Going on a adventure! LDS mission to the Dominican Republic.

[nthn]

I am serving a two year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Dominican Republic. I will be in the cities and rural areas. During this time I will not be taking trips home, or have access to the internet. Having the family ship me supplies comes with a high risk of theft and will cost a pretty penny.
I leave in exactly a week.

Since I have discovered this fulfilling way to shave, it pains me to think that I might have to give it up for two whole years!
I'm going to try to bring enough supplies with me to last me the trip, but since I haven't been shaving for that long, I do not know what that includes.

I shave every other day, with a three pass shave (but two would be sufficient if needs be).
I'm bringing two brushes, my Merkur HD, EJde89l, Gillette OC, and a Slim adjustable.
I have 100 Astra SP, 50 Feathers, and an assortment of probably another 30 or so blades. Is that enough blades for two years? I usually get about 4-5 shaves per blade, but that number could change depending on the supply left.

The big question is how much cream or soap should I bring with me to last for two years​?
There might be canned goop there, but I would like to have quality stuff with me for the occational spoil.

You guys on this forum have been great help. I will be sad to leave this valuable resource of knowledge behind.
Thanks!

-Nathan-

 

[ClintO]

With that kinda math then I would imagine the blades would last. I suggest a nice order for WCS since they're so close to you, gives you a couple days to figure out exactly what you want and I'd imagine they could have it shipped to you in two days(usually takes them 2-3 days to get to me in Virginia.) I would suggest hard soap so it's less to pack. 3-4 pucks should be more than enough. If it was me I'd probably order another 100 blades(cause why not) and 4 pucks of different soaps either in bowls/tubs or go ahead and order the tins with the twist off lids they have.

 

[Big Jim]

Hi Nathan,

Best wishes on your mission. I served in Montana nearly 50 years ago, and I didn't leave my mug and brush at home. I was able to buy supplies though, so I didn't have any trouble replenishing. In a pinch, you can lather up (with or without the brush) with bath soap.

You might try asking this same question of your Mission President. Either he or some of his local leaders probably know what is available locally. By now he has probably already sent you information about the clothing you need and that sort of thing and he would probably be delighted to help with this question too.

As for the number of blades, how often do you need to change blades currently? Once a week? Every two weeks? Every week would mean you would go through a little more than 100 blades in 24 months. Every two weeks would put you a little over 50.

Soap consumption can vary with the type of soap, quality of water, type and size of brush, and your lathering/shaving techniques. Hard soaps, such as Williams, last longer than soft soaps, such as Van Der Hagen. Williams sometimes will last for up to six months with daily shaving for me, and I can burn through VDH in a month. I don't use Williams often anymore, mostly preferring Col Conk Bay Rum, and it lasts longer than VDH.

What soap are you using now and how often do you need to replace the puck?

 

[sarimento1]

Nathan, you need to start thinking Local. Sacrifice your comfy ways for two years, just figure out how the Dominicans do it and just do it too! Alternatively, take a ton of good blades and use them for barter and goodwill. In any case, be adventurous! Have fun and keep safe!

 

[mvillezcas]

Nathan, Wish you the best on your Mission! I played baseball at BYU as a non-mormon and all my teammates went on amazing missions. I'm sure you'll do fine over there with your shaves. It sounds like you have a nice collections of razors and sufficient blades. Have you researched the DR's selection of shaving cream at their local stores?

 

[WetWhiskers]

Blessings, Peace and Strength as you go forward on this adventure.

Perhaps your contacts know of a lower-risk way to send things to you? If so please PM me with the information and we can pass some assorted supplies along.

"All is well."

Ww

 

[nthn]

Thanks for the tips and well wishes guys! I will look into the supplies over there. That could bring a much greater experience. I will definitely bring a few of my favorite soaps/cremes to remind me of home as a comfort. But I know the water will not be at all the same over there. I'm excited to have the adventure!

 

[dcobranchi]

I shave every day and can easily get a month out of a single shave stick (Arko or Palmolive). So, if you go the face lather route, you might need a dozen sticks. Or you could go native and purchase local sticks.

Enjoy the trip.

 

[Slash McCoy]

Take a half dozen pucks of VDH and you are good to go. You can always use bath soap when you run out, or get a care package from home once or twice a year. Add a couple drops of glycerine when lathering with bath or face soap, as needed. Pharmacies should have that. And I bet there is plenty of low cost tube cream in the drugstores in town. Locals gotta shave, too, and I bet there is a large bracket that can't afford canned goo but don't want to use spit lol! Ever try DE shaving with coconut oil? Readily available in the grocery there. Not great but it works. Hair conditioner or cream rinse works, too.

Out in the bush, a nice new razor blade is a great small goodwill gift that doesn't make the recipient feel obligated, and a pack is good for bartering, if you can keep them dry. I don't know how big DE shaving is in the DR but I bet it is considerable.

