So, here I am. Sat on a long haul flight from Zurich to Nairobi and marvelling at how fast the last 6 weeks have flown past. It was always going to be a tight schedule, and I did not fail to follow my usual habit of trying to cram even more into already compressed deadlines. Holidays in Ireland. Weekends away with friends. New friends to stay. Old friends to stay. Not to mention the minor task of getting my younger son on a plane to USA for 2 months, hopefully to return with pilot’s licence in hand.
Still, here I am. Backpack fully loaded. Sleeping bag & roll mat at the ready. Actually, having filled my backpack with enough toiletries, mossie spray, tablets, ointments, potions and pills to address every eventuality there was no room left in it for my clothes. At least I won’t have worry about which outfit I’m going to wear. That’s one less thing to worry about. That should keep the worry list down to about 4 sides of A4, in small writing.
Last year, my main worry was how I’d get on with others on the bus. Oh, and toilets. Or lack of them. There were only a few countries where I felt I was diving into the unknown and by the time we got there, we had the security of facing it together after a ‘warm-up’ through Europe.
AFRICA – I only know her through other people’s experiences. I want to go there open and without prejudice, ready to appreciate every experience I have, good or bad. But everyone has an opinion, whether they’ve been there or not. Most of my friends and family are convinced I’ve gone completely mad. Like throwing myself off a cliff. They were indulgent of my last little escapade but somehow this is different. Selfish even. Like suicide.
This time, I won’t have a ‘plush’ air-conditioned coach isolating me from the local climate and people. No hotels (?!) with crisp sheets, and fluffy towels (ok, so I exaggerate, there were only few hotels with crisp sheets & fluffy towels last time). This time I’m travelling by open sided truck and camping (definitely not glamping).
It can’t be that bad. Thank goodness for my training in Le Mans last year. I can’t believe it is only 12 months ago.
But in France, you don’t share the campsite with hippos, lions, elephants and hyenas, and don’t even think about the creepy crawlies, snakes and anything else that can bite, nip or sting.
The first experience will be Nairobi, also known as Nairobbery. I hope not........
Still, here I am. Backpack fully loaded. Sleeping bag & roll mat at the ready. Actually, having filled my backpack with enough toiletries, mossie spray, tablets, ointments, potions and pills to address every eventuality there was no room left in it for my clothes. At least I won’t have worry about which outfit I’m going to wear. That’s one less thing to worry about. That should keep the worry list down to about 4 sides of A4, in small writing.
Last year, my main worry was how I’d get on with others on the bus. Oh, and toilets. Or lack of them. There were only a few countries where I felt I was diving into the unknown and by the time we got there, we had the security of facing it together after a ‘warm-up’ through Europe.
AFRICA – I only know her through other people’s experiences. I want to go there open and without prejudice, ready to appreciate every experience I have, good or bad. But everyone has an opinion, whether they’ve been there or not. Most of my friends and family are convinced I’ve gone completely mad. Like throwing myself off a cliff. They were indulgent of my last little escapade but somehow this is different. Selfish even. Like suicide.
This time, I won’t have a ‘plush’ air-conditioned coach isolating me from the local climate and people. No hotels (?!) with crisp sheets, and fluffy towels (ok, so I exaggerate, there were only few hotels with crisp sheets & fluffy towels last time). This time I’m travelling by open sided truck and camping (definitely not glamping).
It can’t be that bad. Thank goodness for my training in Le Mans last year. I can’t believe it is only 12 months ago.
But in France, you don’t share the campsite with hippos, lions, elephants and hyenas, and don’t even think about the creepy crawlies, snakes and anything else that can bite, nip or sting.
The first experience will be Nairobi, also known as Nairobbery. I hope not........
RSS Feed
