{preparing for the trip}

june 4-6, 2012

most of the past 3 days have been spent running last minute errands, doing laundry, and mentally preparing myself for the trip.  i've also been eating salad and broccoli for just about every meal as i know i will be seriously missing it for the next 2 months.  if only i could trade salad for malaria pills (the medicine is already making me sick to my stomach and giving me crazy dreams).  

as i'm packing for activities ranging from a night at the embassy (more on that later) to climbing mt. kiliminjaro, and for temperatures ranging from below 0 to 85 degrees (or higher), deciding what to bring has been a bit of a challenge.  but, i've got everything packed, and i'm pleased to admit that almost EVERYTHING fits into my pack.  job well done, meg.  

 

 i promise i am not taking a lot of stuff.  my day pack (the bag on the left), is practically empty and only has a towel and the 18 luna bars i'm taking.  and the bag on the right just has the essentials - book, swahili lessons, and passport.  

and because my mom is afraid i'm going to freeze to death climbing the mountain (it gets below 0 up there), i tried on almost all of the layers i'm going to be wearing.  5 layers on the top, 3 layers on the bottom, and i couldn't even bear to put on the rest of my stuff because i practically overheated.  let's hope i feel that warm 19,000 feet up.    

 

i've been planning this trip for months and talking about it for longer, so i think i am FINALLY ready to go.  bring it on, africa!