Almost Ready to Leave

My suitcase is packed, and it's under the maximum weight allowed by the airline. I was worried about it being too heavy, even though I tried to pack lightly. There's a lot of "supplies" that I have to take with me, like medicines, preventatives, toiletries, toilet paper, etc. I still haven't completely finished packing, but all I lack are shoes and socks at this point. I've prepared my CDC-owned laptop, set up my email at work and home to forward to my new hotmail account, and I've left a list of things for Richard while I'm gone (he asked for the list).

I'm a bit nervous but excited at the same time. From everything I can tell, it is an interesting time in Zimbabwe. 75% unemployment, 2.3 million rural citizens on the verge of starvation according to the UN, and inflation at 600%. The economy is collapsing at such a rate that I will have to operate on a cash-only basis for two months! That will be strange, but I'll manage. My housing has been set up by Casey, the lady I'm filling in for during the next two months. A driver is picking me up at the airport and taking me to Casey who will take over from there.

I'm glad we planned for a week overlap between her arrival and my departure. It will also be good to have her there on the other end too before I leave. Being away from the American political scene will be strange for me, but it will be interesting to see the perspective of others who are not in this country. Hopefully it will be a smooth trip :)

Tonight, Richard and I have a musical to go to. I had gotten tickets to see the King and I before I knew about this trip. I had forgotten about it until the tickets arrived in my interoffice mail yesterday. It will be good to get away from the distractions of leaving. Still, it feels like I may not be ready. Not sure why. Paranoia of leaving the USA for a 3rd world country, I suppose :)

I bet the people here at work think I'm precious with the way I'm nervous and giddy at the same time. These people are used to just going from here to there without batting an eye. Couple of weeks in Togo, Nigeria, Niger, Ethiopia, a month in India or Nepal...all the same to my seasoned colleagues. I'll be fine, but it's weird to think that there won't be many of the comforts I'm used to, and if I forget something, too bad. I will just have to live without in that case. Still, I think I remembered everything, but how can you be absolutely sure? Even with a list, you can never be totally sure.

Work is slow today, which I suppose is expected when you're about to jet off the next day. I will try to be faithful with this journal as a recording of my trip and experiences, especially since I've told all my friends about it :) More later!