Let's Jump the Gun

I have been holding off on the big announcement—mostly because this decision has triggered a million other more pressing things to do with my time, and also because the “plan” is not yet finalized. So there’s really no reason in announcing something that isn’t quite ready yet, is there? However, it is desperately time for a blog update (I’ve been a very bad blogger, which I will make up for soon, I promise), so I suppose I should finally break the news: I just bought a plane ticket to Africa!

Phew. That wasn’t so bad. Just open my mouth and the words come out. I’m going to Africa. I am going to Africa. I am going to go to Africa.

WHOLY SHIT, I’m GOING TO AFRICA!!!!!!!

It is all starting again--all the things that were missing when I booked my trip to Korea for the third time last May:

The anticipation. Waiting, just waiting for it all to happen. The stress. OMG there so many things to do before I leave! Buy a sleeping bag, find insect repellent, purchase travel insurance, update the vaccinations (all might be a little difficult to do while I’m in KOREA)... The fear. Is it safe? Will I get Malaria and die? Will I hate it? The unknowns. oh God, the unknowns. The research. What will it be like? How much will it cost? When should I go? And, most of all, WHICH FREAKING TOUR SHOULD I PICK!!!! (As usual, I’m driving myself MADDDDD with decisions). And last, but not least, the excitement! THE excitement. the EXCITEment. the exciteMENT. When does that kick in???

As magical as this idea once sounded in my head, it now stirs up a whole mix of emotions. I think that, in the name of my Mr. Clark-inspired classroom dance, it might be time to “Ahhhh, FREAK OUT!!!”

In dealing with the planning process, I’m finding it hard to get the kind of support I’m looking for:

My students ask when I’m going back to the states, and I tell them October. When they ask what I’m going to do for the month in between, their eyes bulge, blink two times, and then say, “WHAT???”

One has responded, “Take me!”

One responded, “WHY? I don’t want to go there. I only want to go to good country. You’ll get a disease.”

My mother asks me if I’ve ever traveled to a developing country before, you know, a really, really poor place. She worries I think it’ll be like backpacking Europe. I know it won’t be like Europe. I suppose that’s part of the allure.

I know it won’t be like Europe. It won’t be like Australia. It won’t be like Asia. Africa is it’s gonna be a whole different ballgame, and I think I’m ready for it.

Of course, it’s nerve-wracking and exciting at the same time, to travel to a place so few people in my personal network have BEEN to, let alone even THINK of going to before. Everytime I ask a friend about a decision, they have a difficult time helping me because they know so little about it.

So, yeah, that can be a little challenging. But, I know there’s a traveler circuit throughout Africa, in parts. Kenya and Tanzania both appear live and well on the traveler circuit, and there's a string of tour companies touring the place. The thing is, not a lot of Americans go to Africa. Maybe this reflects the poor political ties / the less desirable traveling and living conditions / fear / or perhaps just a general lack of interest, but not a lot of Americans go to Africa. There are more British and Australians going to Africa.

That being said, it would be cool to know know who these people are who are going to Africa! The only person I know who has ever done what I'm about to do, the overland tour, is my dear friend Jayne T. She did it about 10 years ago when she was about my age. When I visited her in England last year, I took a long look through her Africa photo album and decided maybe it was possible for me to do it to...

And now, here I am, one click away from signing up for my tour!

Anyways, I’d love to write more, but I should really get back to researching more details about choosing the right safari I want to book (yes, I know there’s not one “right” choice. That’s why it’s so hard!)

Wish me luck.
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Departing August 27th. Seoul to Hong Kong. Arriving in Nairobi September 2nd.