Safari Style

Packing for the Savanna

 

Africa bound!

After extensive research and shopping around for the perfect safari clothing, I quickly came to the conclusion that there were not enough (or any) resources for finding the perfect safari wardrobe. The research that I did prior to the trip and my almost 2 weeks experience in Tanzania taught me a great deal about what to bring to Africa and what you will need for game drives in the bush. I learned a lot in the process and would like to pass this knowledge on to anyone who is thinking about making a future visit. 

My best advice is to pack wisely, because you'll most likely only be allotted 30lbs of luggage.

The Essentials:

"Gentleman Explorers" headdress -

Let me start by talking about the perfect safari hat, the pith helmet. Also known as the safari or African pith helmet, it's a lightweight and hard hat that not only protects you from the sun, but also will not blow off your head or flop around as you drive around in your open air Land Rover. Not to mention it's quite fun and stylish. You're on a safari, get into it!! It also came in handy when we were whipping around the bush in the dark, it's great protection from bugs slamming into your head, and just hitting your head in general...I only speak from experience.

Traditional canvas pith helmet, purchased new from eBay for $30.

Woven pith helmet, purchased new from eBay for $18.

The pith helmet has been around since the 1840's and has been used by European military personnel in the tropics. It then became popular for civilians of both genders and of all ages to wear in the mid-19th century. These days the pith helmet is best known for its novel and vintage appearance.

Footwear -

The Classic MacAlister from J.Crew is truly the perfect safari shoe. The flat MacAlister's are unisex; woman size down by 2 1/2 sizes. J. Crew says to take two sizes smaller, but I found that they were still too big. I'm an 8 1/2 in woman's and I took a size 6 in the unisex MacAlister. These beige suede durable boots are a must for the savanna. But in all honesty you could wear sneakers or stilettos and it wouldn't really matter, it's not like you're going on a hike or something, you stay inside the Land Rover at all times unless you need a quick stretch or to check the tire pressure (aka using nature's toilet). However, I did go on one short hike that was pretty steep and the rub soles were great at gripping the ground.

Again, these boots were worn by British officers during WWII, and after speaking to the employees at Singita about footwear they said that the same exact type of shoe is manufactured in Tanzania. They seem to be popular because of their comfort and durability. My Tanzanian friends also wore very similar leather hiking boots, a lot like the MacAlister Brickman boot. For a more feminine touch I brought my rubber high heel MacAlister's and wore them on a few game drives; they worked perfectly fine. They also sell a wedge version of the MacAlister for the ladies. The boots will last you long after you return from your safari, and the more you wear them the better they look! 

 Game Drive Attire & Bug Repellent Clothes -

 

For the entire 2 weeks that we were in Tanzania we only wore long sleeve shirts and pants on every game drive, regardless of the temperature. It's nice to have a few vests with lots of pockets made of heavy canvas or linen to throw over any top. Mornings in the bush are perfectly brisk, and the breeze from the drive can leave you wanting a bit more warmth. I did wear my beige Mackage wool coat a few times, particularly in the early mornings and during the hot air balloon ride over the plains. 

Not only should you cover your legs and arms when on a game drive, but the fabric should be thick and breathable. The African sun is strong to the point where it's better to cover up to protect yourself rather than using sunscreen. However, the best reason to completely cover up at all times is to prevent bug bites, specifically viscous blood sucking flies that live in certain parts of the bush. The key is to be able to give as much attention to the beauty of the Serengeti and the animals that inhabit it, than constantly swatting. The regular flies don't bother me at all, I understand that we're visiting their kingdom and it comes with the territory. Bug repellent bandanas and shirts are very effective at keeping flies at bay (Thanks for the Christmas gift, Dad!), as well as the more stylish and corky mosquito nets that goes over the pith helmet. The netting allows you to talk without eating a dozen bugs in the process, this is particularly helpful during night time drives. 

 The one thing that I didn't bring with me that I would recommend, are thick long socks to cover the ankles. The Japanese guests even wear gloves!

