Countdown

Only 48 days to go!!!
That's nearly nothing isn't it?
La la lalalalalalaaaaa =D

Vaccine - check!

Got the ball rolling, made a few appointments with my doctor for all the vaccines I need before departure.
Last week I had a rabies shot, and I'm happy to announce that no frothy saliva occurred, and I do hope that's a good sign.
Yesterday it was time for typhoid and tetanus, not that great as I have big red swellings on my both arms...
Next week it's time for polio and hepatitis A & B. At least the hepatitis, rabies and typhoid are life long protection, so they are ticked off for good. I must admit it is nice to see my yellow book being filled up line by line with "protection".

No need to pick up the malaria tablets just yet, as I only need to start taking them the day before departure.

Emailed Berit 2 weeks ago, but still no news. Am not worried just yet, but have a feeling I will be soon. =/
I have realised that I actually do have quite many questions to ask her. - Practical as well as emotional.
What should I bring for the girls? Anything they need, that I can contribute with?
What should I bring for myself? Or not bring...
Are there other volunteers at the same time, or is it only me? Bus, hotel, taxi et.c....

Well well, I am sure it will be fine in the end.

In the middle of all this I have stumbled across a what I would refer to as a luxury problem; making the right choice for hotel on Zanzibar.
People who know me, also know how indecisive I can be at times, and how frustrating that can be.
Found something that felt like the perfect hotel, on the beach, with white sand and turquoise water outside the window. - Ah, such a dream!
Then I was told the staff is unfriendly and hotel is generally over rated, was recommended another one, but not at the same location, and now I just do not know....

Need to get my neck around it, tomorrow must be decision time! GO FOR IT as one of my friends would say!

Time flies (too fast!)

My oh my....

Not quite sure how it happened, but its already July 19th.

Thinking I had loads and loads of time, I suddenly realised that I don't. - PANIC!


So much to do, in so little time.


Have booked appointments for my vaccinations and a general check up, but the most important is yet to be arranged. The visa/work permit!

Need to email Berit and the team in Ilula to obtain my invitation. And also to confirm my arrival times back to them.

I am so relieved that Tulia will take care of booking a taxi and a hotel for my arrival to DAR, and the bus ticket to Ilula.


I don't have enough words to describe my excitement over my trip! I walk around with a silly smile on my face, wanting to jump up and down and scream IIIIIIIK!!! :)

But....
Getting closer to departure I also have second thoughts; am I doing the right thing, or have I simply lost my mind? Can I really contribute to anything over there? What will it really be like, have I bitten off more than I can chew?
I know these girls doesn't have an easy life, and will I be able to help them, and cope with it?

Sure, there's only one way to find out, and that's exactly what I will do. Go there and find out!

I am embarking on a journey into something unknown, although it feels like I'm going home.
Africa is a continent I have fallen in love with, and going back to explore the eastern part is truly like going back home......

It's all booked!

Ok, not all of it, but at least all the logistics are ironed out. - Finally!

Am slowly becoming a sort of "google-queen", due to all research in regards to flights, routes, value for money and so on....
I realised that there are few, and costly options from Brussels. Ranging from 995€ to 1700€, and including 2-3 stopovers.
However, I was intrigued, but equally frightened by the Ethiopian Airline option. 375€ : BRU-London-Addis Abbeba-Nairobi-Dar Es Salaam, with an overnight in Addis. Great if you want to play the"stamp my passport in 5 countries" game, but otherwise, maybe not...

Flights from London are more frequent (read less expensive), and ranged from 450€ to 1900 €, and my choice fell on the Emirates option, one stop in Dubai, and thats it!

So, here are my logistic arrangements:
16/09 Train Brussels - London
16/09 Flight to Dar Es Salaam via Dubai
17/09 Arrival Dar -> Taxi to hotel

18/09 Bus to Ilula At some point coming back to Dar, and get over to Zanzibar.
23/10 Flight to London via Dubai
24/10 Arrival London
24/10 Train London Brussels

Next mission is to look over vaccinations, and arrange for work permit =D