Packing

I look pregnant with materialism. This is what even "packing light" will get me: a swollen bookbag on the front of my torso and a hiker's backpack covering back. I'm almost as wide as I am tall like this. Every movement I make reminds me of the Jiffy-Puff Man on Ghostbusters. But hey, it leaves both my hands free and I can reach my passport and money easily. And I think I can get it all of my things into the big pack if I have to. Maybe. If I kick it a few times.

I have about five days worth of clothing, enough medicine to take care of any foreseeable minor sickness or injury, water bottles, chocolate and chewing gum, and (a gift from my mother) Where There is No Doctor. I've banned myself from reading more of this life-saving, but incredibly gory textbook because it makes me anxious. Wanna know how many ways people can suffer? It's got (thankfully, just sketched) pictures.

I'm also bringing books and music for the plane ride which will take anywhere from 12 to 22 hours depending on who I ask. I can't figure it out for myself because I'm not sure how the time zones work. At least it's a direct flight so I don't have to worry about lay-overs.

I've got about one day left to pack. One day to clean, double-check, and then go. I leave on Wednesday and go to stay with a friend of a friend in Herndon (which is apparently near D.C.). Then next morning, Helpful Lady (I forgot her name) takes me to the airport. If all goes according to plan, I will fly through the day and the night and land in the early morning in Addis Ababa.Capital city. We'll see how it goes.

PS Still need a better name for this blog!