 

The Gentleman Explorer Wardrobe - 

 

Prince of the jungle

  Men's Safari Pants: Of all places, Abercrombie & Fitch, is a great place to find thick and color appropriate pants/shorts for a safari. After all they are the cargo king, and who can distress a pair of pants better than crombie!? Thanks to the European obsession with American clothing this brand is going no where, it's basically an institution, just look at the line going around the block at the Abercrombie on 5th Ave.!!! When we went into the store I felt so tempted to buy a pair of sweat pants with the massive logo on the side, just because I could!!!Peter immediately put the kibosh on my brief lapse in judgement. I couldn't help it... it's the middle/high school-er inside me that could never afford Abercrombie. Oh how i yearned for those stupid ugly sweat pants and tissue tees back in the day. Long story short, they actually have pretty good safari pants, just try to control yourself around the rest of the garments.

Men's Shirts: J. Crew and Orvis carry a wide variety of thick and sometimes bug repellent long sleeve shirts, as well as breathable linen button downs.

The Lady Explorer Wardrobe -

 

Singita's Faru Faru Lodge, Bungalow #8

Women's Safari Pants: I can never stray from the great quality and fit of Rag and Bone, and I also found some old United Colors of Benetton pants (pictured below) in the back of my closet that were safari-perfect. Shopping in your own closet is the best! I purchased one pair of cargo pants for the trip by Henry Cotton's (pictured above), and they turned out to be insanely comfortable, functional, and chic.

Vests and Jackets: Sleeveless beige linen vest by C &C California. Short sleeve army green canvas jacket by Club Monaco. 

Women's Safari Shirts: Scroll down to the 'Serengeti Style' section for more details.

Where and how to find safari appropriate garments?
Your best bet is to peruse sites like www.polyvore.com or www.joox.com, and other sites of this nature. For very last minute basics, try Forever 21, they have a wide variety of beige camis and tees....for $1.80 - $3.80?! Basically disposable. It's a great store to visit in a pinch.

Color Palette -

 

 Of course, the typical color palette of the savanna consists of various shades of green and a symphony of beige. The reddish-brown color of the Grumeti roads are found across Africa,  yet this particular dirt was brought in from outside the reserve, as I learned from my guide. 

During this time of year (Dec-Jan) the land is much more green than it is beige, the sun has yet to burn away the gorgeous green pigment, and the grass is not yet tall, making it much easier to spot the lions and cheetahs napping in the shade of the trees.

Lion cuddle time

Two male cheetahs chillin

 The contrast of bright green and dark reddish brown is absolutely stunning. 

  

Honestly, the ground is so beautiful I wanted to get out and roll around in it. It's quite inviting. Pictures will never do it justice. Maybe it's not so bad being a warthog after all, at least they get to bathe in the gorgeous Serengeti mud....

Bath time for Mr. Warthog, or is it Mrs.?

Serengeti Style, Lady Explorer Continued -

Shirts w/ beaded detail by Maison Scotch

Ladies, if you want to truly epitomize the Tanzanian look, a beaded Maasai detail on your shirt is the perfect accent and quite appropriate. In America and abroad these festive clothing items, especially shirts, can be found at Scotch and Soda, a brand out of Amsterdam that boasts a tribal influence. They continue to create tops with beautifully beaded collars and epaulettes every season. I'm a huge fan. I received many compliments  from my Tanzanian friends, they truly appreciate beautiful clothing and jewelry, it's part of their culture.

Linen Safari Hat By Helen Kaminski, Green Button Down Shirt By Forever 21

For Maasai woman, creating jewelry is one of their duties, and selling these gorgeous designs truly benefits their community. The intricate and colorful bead work reveals more than just the beauty and creativity of the culture, it also demonstrates social standing, and prosperity. And beyond that, each colorful bead has it's own significance and meaning.

Traditional Maasai Necklace

Red = bravery, danger, strength, unity.
Blue = sky, heavens, which provides water for cattle.
Green = grass, which is food for cattle.
Orange = hospitality
White = purity, like milk from cattle.
Black = the color of the people and of hardships.

