Africa Here I Come

I put my deposit down on my next Earthwatch expedition: I am going to spend 2 weeks in the Samburu region of Kenya studying Medicinal Plants!

I’m so excited!

They don’t have any actual dates yet. I put my deposit down early to lock in at the 2008 prices, since they most likely will be raised for 2009. They won’t know when, or even if, the expedition will be heading out in 2009 until sometime around October. At that time, I will pick an exact date – but for now, I’m generally planning on going sometime in March.

There is so much to do!

I need to get my inoculations updated. Since I’ve had so many for my previous trips (Costa Rica needed 10 shots – Mongolia needed 1 more) I probably wont need much. I might need one for Yellow Fever. I will definitely need to take Malaria pills, and possibly Typhoid as well. Unfortunately, they don’t make one for AIDS – but I should be safe, since I have no plans of sleeping with anybody while I’m there.

I need to get started as soon as possible on finding plane tickets. Those of you who know me best know that I absolutely loath making travel arrangements with the airlines. Nothing aggravates me more! Thankfully, my sister-in-law has said she will help me. She’s good at getting the best prices, and doesn’t mind doing all the research required. Otherwise, I would simply go to a travel agent and pay him/her to do it for me.

I need to get started on gathering up the gear required. This one is not a camping trip, so I will not need a sleeping bag like last time. But, it is on the equator so I will certainly need to pack appropriate clothing and sun protection. It’s also a high elevation, so that will require a sweater or two for the evenings. I need a hat, too. I don’t particularly like hats, but I’m almost certain I will like one over there.

I need to get started on reading up on the place. What kind of bugs will I see there? What kinds of animals? What’s the vegetation like over there? What are the people like? What is their history? I know they are having some political difficulties: what’s up with that?

Aaaaaaggggghhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!