Independent or Alone???

Hello again. Bear in mind that this post was written 4 days ago. I am just copying it word for word.

As most of you know, I have had my sights fixed on Africa for many years now, dating back all the way back to my 2nd grade geography lesson: "This is Africa." I liked the shape.

Well, considering this has been a dream ten years in the making, one would have expected more excitement, more expectations, more gut-wrenching energy. But no, this summer was much like any other. Even in these last 2 weeks, when I have spent many hours everyday preparing, I was strangely calm. Disturbingly so. I chalk this up to the fact that I just can't fathom that it's happening. That, and that my whole world is about to turn upside down and I don't know what to expect.

Well, it still hasn't "hit" me that I am going to AFRICA. There have been moments where the intensity of this coming experience washed over me, but they quickly subside to be replaced by a collected demeanor. My travel-wise friends have assured me that I will feel "it," that all-consuming passion and excitement for travel, until I arrive.

I was still calm and collected when my dad took me to the airport. It wasn't until he said his goodbyes that the magnitude of what I had taken on hit me. He was leaving me ALONE to travel the world. I am going to navigate many foreign cities on my own, where English is not the primary language. Oh, crap. Sure I did it with GWU and DC, but there I didn't have the language barrier and, if something went wrong, I could always fly home for a weekend.

Africa is far away. And things will go wrong. And there will be no comforting antidote of thinking I can fly home. I'm trapped. In the developing world. With limited communication to home. With no understanding of the local people, their language, or their culture.

This semester will be a challenge. I will certainly learn my own mettle.

Lots of love,
Nancy