Third World Rookie
This old map on my bulletin board has a pushpin in the places I’ve traveled to.
On Friday I head out on my first trip to the third world. It will be my first time to the continent of Africa. It will be my first time in the desert. It will be my first time off the grid. I have a feeling there will be a lot of “first times” on this trip. I’m really excited!
After a 24-hr layover in London (hooking up with our dear friends Paul and Louanne Enns) I’ll be continuing on to Nairobi, Kenya where I’ll meet up with David duChemin who will have just finished teaching a photography workshop while on a Safari. From there we head North/East on an NGO assignment among the Rendille (I’ll share more about WHY we’re going when I return).
Road travel will be an adventure all in its own right (desert tracks and road-less dunes with sand pouring over the hood of the jeep – kinda stuff). The heat will be a bit of an issue for me as Mr. Sun and I don’t always get along but I’m preparing for all contingencies, though I’ve decided to leave the sombrero at home (hehe). The villages we’ll be visiting are nomadic, so hopefully they’re there when we arrive (I kid, I kid). This trip is shaping up to be legendary and amazing – I can feel it.
Packing has been fun because I had nothing – no shots, no desert clothes, nothing. When the trip got confirmed I asked David if I could see his packing list and, well, it was pretty obvious… a trip (or two) to MEC was very necessary. I particularly enjoyed purchasing quick-drying underwear and campsuds.
This will be the longest trip I’ve taken without without my amazing wife. We’ve been apart for 11 days once and that sucked big time. This trip however has the added dynamic of me being out of communication for nearly two weeks – our previous streak is about 8 hours. This is probably the hardest part. If you think I’m a sap you can shove it.
I wouldn’t say I’m a rookie to traveling but seeing the world has always been more on the dream side verses the reality side. Previous trips to Amsterdam, Singapore, Hawaii, and New York (and countless other Canadian and US cities) have only just wet my appetite for travel and Eileen and I look forward to seeing and experiencing more of the world in the coming years.
Oh – if you’re getting the itch to travel I recommend following Chris Guillebeau – he’s living the dream, big time.
If you’re curious about the trip then be sure to follow David’s blog as he usually puts up a postcard and a snippet of the adventure at some point. I might do the same but he’s the real blogger, I’m just faking it.
If you have advice about traveling in Africa keep it to yourself – we’ll be with very experienced people so don’t you worry.
This is going to be quite the adventure!
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[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by corwinhiebert, Chris Lam. Chris Lam said: Congrats on embarking on a great adventure! RT @corwinhiebert: Living the dream! Headed to Kenya on Friday – http://ow.ly/3Jj3H [...]