Visa... check.
Malaria medicine... check.
Hostel reservations... check.
Donations for Fr. Kamanzi... check.
Impressively stuffed back pack... check.
Travel blog... check.
A bazillion other things... check.
Here we are, friends. Tomorrow is the big day. I can't believe it's actually here! Dave and I bought our tickets way back in December, and we started planning on buying them way back in October. I have been saying I was going to go to Africa since February of 2008, when Fr. Kamanzi first returned to Nairobi. I will admit to you that there is a certain amount of pride in the fact that this trip is actually happening. How often have I laid out extravagant plans for thrilling travel that never quite come to fruition? Answer: every flipping day.
I have put more planning and preparation into this trip than I have for any trip I've taken before. It's been an interesting journey, too, just getting to this point. Here are some fun facts:
*Did you know that Mefloquine, commonly prescribed to protect against malaria, can give you terribly vivid nightmares? I have also decided that it is at least partly responsible for some of the anxiety I've had in the past couple of days (normally, this breed of anxiety is brought on by caffeine, and I know I didn't have any of that!).
*I was stung by a bee tonight. I have determined that to be a good omen for safe travels.
*I have everything I am taking for the full 23 days in one glorious pack (thanks, Cass-monster! Great Christmas gift!). I come from a long line of packers, you know.
I have no idea how often I will be able to blog while I'm abroad, but I promise to journal fastidiously, so that I can bombard you with updates whenever I get a chance to type them up and post them. I'll do my best to make it interesting!Now, if you'll excuse me, I am going to try to achieve that fine balance of "enough-sleep-to-make-up-for-all-the-hours-I've-been-losing-lately-and-function-like-a-human" and "not-so-much-sleep-that-I-can't-fall-asleep-on-my-overnight-flight-to-Amsterdam-tomorrow." Wish me luck!
Peace and all good!
Yay packers!
ReplyDeleteI heartily support the move to recognize a bee
sting as a good omen of safe travels. Funny my father and your brother were both stung while shaking hands at the graduation party. Saddly I haven't been stung in years.
Good Luck!
Have Fun!!!
As Pop-pop (Uncle Joe) would say, write if you get work.
Hey! I'm finally catching up on your blog--which is good, because now I know for sure you're alive and well and living in...Amsterdam? Or maybe the air, by now. Also, I'm glad the backpack's working out! I actually meant to ask you what luggage you were using. (This is why I should read your blog.)
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