Packed!!

Got it all in 3 bags... At last! I'm sure I will have one small bag for electronics and meds.

T - 7 Days: Anxiety

I think I've reached the point now where I'm just anxious.... anxious to start new job on Monday, anxious to leave for Africa.

I'm mostly packed and ready to go (yay!), but now I'm at the point where I need to get everything in my bags, signed off, finalized so that I can run home and grab them 7 days from now and get on that first plane. 

I exchanged a few emails yesterday with someone from Team Fox last year, who also has PD. He said that Kili will change my life. I mentioned this to a friend, and he asked me if that was something I am looking for. I had to pause and think about that.

Yes, I guess I do expect it to change my life. How? That's the question that is harder to answer.

I want to prove to myself that I can do this. I want to prove to *others* that I can do this. I want to see Africa, by myself, take beautiful photos and create memories that will last a life time. This is a physical challenge for me, for sure (I think it would be for anyone). It's an emotional challenge (traveling half way across the globe by myself and participating in an intense athletic event as the only solo female and on my own!), and it's a psychological one - I'm 40 yrs old, I've never been in great shape, and I'm facing a debilitating disease. I will never be a marathon runner -- but I will not let PD stop me from doing the things that I love -- and even more importantly, the things that I've always dreamt about. I have a bucket list, and I fully intend to keep working on it!

This is definitely the biggest adventure of my life. And I'm so glad I have a wonderful spouse and dozens of friends pulling for me!

T - 8 Days: Temperature Regulation

I don't tend to wear a lot of layers when I dress, and I know that this is key to being comfortable (and warm enough) on a trip like this. I have acquired the appropriate layers and I should be fine.

Except that two things really affect my ability to regulate my body temperature: menopause and Parkinson's Disease. For example, it snowed 4" last night, and I am running around in a t-shirt and plenty warm enough.  It's 27 degrees here in Ohio this morning, and is supposed to be high of 0 by the end of the week. It's 91 in Tanzania (at the base of Kili), but will be 10 degrees-ish + windchill at the top.

Because of layers, and hiking, I expect I will be FULLY warm enough -- and that I'll be peeling layers off even on summit day.

I'm excited to wear cute, fun sun dresses in Arusha. I'm not big on selfies, but since I'm traveling solo... there may be many!

Trying to figure out based on itinerary if I can add a half-day safari to my trip. I feel like it's a must. 

Testing Tablet

I will be using a cheap Samsung tablet while in Africa. I figure the $49 tablet is a better risk than taking my more expensive ipad.

So this is a test. I am also going to be using it to save posts while en route.

8 days and a few minutes..... wow. Time has flown by.

Castile soap

When did castile soap become a rare item?

I've had a hard time finding it, even on Amazon, in less than a 32oz jug. Really, I just want the 2oz travel size!

Packing Progress, in Photos

So this morning, I dragged everything out and tried repacking. Made some progress, but still not completely there. So here's the progress, in pictures.

Where we started:

The results:

I think... maybe... it's doable to get everything in these 3 bags!

Happy New Year! And, in the home stretch

Yesterday turned out to be a fantastic day for fundraising, being the last day of 2013. Quite a few people raced to get in a last minute donation for a '13 IRS write-off. Yay!

Because of my work schedule, I have to have everything packed up by the 5th, and ready to go. Today, or at the very latest the next day, I need to dump my bags and re-organize my packing. I cannot tell you how many videos I've watched about getting all my gear to fit into my backpack and duffel (35L and 40L respectively). It fits, I think, except for the fact that I have no idea where to stick this enormous 0 degree sleeping bag. My +35 degree sleeping bag is sooooo much smaller. I liken it to a complicated version of Tetris.

I think I may have enough extra time at the end of the trip to add a half day safari. It's just a matter of whether I can find one at the time that I need it. This is the trip of a lifetime, and I'm going to make the most of it!

This is the first time I've ever booked a flight that said "this flight arrives two days later".

It's real, it's happening, I'm going to Africa!