The main garment worn by the Maasai is the shuka, which is a basic piece of cotton fabric that is dyed red and is often times plaid, this creates a sort of camouflage against the red dirt found in that part of Africa. 

African Nights -

 

  After sunset the flies go to sleep and you're finally able to show off your shoulders. Singita made every dinner so special, romantic, and unique that I was thankful I put some much thought into my nighttime lodge attire. The kaftan is essential for warm african nights, it's a very romantic shape, especially against the flickering candle light and gas lamps. No one does a kaftan quite like Issa, a London brand with a Brazilian flair, made popular by Kate Middleton when she stepped out with Prince William to publicly announce their engagement, wearing the blue cross body dress. Pictured below is Issa's metallic printed silk-blend chiffon gown and I added the traditional beaded collar for our very special New Year's Eve celebration.

                                                     
I prefer maxi dresses above all else for warm African nights. Fellow Buffalonian, Mara Hoffman, truly captures the essence of tribal glam in her unique designs and patterns. I brought along three of her maxi dresses, all with their own individual African flare. Vibrant colors, gorgeous bead work, and eye catching prints; it's easy to see that Hoffman pulls her inspiration from nature, world travel and fantasy. It feels good to support the talent of a fellow Buffalo gal AND her father is a cellist in the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. Love it! As all amazing stories go, Hoffman was walking down a NYC street and was stopped and complimented on her outfit by Sex and the City Costume designer, Patricia Fields, and the rest is history. When asked in an interview what her best style advice is, she replied,"be animal!"

 

Fitted Maxi Dress by Mara Hoffman

Beaded Neck Maxi Dress by Mara Hoffman

Slip Gown by Mara Hoffman

 

 

 "Since the days of early explorers, travelers have come from afar to experience the magic of the Serengeti. Legend has it that at one time, when there was a lot of paoching in the area and the wildlife was suffering, people used to call this area 'Si bora', which means 'bad place to go'. It is said that since Singita and Grumeti wildlife stepped in to stop the hunting and poaching, the place became known as 'Sabora', meaning good place to go. As one of the most remote locations on earth, this is a place to surrender, as ordinary moments are transformed into indelible memories."

- Singita

Eulogy

 I dedicate this blog to my grandmother, Molly Angelo. She was one of thirteen children born to Polish immigrant parents, growing up during the Great Depression. What she lacked in money and education she made up for with the most unconditional and abundant love you could ever dream to imagine. A love so deep and vast that the ocean would be jealous. I was blessed enough to receive that love first hand every single day. Now she is gone, yet that love lives inside me. 

Matilda H. (Molly) Angelo - 2nd from the right

I had the distinct honor of eulogizing my grandmother at her funeral on Saturday December 7th, at Holy Angels Church.  She passed away on Thanksgiving night 2013. 

"Loving, like prayer, is a power as well as a process. 

                    It's curative. It is creative." - Zona Gale 

This was my eulogy to Molly Angelo:

 Good Morning.

I would like to begin by thanking everyone who is present here today. It means so much to the Angelo family that you are with us to celebrate the long and loving life of Molly Angelo.

Let me tell you a little bit about Molly. I met my grandmother when she was 65 years old and by that point she had experienced enough to fill two lifetimes. Molly’s life and love was always focused on her family and the second half of her life was all about her granddaughters, and eventually her great grandchildren, Nick and Alyssa.

Michelle, Annie, and I were her entire world and her happiness. She would have fought through a blizzard to be at the hospital for our births, and she did.

My father recently told me a story about how, on the day I was born, my grandma held me when I was just out of the womb, still bloody from birth and a nurse told her that she needed to take me away to clean me up. But grandma wouldn’t leave my side. Knowing her she probably didn’t trust the nurse to be as gentle with me as she was. She may have even suspected that someone would kidnap me or switch me with another baby, that was my grandma.

For those of you that knew Molly well, you know that she wasn’t an overly joyous or happy person, but when her granddaughter’s were present, she was all smiles.

