Took a nice stroll through the embassy district in downtown Ottawa yesterday, where I handed the small Filipino secretary at the Kenyan embassy my Visa application. So I should get that back next week and then bring it down the road to the Tanzanian embassy. I'd much rather have the documentation here and IN my passport when I arrive then to deal with the potential greed of customs people over there. I've never been fond of border agents since my days working in the 'States and the hassles I'd received.
Going to Bushtukah with my coupon, see if I can get any more gear for my trip. I have most everything, except for some first aid supplies and I have a good idea where I can get those.
Currently I've lost 48.5lbs since January 2, 2009. So 1.5lbs to go. The weight loss is just numbers, I think my challenge will be more the sustainability of it. I suspect the Mountain climb may just be a little less of a strain, but I didn't do it solely for that. Though it did serve as a good "goal date." Suppose perhaps my next goal will be running 10km next year during the race weekend?
Apart from being excited about the whole trip in general, I am particularly excited to go hiking in Rwanda in search of Mountain Gorilla's, commonly known as Silverbacks. Apparently you can get pretty close to them, and it's a large part of what I planned my trip for. The first time I ever really looked outside Canadian borders was the news coverage of the Rwandan genocide and I took alot of pride in the fact a Canadian General, Romeo Dallaire was leading the UN mission. Like my trip to Oz and New Zealand, I have different reasons for wanting to see all three countries this fall, Tanzania-Kenya-Rwanda.
For a chuckle, check out the movie preview for "Old Dogs" I'd be lucky if I didn't end up like Seth Green (the small red headed guy).
Enjoy: www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiB1cz6y-8o
.....less than two months away from the trip....
George
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Day one
Well, at the suggestion of friends I've created a BLOG. By no means should this be interpreted that I have been 'internet savvy', as my main skills remain emails and Music uploads! Honesty is policy.
Where should I start. I met Valerie Leger, my wonderful girlfriend on March 19, 2008. We had a Starbucks Date and I believe I mentioned it then, when asked something about something or I merely volunteered it as I am known to do that I had ambitions to travel to Africa for at least one month. From there it was always on the backburner of discussion. My mother met Valerie in December 2008. Shortly after the initial meet and greet, mum pressed Val with a simple question/statement (as is mum's way) "You're letting him GO to Africa, right?" Mum smiled awkwardly humming to herself, awaiting Val's response to a question (debatable still if a question, it was?) and of course Val was and always has been resoundingly supportive in my trip preparations. The departure in September will be a mix of selflessness (a trip I've always wanted for myself), selfishness (actually doing something for myself and leaving Val at home in Ottawa) and of course, excitement.
Trip is booked, and paid for. Despite Val's protests, I'd given myself most of my immunizations (save for Yellow Fever-had to have someone give me that one, for documentation purposes). Even had my wisdom teeth (2) removed so they don't act up in Africa.
Still gotta get my VISAS, some odds and ends I'll need for the trip that I haven't already picked up. Whatever vacation days I didn't get, I'll give away or try and trade....but those are just details.
September 28, 2009
From the train station here in Ottawa, I will be heading to the airport in Montreal for a flight to Amsterdam(KLM) and then on to Mt. Kilimanjaro airport in Arusha, Tanzania. I'll have about 1.5 days to acclimatize before I set out to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, which up and down the mountain.....summit to doorstep will be 8 days. I will be carrying a letter to my father up the mountain (with some hopes & dreams written in too) which I will burn in a campfire on the mountain top. I've invited siblings to write the same kind of letter. My letter will signify the physical feat of not only climbing the mountain but thumbing my nose to all that my dad and our family lost with what Multiple Sclerosis gave us.
From Kilimanjaro.......well there are just some things I'd rather do, and then write about...
George
Where should I start. I met Valerie Leger, my wonderful girlfriend on March 19, 2008. We had a Starbucks Date and I believe I mentioned it then, when asked something about something or I merely volunteered it as I am known to do that I had ambitions to travel to Africa for at least one month. From there it was always on the backburner of discussion. My mother met Valerie in December 2008. Shortly after the initial meet and greet, mum pressed Val with a simple question/statement (as is mum's way) "You're letting him GO to Africa, right?" Mum smiled awkwardly humming to herself, awaiting Val's response to a question (debatable still if a question, it was?) and of course Val was and always has been resoundingly supportive in my trip preparations. The departure in September will be a mix of selflessness (a trip I've always wanted for myself), selfishness (actually doing something for myself and leaving Val at home in Ottawa) and of course, excitement.
Trip is booked, and paid for. Despite Val's protests, I'd given myself most of my immunizations (save for Yellow Fever-had to have someone give me that one, for documentation purposes). Even had my wisdom teeth (2) removed so they don't act up in Africa.
Still gotta get my VISAS, some odds and ends I'll need for the trip that I haven't already picked up. Whatever vacation days I didn't get, I'll give away or try and trade....but those are just details.
September 28, 2009
From the train station here in Ottawa, I will be heading to the airport in Montreal for a flight to Amsterdam(KLM) and then on to Mt. Kilimanjaro airport in Arusha, Tanzania. I'll have about 1.5 days to acclimatize before I set out to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, which up and down the mountain.....summit to doorstep will be 8 days. I will be carrying a letter to my father up the mountain (with some hopes & dreams written in too) which I will burn in a campfire on the mountain top. I've invited siblings to write the same kind of letter. My letter will signify the physical feat of not only climbing the mountain but thumbing my nose to all that my dad and our family lost with what Multiple Sclerosis gave us.
From Kilimanjaro.......well there are just some things I'd rather do, and then write about...
George
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