T minus 1hr; good-bye Chase!

At the airport; just ate some grilled food; boarding is in 30min.  We got through security just fine - I went through the x-ray for the first time and I didn't like it!
Talked to Aunt Nancy on the phone last night and it sounds like everything is in order for our arrival.  She claims that half the neighborhood will be with her to greet us at the airport.  We can't wait!!!

Thanks to the GENEROSITY of family, friends, and co-workers, we'll be able to hand over $1500 to Nancy to put into the program.  I am thrilled to be able to be the transporter of such a gift!  I hear that there will be a big meal for the 123 children in the program on Mar 4th, which was made possible by the anonymous donation of a goat to head Mama Mkubwa.  Jeff and I will be able to attend and meet everyone.

We took Chase up to a kennel in Stanwood - it was a long drive but worth it, as this place was recommended by the breeder from whom Jeff bought Chase.  We miss him already!!!  But I think he's going to have a blast up there - the area is covered in snow, which always enchants him.

Explosion on Military Base

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/02/17/tanzania.bombings/

Our hearts go out to the victims and their families.

My thoughts: if we actually make it to Dar I will be thankful, given our stop in Cairo and the fact the Dar airport is closed right now.  Anything else we get to do is icing on the cake - I just want to get there!!!

Making the Website

This is so cool: Jeff was able to find a great deal on godaddy.com to buy space and own the URL: http://www.tuamoyo.org/.  We have already paid for the first 3 years.  If you go to it now, you will just see one page; it's just the beginning!

On the American Airlines website, where there used to be info about changing flights to Egypt, now has just info about Haiti.  I guess they are thinking it's safe/feasible to go through Cairo again so it doesn't look like we'll be changing our flight.

We have about an hour layover and Jeff really wants to go see a pyramid "real quick".  I don't think that will happen! :)

We fly through Cairo

Wow, we leave 3 weeks from tomorrow!  Still figuring out what laptop we'll take to Nancy but the rest of the electronics have been figured out.  We've raised close to or just over $1000 so far which is amazing!!!  The plan is to give it to Nancy directly and she'll put it where Tuamoyo needs it.

Bad news though: our flight goes through Cairo and I don't know what to do about it.  American Airlines is offering changing itineraries or refunding trips for travelers going up to Feb 15th.  We'll have to keep checking their website and once it includes Feb 26th we'll see about changing it up.  How nerve-wracking though!  Oh revolutionaries - don't you know Jeff and I need to get to Dar?

I don't have any more news about Tuamoyo but will surely communicate everything we learn about it while we're there and we'll take TONS of pics!  One thing we want to attempt is to get Aunt Nancy a solid and consistent internet connection.

More to come soon!  Thanks for your support!

Purchases, purchases!

Jeff and I went shopping today!  REI, Costco, Sports Authority, Best Buy.  I think we are getting really close to being set.  Got hiking pants, rainboots, mosquito nets, money belt, deet, sunscreen, iodine tabs (just in case), binoculars, magic jack, webcam, mini tripod, bigger SD card.  We almost got hats at REI, but they were fleece-lined.  Apparently the Seattle REI has ones without fleece that will be much better for HOT TZ.

Jeff is going to see if he can clean out my old laptop and make it functional to leave in TZ with Aunt Nancy.  When we're there we are supposed to go to the Zantel store straight away and buy a portable receiver and a month's worth of internet service.  Then we should be well-connected for our stay.  I just hope we can make it to Zantel sooner than later after arriving!

We still have really no idea how exactly we'll be spending our first two weeks there, but somehow it will be spending time with Aunt Nancy and helping where able.  We are ready to be flexible!

Then the last week - the "vacation" portion - is still up in the air as well.  Safaris, we've found out, are EXTREMELY expensive.  But apparently while we're there it may be possible to book a last-minute trip at a reasonable rate.  I'm really hopeful; especially since it will be low-tourist/rainy season.

FIVE WEEKS TO GO

Getting ready - countdown is on

We're starting the packing process.  Trips to REI, Costco, and Fry's are in order.  I think we're taking more electronics than underwear!  In addition, we are going at the start of the rainy season so will definitely need rain boots, rain pants, rain coats (I think we have the coats).  I'm still figuring out the portable modem/internet connection thing while we're there.

Aunt Nancy recently had a fire in her apartment!  A candle was left briefly alone by a window and the curtains blew into the flame.  Thankfully everyone is ok, but her room is a bit charred.  She assures me our trip is still a go and our room is ok.  :)

My mom made me a quilt for Christmas to commemorate the trip.  The back paneling (Safari Lager) is fabric Aunt Nancy brought to the states from Africa years ago.  She did a beautiful job!

Donations have been gradually rolling in and we are so thankful!  People amaze me with their generosity!  More to come soon!

6 weeks since last post???

Oh my goodness, how have six weeks gone by since we posted here first?  I ran the half-marathon (Jeff wasn't able to - had a bad cold!) after Thanksgiving and was able to run the whole thing, thankfully.  It took a little longer than expected (2:36) but I did it!  My big supporter on the route was my Aunt Polly who was able to take this photo at mile 11:
She brought me orange slices by request!

Jeff put his passport application in the mail a couple weeks ago; and then we just have to get visas.  I've been to a travel clinic (Jeff going soon) where I had to get hep A, polio booster, and typhoid pills.  The hep A  shot was a whopper!  I got the whole lecture on safe food and water etiquette and what kind of mosquito repellant to use.  Trip is 8 weeks away!!!!!!