After months of preparing and missing track to attend pre-departure sessions with the wonderful ISL people, I have finally arrived at the realization that I will be spending three months in Southern Uganda. My heat rate jumped once the actuall boarding passes were in my hand. Funny how a small tangible thing can make you realize how real what your're doing is. It still feels a bit odd thoguh. I know taht in about 22 or so hours I'll be in 18/71 degree weather, but right now the airport looks like it's in a snow globe. I have a lot of stops until I arive in Entebe though. I go from Denver to Dallas to London, and then to Entebe. I have all of my close with me in a small carry on, and a few things for entertainment in my backpack. I also have one small checked bacg with some other "essentials" (mostly bug spray). Thats it. Two small carry on size suitcaes's and a backpack for three months. I still feel that I could have packed less, but this is the least I've for a long trip packed ever.
It will still be a few days from my arrival until I meet my host family. The family sounds nice, but how much can you really learn about people from an email. The family has eight kids, but only three will be staying in the house with us for the whole time I am back (the rest are at bording school). I'm looking forward to meeting them. I have already been in contact wiht someone that a friend of my mom's knows from there, and if the family is as nice as they are I am in for a treat. I'm rooming with another girl from my class too.So that shoudl be fun.
As excited as I am, I am nervous about the mosquitos. I woudl be lying to myself, and anyone who read this if I said I was not. I have my Malaria pills, and bug spray, and bug repelent shirts, but still. I don't enjoy getting sick, I mean who does? I've also always hated mosquitos, despite the fact that they have loved me. I hope that this summer they take the hint, although I doubt that they will.
I've heard Lyantonde does not have much indoor plumbing. To be honest, I don't know if I'll mind. I've been camping so often that I might be ok, but we'll see how it goes.
Overall, I'm excited and cannot wait to get out of this snow globe!
