Planning, Packing, and Goodbyes

Organizing a trip like the adventure I am about to embark on takes a lot of planning and preparation. In the past, the extent of planning for long term travel was booking a flight, buying a guidebook, and scraping up the money to be away for a few months. I was fortunate in the early days to pick up and truly leave it all behind – virtually no financial obligations or responsibilities from home tying me down.

This time is different – I’m keeping my apartment and will still need to manage my bills while on the road. I’m fortunate to have a sub-letter and a relatively laid back landlord who will keep a casual eye on my place while I’m gone.  In order to make room in my teeny tiny place, I've literally had to pack up just about everything I own and store things with friends and family. The joy of moving without actually moving.

I did buy several guidebooks in the initial stages, and half of the fun was researching where I could go and then ultimately what I could afford to do. Once that was determined, the list of to-do’s and details to take care of seemed to multiply exponentially. On the way to the airport this afternoon, the things I forgot to do seemed to hit me all at once. I felt like a criminal leaving the scene of the crime, my careless mistakes made in haste would catch up with me one way or another. Hopefully the impact is minimal :).

Packing has been a challenge. Ecuador is rather cool this time of year, the Camino clothing must be quick-dry and versatile, and southern Africa should be relatively hot and will require a bit of everything.

Chaos transformed into two bags for 5 months.

I was on a first name basis with my pharmacist.

On top of the clothes, I have to tote a small pharmacy of drugs with me all over the world. You name it, I have it. Including four different malaria medications. 

But having survived three weeks of being fairly ill in Africa on my last trip, I’m glad that I have the supplies to thwart any potential setbacks.

One of the hardest things I’ve had to do is say goodbye to dear friends and family that I will not see for a long time. One of those “good-byes” was to my TMT family that I am leaving behind in order to take the Big Trip. 

Seven years. Working any place for such a long time will have its ups and downs, but the people I have met along the way have made it worth the journey. I am so blessed to have met so many people who have contributed so much to my personal and professional development. 

Thank you for the laughter, the support, the unending supply of migraine meds, and the unforgettable memories that I will take with me into the next chapter of my life.

I was verklempt most of the day saying goodbye to everyone.

My Smile Train teammates: Summerlin, Heath, Meisha, Justin, Katie and I.

Farewell Happy Hour at Uncle Julios - thanks everyone for coming out!

Amazing gifts from my generous co-workers: Georgia will be "on my mind" and around my neck, years of memories at my fingertips, something I can take with me into the Amazon, the funniest work card ever, and gorgeous flowers from my client, Smile Train. I am so blessed.

Don't be sad because you are saying goodbye. You should be happy because you have memories with them you'll cherish forever.

 - Unknown