not your usual camping

I have been camping only once in my life. It was fun but its not an experience Ive been raised with; however, I believe I am up for the challenge. Today we started my preparations which included buying a real camping backpack (since i dont think my Mizuno vb bag will be up to the task) as well as the standard towels/headlamp/raincoat/boots. Expensive, but well worth it. Im really quite excited about my backpack as I plan on using it for a backpacking trip through Europe as well.

Sleeping aside, I am most intrigued by the food we will eat. We will have two cooks going with us and we won't have to worry about individually filtering our water. This is reassuring considering I took Human Parasitology last semester so I know all about the not so lovely little critters that often live in water such as Naegleria and Giardia. Although I am not going to lie, I would kill to say I went sailing on a lake in Africa. We have a few weeks of free travel available for us after the program ends, so who knows, maybe I will get that chance!!

more later...

meet the team

Today we had our first informational meeting and we got to meet the team. It sounds like it will be quite an adventure.

setting the scene

Spring 2010 was the most difficult semester I have ever encountered. I suppose you could term it a "mini mid-life crisis". Everything as I knew was turned upside down. Doors were closed.
Doors were opened.
One of these doors has opened to a life experience few individuals will ever have the opportunity to experience...in spring 2011, I am going to Africa for a study abroad.

"I'm going to Africa". It feels so surreal to actually say it. Alas it is true. I was formally accepted today and I am so excited for this phenomenal opportunity. As a result I have decided to attempt to keep a blog documenting my experience. We'll see how it turns out.

Here is a link to the official information page which explains the entire project: Spring 2011 Field Program