18 days to go!

Well, with 18 days to go I suppose its time I get used to this blogging thing.

So, here's the basics:
I am going to Kenya with IVHQ, a New Zealand-based organization that partners with organizations of local communities in countries where volunteers are needed. I requested to be placed in Mombasa, a city on the coast, so hopefully that will go as planned. My flight leaves on a Wednesday, early in the morning. I have a layover in Minneapolis, and another layover in Amsterdam. I should get to Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, by Thursday night. I will spend Thursday to Monday in Nairobi. Honestly, I think that will be the worst part of this whole trip: getting to Kenya that night and going to a stranger's house to stay the night, plus I'll be overtired and jet-lagged. But, I think by the next morning, in the light of day, I'll be so excited to be there and I'll have adjusted a little better with a night's sleep. After spending the weekend in Nairobi and having my orientation on Monday, I will hopefully head for Mombasa. I will probably take a bus, maybe a plane, I'll figure that out once I get there. The orphanage that I will be placed at will also be figured out during the orientation in Nairobi.

Anyway, a lot of people ask me if I'm scared to go. I wouldn't say scared is the right word. I'm a bit anxious, maybe. I have wanted to go to Africa for as long as I remember. I have wanted to go for so long, and its really important to me. I think that's why I wanted to go alone (not that anyone besides my mom would come anyway lol). I feel like I need to do it alone. I will make more friends by going alone, I think I'll learn a lot about myself, and I think it will help me grow as a person. Violence is not something I'm really worried about because Kenya is a relatively stable country. Tourism is a pretty common there, which makes me feel a little more comfortable. Really the only things I worry about are theft (pickpocketing is pretty common) and maybe what I will eat for 2 months. But, that being said, I've been stolen from in Canada so it seems stupid to let that stop me from going. As for food, I will pack as many granola bars and cup of soups that I can, and try and make due. It'll be good for me to eat something other than french fries and spaghetti.

So even though I don't know which orphanage I will be placed at, I do know that I am bringing as many things for the children as I can. I only have 1 suitcase for stuff for the kids. I need one for my stuff, and a carry-on with some of my clothes incase they lose my luggage. Anyway, everyone is welcome to send some stuff for the kids if they'd like. Keep in mind that I only have 1 suitcase for the kids, and it's already half full with medical supplies, stickers, puzzles, books, a soccer ball, colouring books, and school supplies. I hope to also pack some face paint for the kids, some candy and maybe some more school supplies. Orphanages in Kenya care for anywhere from 80 to 300 kids, so things you send should be things that everyone can use. Also, there is a weight restriction, so I need to try and find light things. Let me know if you want to send something along.

Well, I can't think of anything else to add other then I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!! I will try and update this blog whenever I can while I'm on my trip. There are internet cafe's in the city, Mombasa (to clarify for people who were picturing me on a laptop in the middle of a Masai village).