Amsterdam

I'm currently sitting in one of the nicest and silliest airport lounges I've ever seen. The chairs are basically squares with blue or lime green fabric with wooden barriers in between them and no back rest. Many people of all shapes and sizes have configured themselves to fit into this awkward cube of space. There are also bookshelves with televisions in them, a playground for children, and special chairs with ipads. This is all in the main hallway of the terminal. The flight over was pretty good. I nustled into a window seat and only got up once because the nice old man in the aisle threatened to charge me 10 dollars if I woke him up again. A pleasant surprise was the vegetarian meal - Indian food mmmmm.

The sun is rising here. In a few hours, I'll be on a plane to Kilimanjaro airport. Eek. So excited. For the first week of the program we will be camping in Western Kilimanjaro for orientation. I  have no idea what to expect and I'm happy about that. Will probably be out of touch for a while. Lots and lots of love.

What is packed.

Gear:
 - a two person tent
 - tent footprint
 - sleeping bag
 - sleeping pad
 - sleeping bag liner
 - camelback water bladder
 - two other water bottles
 - head lamp
 - solar/crank-powered flashlight
 - pack pillow
 - fanny pack
 - internal frame backpack
 - daypack
 - small rolly suitcase for transporting the sleeping pad and bringing back goodies :)

Clothes:
 - 2 pairs of pants (one of which is the kind that converts into shorts...mmm)
 - 2 pairs of shorts
 - 2 skirts
 - 1 dress
 - 8 shirts
 - 10 pairs of underwear
 - 4 pairs of socks
 - 5 bras
 - 1 one-piece bathing suit
 - 2 bandanas
 - 2 scarves
 - hat
 - rain jacket
 - bug jacket
 - fleece
 - hiking boots
 - chacos
 - flipflops

Other:
 - homestay family gifts (lots of canada stuff)
 - 158 tablets of Malarone
 - an intense first aid kit including at least 5 ways to treat traveller's diarrhea
 - netbook and charger
 - ipod and charger
 - camera
 - The Doors of Perception
 - Walden
 - The Catcher in the Rye
 - Half the Sky
 - Conservation and Globalization (a required reading yet to be done)
 - protein bars
 - 148 tampons
 - toiletries
 - 3 bottles of bugspray
 - 6 bottles of with SPF 55 ;)
 - passport
 - tanzanian visa
 - wallet
 - copies of important documents
 - journal

So this is what I have for 4 months. A lot considering I'll probably end up wearing the same thing everyday, cartoon character-style. Lots of love.

This time tomorrow.