By So I’m writing this blog a little late due to publishing problems. Now we are leaving for Saint John in 2 hours and because of this I am feeling different than I was 3 days ago when I first attempted to write this. I’m not so much scared about going halfway around the world for 2 months as I’m anxious about being without the basic comforts of home that I’ve come to love so much. Sure there are always concerns when traveling to new places about security etc. but that doesn’t really bother me. Many other SSU groups have gone on the same, or similar, trips and all come out alright, why should ours be any different? Not having internet regularly, not having food I like… these are things that actually concern me, who cares about illegal activities if you can’t get good food.
Over the last few weeks we have been bombarded with information on how to be culturally sensitive, making it seem as if any slip up with offend our hosts or even insult them. All this kind of thinking will do is make me so concerned with doing the right thing culturally I’ll completely forget about the rest of the trip. Of course I will make an effort to be polite in the eyes of my host, but I will also acknowledge my limitations.
Now its time to do some last minute packing before we leave, my favorite part of leaving. You go through a list of things you need, but no matter what you do, you will forget half of what you need. Oh well.