I find the folks from there to be pretty nice and I am thinking you will meet a lot of great friends there and generally enjoy your two years. Good luck and happy shaves!

 

[Christian_V]

Hey man that is going to be an amazing experience! I live in Salt Lake (which is the capitol of the LDS religion pretty much) and have a lot of friends who served missions.

These guys have already offered great advice. Shaving cream/soaps will prob be avail locally. Who knows, you might discover some exotic new shave soap to introduce the B and B community to when you return!

 

[Big Jim]

Although your communication will be limited over the next two years, we would appreciate a short note as to what you find after you have been out a month or two.

 

[nthn]

Although your communication will be limited over the next two years, we would appreciate a short note as to what you find after you have been out a month or two.

O most definitely! After a couple of months being in the field, I'll email my brother and have him post my experience on shaving in the DR.
If you would like I could also give you my mission email address. In most places I'll have access to that once a week. Just shoot me a PM if you would like that.d

 

[maxman]

Good luck. You'll get your excercise!
I think what you are bringing will be fine.

 

[Big Jim]

O most definitely! After a couple of months being in the field, I'll email my brother and have him post my experience on shaving in the DR.
If you would like I could also give you my mission email address. In most places I'll have access to that once a week. Just shoot me a PM if you would like that.d

PM Sent

 

[tutordennis]

Good luck! It sounds like it's going to be a life-changer.

 

[BarbaGnosa]

Lucky you!

I agree with those who say: go native. I suspect if you simply ask around you'll find some very nice traditional, local shaving soaps, creams, oils. It can become a topic which connects you to locals -- by the way, you don't know of any good, old fashioned local barbershops do you? Or shaving creams and soaps? That would be a great conversation topic. Once you find the barbershops, they can lead you to the rest. When I've travelled, many of the best experiences I've had are the local, off the beaten path, non-commercial, DIY/made at home the old fashioned way things. You should find quite a bit of that around the DR, from what my friends tell me. People will find you more human, neighborly, humble and personable if you're willing to try the stuff they or their Tia Juana makes in their kitchen -- especially if you like it. The local farmer's wives along the Côtes du Rhône were ecstatic that I preferred to taste their cooking and creations over some famous restaurants, and quite often the farmers' wives' was superior. The rams horns you find at little, out of the way shops in Jerusalem are often made with more care and traditional technique, and can be had for far less than the fancier models you find at the big shops, sold for hundreds. And the local shopkeepers and farmer's wives and Tia Juana's will be delighted that a stranger from thousands of miles away is eager to try their local, handcrafted stuff, and tell them it's better (which not infrequently it is) than the fancy stuff from the big suppliers.

And, conveniently, then you'll know who has what skills and production capabilities once you've got a stake under way....

 

[August West]

At least you should have no problem finding this. Enjoy the adventure.

 

[August West]

Wow, that brings back memories. I went on a LSD mission a few times many years ago. Well not actually a mission...more of an adventure. I spent two days trying to make a circle on an Etch- a -Sketch.

 

[DBdL]

Hi Nathan,

Hope you have a good time and can have enough supplies to last you the two years. Now for the odd extra info.

Be aware of Dengue Fever (also known as Break Bone Disease by a mosquito carrying Dengue Fever Virus). Just be cautious if you have sudden high fever, headaches especially behind the eyes, a pretty diffuse rash and of course rather severe bone/joint pain (hence the name). Luckily most who do get infected are asymptomatic and basically never really even notice it but some do suffer a great deal. Honestly there is little to do except supportive therapy involving hydration (usually orally). However in a small percentage of those infected you can get severe fluid accumulation due to increased capillary permeability; usually occurs a day or two once the fever resolves and can lead to death. Regardless if you feel like you may have been infected with dengue fever you really do need to go to a hospital just in case it will become a little severe and take it easy. Also MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report) have had some documented cases of Cholera over the last couple years. The number of new cases has dropped drastically but in areas with poor access to water it is much more common. If this is the case you really do need to go to the hospital (you will know due to excessive diarrhea which is a little whitish like milky white as if rice has been rinsed).

Thus I hope you went and spoke to your physician just to make sure you have all necessary vaccines (routine Hep A, B, Typhoid, Rabies and due to DR having malaria it might be a good idea to get chemoprophylaxis; very low rate of infection at least).

Good luck and safe journey.

Cheers,

D

 

[nthn]

Thanks guys. It will be a great experience, but don't worry, I've been informed of all the diseases known to that island and have had all the updated immunizations. I just finished the oral typhoid pill a few days ago. I will be in good hands. The LDS church has very good doctors down there, who know the ins-and-outs of all the symptoms.
Thanks for the concerns and motivations!