(That means Hello in Swahili!)
In six short months we will be on our way... to the other side of the world. Tanzania. Wow. I've never been to the other side of the world... or even the other side of this country. But we are going... and the excitement is building day by day!
Way back in September it seemed like this trip was forever away, but the months have fallen away and we are down to six months, which will likely fly by. Especially when there are lists of things to do before you go. Our passports are in process (I cannot believe I am going to have a passport!)... but there are shots to schedule, Visas to apply for, nevermind packing... and adjusting to the idea of no hairdryer! And although our travel bags have not yet arrived, my mom was kind enough to share one of hers... and I plunked some of our Christmas gifts in. Like flashlights, TSA locks and money belts. For a not-so-organized girl like me, it is good to have a place to stash stuff as we think of it. I added animal check-lists yesterday!
But hitting the six month mark brings up some serious things to think about, too... like practicing keeping our hands away from our face and out of our mouths...
and taking showers with our eyes and mouths totally closed. My kids think goggles will work, and after trying to shower with my eyes closed I am leaning towards trying it!
I have pulled out the travel guide... and have been reading some interesting fashion tips...
like, don't bring dark blue or black clothes because that might attract tsetse flies (okay, no blue jeans!) and the roads are bumpy, so women should wear brassieres (ummm, was there even a question about that?) and... at the tented camps there is electricity while the generators are running, but while the current is usually adequate to run an electric razor, it will not support a hairdryer. Maybe a curling iron? I'm okay. I'll make it. But I might be wearing a hat in every picture!
We are thinking about batteries and camera cards and seeing animals in the wild. We are also thinking about what we can bring to share, like legos and origami paper... but that is a story for a different day.
Six months. The trip of a lifetime. Pinch me...
Want to hear the story from the beginning?
Africa, part 1
Africa, part 2
Africa, part 3
Africa, part 4
Africa, part 5
15 comments :
Just six months to go? Wow! The time is going to fly by! Good idea to go ahead and put things in the bag as you think of them.
One of my friends is a physician at Duke who does a lot--a LOT--of work in Tanzania. It always amazes me that he flies off to Africa often. I've traveled a good bit, but Africa sounds so far away! So exciting!
Hope you're having a great week. :)
Hats, Scarves and goggles. Maybe gloves for the nail biter?
It is going to be quite the adventure...I am just as excited about YOU going as if I were going too!!
I am getting closer too...I was living this adventure THROUGH you THROUGH your mom...now I am one step closer. I can practically hear the herd galloping by me...
6 months will fly by and you will soon be on your way. That's a lot of info to take in. You will get all your ducks in a row, I'm sure!!! I am so excited for your family. A trip that will undoubtedly change your lives forever!!!
This is VERY exciting!!! I can't believe it is only six months away! How exciting~
I have to say, a trip like this has always been a dream for me. I can't wait to hear the rest of the plans!
Oh I'm just so excited for you!!! It's going to be such a fabulous trip!
This is so exciting! Time will fly, and before you know it, you'll be in Africa! :) I can't wait for you!
6 months will just fly by! What a trip of a lifetime that you are taking!! I'm so envious - I can only imagine the type of photo opportunities you are going to get! Hug an elephant for me! ONe of my favorite creatures...
:-)
I think the goggles will totally work.
Very exciting!
Wow!!! I must catch up on all of your great post...I have some reading to do my friend~
How wonderful for you all!
WOW! WOW! WOW!! So excited for you.
Not so much for the tsese flies and mandatory brazierres, but you know... the other stuff!! Sounds amazing!
How exciting! You're going to love it. My daughter spent three weeks in Botswana the summer of her senior year with Global Expeditions/Teen Mania. It changed her life. We still love to sit and listen to her tell stories of times there and of the people she was able to share Christ with.
I am SO so SO excited for you. Good thing you told me about the bra because I totally would have left mine at home if I was heading to Africa... or NOT : )
hello dear! wow six months!?!? it will fly by--so very, very exciting! how wonderful it will be! I can't wait to hear about more of your plans!
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