"I want to go to a beautiful foreign country and eat lots and lots of fruit." ~Lindsay Michelle WrennAs hectic as it has been, this last week has flown by. I have been frantically running around trying to make sure that I am adequately prepared for my trip. The weekend was spent in Chapel Hill with some amazing people that I am going to miss dearly. I love you guys more than you will ever know...thanks for making my last weekend in the states one to remember ;).
Tonight is the last night I will sleep in my lovely bed, and tomorrow morning, I will be commencing my two day journey to Madagascar (that is, after I take an extremely LONG hot shower and blow dry my hair for the last time). I am experiencing so many emotions right now. I look forward to boarding the plane in RDU. I can't wait to meet all of my amazing fellow voyagers at the airport in Washington, DC (I already have lunch plans with a young chap named Micheal!), I am a little apprehensive about my french language skills and how I will measure up when I get thrown into a Malagasy household. I am quite sad to leave my family and friends for 3 and a half months. I am nervous. I am scared. I am elated. I am ecstatic.
I did not realize exactly how long I would be in the air. So I decided, in the midst of my frantic last minute packing, I would determine the length of my four flights from RDU to Fort Dauphin, Madagascar. And this is what I found:
1. I will be "in the air" for a total of 23 hours and 53 minutes...this is a mere 7 minutes short of one whole day (the flight from Paris to Madagascar being 12 hours and 30 minutes...holy crap).So, bags have been packed, goodbyes have been said, electronics have been charged, the water filter has been cleaned, and my mosquito net has been treated with Permethrin. I have attached a picture of my bags and all other items for your viewing pleasure:
2. I will be sitting in some sort of airport for approximately 18 hours in layover time (which has been devoted to reading a 400 page book).
3 And thanks to my lovely friend, Roman, I am aware that I should not sit in my seat for the entire 12 hour flight...
Yes, all of that is for three months. Two bags. I think I packed more to go to the beach for two weeks one summer (clothes and accessories that is). This trip has really made me limit myself to necessary items only...a hard task for a girl who likes to wear makeup, jewelry, blow dry/straighten her hair, and have her choice of shoes from a large selection of footwear (all of which are being taken care of by a good friend...good shoes should not be left alone for that amount of time ;). Unfortunately, for the next three months, I will be limited to a pair of hiking shoes and chacos. *humbling sigh*
As of last Friday, I have decided not to take along my laptop. I feel like this is the best decision for many reasons. But, not to fear! I will continue to post random thoughts, awkward moments, and exciting experiences in my blog at least once every week. Also, I plan on posting pictures through facebook whenever possible. And, I would like to make a correction to a previous post. I AM taking along my ipod. I have decided that this is a necessary item to ensure that I will keep my sanity.
Last night, I got the group list for all of the people going on the trip--a total of 16 students from across the country!!! All of us are coming from 13 different states--Illinois, Colorado, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Virgina, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, California, New York, Georgia, Texas, Kentucky, and of course North Carolina--and one girl from Canada! Girl to guy ratio (judging by the list of names) is 13:3. Go figure ;).
As I am sure I have told you over the past week, I love you all. Each and every one of you holds a special place in my heart, and I will be thinking about you throughout my travels.
With all of that being said, there is not much left. Now all I have to do is close my eyes and jump.
Until Madagascar,
erin elizabeth
PS: Allegedly, there is insanely amazing pineapple currently growing on the island of Madagascar. I plan on eating most of it while I am there. :)
7 comments:
I think I realized RIGHT NOW that you are in fact leaving for the next 3 months...and I'm sad! But also so very excited for you! I'm glad to hear you are taking your iPod...sanity is always good. I just want you to know that I will miss you dearly and I love you to the moon and back. Or, I guess more appropriately, to Madagascar and back! You will do great things over there and I can't wait to hear about it!
xoxo
Erin!! I can't believe you are leaving tomorrow! I am so excited for you - and I know that you are going to have an amazing time! I cant wait to read about all of your adventures! Have fun and be safe!
I LOVE YOU!! :D
I am so excited for you and so sad that you're leaving - all at the same time! I will miss you like crazy! I'm also really proud of you for taking this leap of faith! I love you and wish you the best of luck! Can't wait to hear about your adventures! Praying for you...
Love, Laura!
Oh my gosh Erin. I admire you so much! I hope you have the time of your life there and push yourself to do things you wouldn't ordinarily do. I'm so sad you're leaving, but also really excited for you.
In true "motherly" fashion, one more thing: please be safe.
I love you!!
it is both scary and exciting and i hope for you a wonderful experience. it has been truly humbling for me to randomly read the notes the younger generation in this family have posted on facebook.... you all are such an inspiration to your older family. know that we keep you in our heart and wish for you the best experience possible. can't wait to experience Madagascar vicariously ! enjoy and "remember who you are" ly,
I can't believe you are already on the road. Hope you have a save trip and a wonderful experience. Love you.
Mark
you go girl! Mac and I are so proud of you and can't wait to hear about your adventure.
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