Yes, I'm Ready.

It has been quite a while since my last blog. I started writing this back in January, nine months before my departure date and didn't want to burn myself out talking about Africa. Also, quite frankly, there were no major moves towards my trip in the past three months. That has changed in the past few weeks. This Friday, July 1st will mark exactly two months until I leave on September 1st. Suddenly, things have become very real and no longer feel like a fairy tale I am telling about this far away mountain.

Lately, I have become a research machine. Topics I have become proficient in are: the diseases and suggested vaccinations for east Africa, gortex and polypropylene clothing, side effects of altitude sickness medication and the best ways to prevent and combat blisters. I go to the health department next week. Initially, I wanted the minimum amount of vaccinations, only those absolutely required. Then I read the common viruses of that region and my list grew. I have also learned that the most effective tool to cope with the high altitude is controlled breathing, so despite always feeling that yoga is boring it is going to be added into my life until I leave.

The most exciting thing that has happened in the past few weeks just happened today. I received an e-mail from the tour group sharing who else will be in my group. There are only four of us, A British couple in their 30's and an American active outdoors woman in her 60's. I got chills when I read it, I had this strange overwhelming feeling like I was a orphan child who just found out about her adoptive family. What do they look like? Will they like me? These strangers are going to be my family. I am going to need them, they are going to see me at my worst and we will never forget each other.

I will be blogging frequently over the next NINE weeks. Today this song has been stuck in my head, I relate it to how I feel about the journey ahead of me. I am inexperienced but open to learning all I need to know.  I am finally genuinely excited...and Yes, I Am Ready.