However, none of us could make her laugh quite like Annie could. To Annie, grandma was known as Mertle and together they were partners in crime. They would stay up until all hours of the night playing cards and joking around. And I know that my sister definitely inherited the one of a kind phrases that grandma would come up with like her most famous “Stop Monkin Around”. Now we can always count of Annie for a one of a kind phrase that gets everyone rolling on the floor laughing.   

In Molly’s eyes her children and grandchildren could do no wrong. She blamed herself before she would condemn anyone in her family. I can tell you from my own experience that no matter how many times I would wet her bed, or make a mess with my toys, or incessantly knock on her door, just yearning for her attention, not once did she get mad at me, turn me away, or even get annoyed.  

She showed the greatest Esprit de Corps to her family.  A phrase that I learned during my 8 years in the Marine Corps, it means having feelings of loyalty, enthusiasm, and devotion to a group of people. And THAT was Molly.

Never have we met a stronger, feistier, more opinioned, and nurturing human being. She took care of me and loved me everyday when I was a child, and when it finally came time for me to go to Kindergarten, she walked me into School #3, just a few blocks away from here, and as she tried to drop me off… I just lost it!

I started crying uncontrollably, to the point where the teacher yelled at me and told me to go into the bathroom and collect myself, but I couldn’t, I tried so hard, I just couldn’t stop the tears from coming out of my eyes.

I’ve only been that upset a handful of times in my life. I can still feel how hard my heart was beating and my stomach twisting in anguish.

Looking back on it, I now realize how philosophical that moment was. I think part of me wished to live in those moments with gram forever, if only I could have found a way to bend time, because after I walked out of that bathroom I had to grow up, loose my innocence, and face the harsh realities of life. And my grandma knew that. She obviously didn’t want our time to end either, because she somehow talked the teacher into letting her become the teachers assistant so she could come to school with me every single day.

This was not an isolated incident. Children crying in the wake of her absence was Molly’s unique talent. The same exact thing happened to Michelle, the second grandma would take out her suitcase and start to get ready to leave, Michelle would scream and cry, all the way from the house, to the airport, and into the terminal… as if the world was coming to an end.

It was never easy for us to see her go; because when she was gone you quickly realized that her unconditional love and presence was like a supernova occurring in the Milky Way. In other words it was far from common.

It was the way you felt about yourself when you were around her that was so intoxicating.

When it comes to grandma there are so many words of wisdom that she instilled in all of us, most of which had to do with studying hard and getting good grades. And of course we all have our own wonderful memories of her.

But for me it’s all about the unspoken and subconscious details that stir in my mind, like my grandmothers hands, when I close my eyes I can see her hands. They were the hands of a woman who had worked so hard and loved so much that she had worn away the prints on her fingertips. She had peeled and cut so many potatoes that she had permanent lines from where the knife pressed against the cushion of her thumb. When I was a child I memorized those hands; the way they looked, the pressure of her touch, the strength of her grasp and of course, cold hands warm heart.

The only thing I can possibly compare her to, at the end of her life, is the story of the Velveteen Rabbit. I know this story so well because it’s one of my aunt Tee’s favorite books. The moral of the story is that in loving others and in others loving us, we become real and find the true meaning of life.

"What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day, "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"

"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."

"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.

"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."

"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"

"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."

Well, I can tell that Molly looked like she had been relentlessly loved after 94 years of life, and in becoming real she is finally free from the restraints and boundaries of her frail body. In the last 5 years she was so beautifully loved and cared for by my aunt, with the help of her wonderful aids, which include my mother and two sisters. I would like to thank you all on behalf of our entire family. Because of your gracious care my grandmother was able to stay in the comfort of her own home that she lived in for past 70 years. And ultimately passed away peacefully in the very apartment that I grew up in.

Thank you Lord for showing yourself through the love of Molly Angelo, which made us who we are in your reflection.

Because God IS Love.

And if there is one truth, it is that... Love, never dies.