In preparation

4 days until takeoff. Shots are almost all done. Travel insurance is on the list for tomorrow. Packing has not begun but we all know that last minute packing is the most efficient way to do it. How we will manage to pack 8 months worth of stuff into 2 backpacks is beyond me, oh and yes Óskar is still wearing diapers. We tried to potty train him but he refused. So be it. I also tried to get into bikini shape but like Óskar, I refused. We are armed with cartoons and stickers for long travel days. So all in all, we are pretty much ready for the big voyage. The first stop is Tanzania where we will visit a friend of ours from college. It is amazing how many friends from all over the world we made at Macalester. I hear safari is on the list (oh yes as you will find out I am not a big planner, I like being "planned for" or just see where the day takes me), and perhaps some beach time. I am very excited for Tanzania since I have never been to Africa. From there we will head to Southeast Asia and spend 2 1/2 months between Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines. Next stop is Australia where we will spend about 3 weeks before returning to the US. We will be doing national parks on the west coast for another 3 weeks before finishing the trip in Ecuador and Galapagos for a month and a half. I hope you had a wonderful holiday and wish you all a happy 2015! Own only what you can always carry with you: know languages, know countries, know people. Let your memory be your travel bag. -Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn.