It's all done - everything is packed. I leave tomorrow morning. I learned a BIG lesson in Egypt last year when my suitcase went missing for the first week of the trip. Now, to be fair, we got the first flight to Cairo out of JFK after the airport had been closed for several days due to a major snow storm so conditions were a bit crazy but living without a suitcase teaches one lessons. I learned. I have a 15 pound carry-on that will see me though the 3 weeks of safari if all else is lost - 2 outfits, meds, hiking boots, jacket, sweater, necessary docs, etc. The other duffle, 17 pounds, has the less critical, stuff.
It is a little challenging because it is winter in the part of Africa we are visiting - Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana and South Africa (we will spend 5 days in Cape Town at the end) and we sleep in tents with no heat. It will be in the high 30s at night and when we do our first animal viewings of the day thus hats, gloves, warm jackets, long underwear, etc. are recommended. It warms up by mid day so I'll be shedding layers however it means packing much more than one would if touring in summer.
This is a tour like none other I have done. In past trips I have marveled at the wonders of geography and human creativity, this time I am observing animals in their natural setting. How glorious. However I also know that I want them to remain content with their own diet and be uninterested in munching on me! Apparently we hear animal noises all around us as we sleep in our tents at night. A friend who went on this same trip two years ago had elephants stand right next to her tent. Another had baboons break in during the day because she left candy inside. That I understand - reminds me of the bears at Yosemite.
The only thing I actually dread is the flight. 5 hours to Washington D.C. then 17 hours to Johannesburg (and 19 hours on the way back). That's a LONG time to be squished into an airline seat. I hope I can sleep through a lot of it. Hmmm, perhaps some wine is in order.
I'll be in contact when I get back. Oh my.
It is a little challenging because it is winter in the part of Africa we are visiting - Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana and South Africa (we will spend 5 days in Cape Town at the end) and we sleep in tents with no heat. It will be in the high 30s at night and when we do our first animal viewings of the day thus hats, gloves, warm jackets, long underwear, etc. are recommended. It warms up by mid day so I'll be shedding layers however it means packing much more than one would if touring in summer.
This is a tour like none other I have done. In past trips I have marveled at the wonders of geography and human creativity, this time I am observing animals in their natural setting. How glorious. However I also know that I want them to remain content with their own diet and be uninterested in munching on me! Apparently we hear animal noises all around us as we sleep in our tents at night. A friend who went on this same trip two years ago had elephants stand right next to her tent. Another had baboons break in during the day because she left candy inside. That I understand - reminds me of the bears at Yosemite.
The only thing I actually dread is the flight. 5 hours to Washington D.C. then 17 hours to Johannesburg (and 19 hours on the way back). That's a LONG time to be squished into an airline seat. I hope I can sleep through a lot of it. Hmmm, perhaps some wine is in order.
I'll be in contact when I get back. Oh my.
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