it is actually a thing. If I was you, I would be sure to prepare for this weather and don’t just pack for summer clothing. I would also suggest wearing glasses, which may help protect your eyes from the dust!
3. The Shows
Shows and events will not even stop from the moment you arrive in the motherland (without me)! Yes, I am hella hating! Returning home involves some form of turn up. And you know us Africans know how to enjoy ourselves!
In Ghana, you will have Afrochella and the Year of Return. Nigeria, (my motherland) will have a million events to attend. And I am sure the rest of Africa will have some fantastic things planned for those returning home. So please enjoy for me, and make sure you do Instagram lives for me so I can really enjoy well!
In all the fun, please please be mindful of your safety! The level of security is not always monitored as well as us Westerner know it to be so please ensure you make the necessary arrangments for your own well-being.
4. Power Bank
You are going to be out most of the day and night! You know recording for yourself and me of course! Please, you will want to record everything for me to see.
Be sure to have a power bank and even consider collecting a sim card while you are out there! Honestly, you and I both don’t want to miss out on live videos and content! Give me content please and take two power banks!
Get yourself a Power Bank!
5. Be aware of insects
Please note, I was invited to cover the We Drifters event and kindly gifted with a set of pyjamas. All views are my own.
Insects and mosquitos don’t play out there! I was literally chewed alive while I was out there in 2017! Just take a look at this huge bite!
I was recently invited to an event with a company called We Drifters to hear about four women’s travelling experiences. The owner Naudia shared her story of how she began building her brand, which led her to create anti-insect sleepwear.
At the end of the event, Naudia was kind enough to gift me with the sleepwear. The sleepwear is made of bamboo fabric and technology, which keeps the insects away!
I will definitely be wearing mine when I travel to Jamacia next year. And of course, give a hands-on experience of what it was like! If you are interested in buying yourself an anti-insect sleepwear kit, then buy yours here.
- Find out more about We Drifters:
- Website: www.wedrifters.co.uk
- Instagram: @wedrifters
- Facebook: @wedrifters.co.uk
- Twitter: @we_drifters
Thank you for taking the time to have a read of my 5 tips in returning home. I would also like to thank We Drifters for my gift and inviting me to such a powerful event.
Do you have any tips to share? Go ahead in the comment section below. Either way, I hope you all enjoy yourself and make sure you take explicit videos and pictures so I can be at home enjoying in my headscarf!
I talk about the importance of going/visiting home regularly. Read – It’s So Important To Visit/ Go Back Home
