Yikes, This is Real!

Nic always despairs that I rarely get overexcited or overemotional about things. He explains it as being a product of my British upbringing. My being "mildly enthusiastic" is what he hopes for, since he knows I'm not about to jump, scream, and generally carry on.

So of course he was out of town on business all this week, in particular at 2.30am this morning when full on panic finally set in.

I'm going to Africa in a little over 6 weeks.

On my own.

Crap!

As the dogs lay snuggled in the bed, I was pacing until I decided I felt too jittery to pace. I was hungry so I ate some peanut butter which I promptly threw up. There then followed 20 minutes or so of "This is really happening!"

This unexpected attack of panic made me realize one thing. It has been far too long since I've traveled on my own. Not traveled as in going somewhere on my own, I still do that fairly regularly. I mean going somewhere outside my usual comfort zone. Somewhere completely new, where I don't know anyone and have no idea what to expect. In fact, I haven't done that since I moved to Japan back in 1995. Moving to the US wasn't exactly a bold leap, but this....

This is really going to happen...and after a few hours of sleep, I felt very excited this morning as I drove to the doctor's surgery to get my first two hepatitis shots, plus a prescription for malaria pills and one for antibiotics. (Good tip: Take a course of antibiotics with you when traveling somewhere out of the ordinary. It can help you cope with a whole range of ailments, if needed.)

I'm going to Africa in a little over 6 weeks. On my own. I have no idea what to expect, but I know it will be an incredible experience.