Lake Manyara, Tanzania

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Goodbye Totem!

I had no idea it was so easy to accumulate so much junk. Seriously. It's just kind of pathetic.


Tomorrow is my final exam of first year; I really had no idea eight months could go by so fast. Africa was only a hopeful idea not too long ago, and now it's only 10 days away. This is where I'm starting to get nervous.. There has been so much going on in the last few weeks that my trip has been the last thing on my mind. I feel like leaving for four months should have taken at least a little more preparation and thought. The only somewhat comforting thought about leaving is that I know my mommy will fix anything I've messed up, she always manages to. Weird how mom's just know, hey?

Found out that I won't actually be living in the orphanage while I'm in Arusha; I'll actually be in a base camp house with other volunteers. At first this was a little disappointing because I really wanted the full experience, but then I realized that I am there for four months. A little bit of comfort and a little bit of english will be nice I'm thinking.

The goodbyes started today, to my Loran lover Erica, I will miss you this summer! And to the rest of the UBC Loranians you really missed out on cheesecake on Friday. I can't wait to hear about everyone's summers and hopefully will see you in August at the retreat.

I'm getting anxious about the rest of my goodbye's, it is starting to become real that things will never again be exactly the way they are now. I will miss my little Totem jail cell.. I really will.

I guess life would just be boring if things didn't change.

Okanagan in 2 days, then this journey really begins... As of now all my flights are in the clear. Pinky's crossed no more volcanoes erupt!

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

The Countdown(s) Is/Are On!

Jambo! (my knowledge of Swahili up to this point)

Vaccinations - check
Malaria medication with a possible side effect of severe depression - check
Large and awkward backpack, already filled - check
Worlds largest first aid kit - check
Place ticket and medical insurance - check
Lonely Planet Guide to Tanzania and Swahili phrase book - check


I really shouldn't be doing this yet, the whole start my blog thing. Not with exams so close. But this is all I can think about. Africa. I've only been dreaming about this for 8 years now, I'm about to go through the roof. Excited doesn't begin to explain how I'm feeling. The most amazing thing is after I told my dad I'd meet a nice African man and never come home again, my family has decided to join me/check up on me and my sanity sometime in July!

14 days until I'm home from school.
22 until I'm on the plane heading to Mt Kilimanjaro Airport.
102 nights in Tanzania is just around the corner.