T Minus 12 Days (or the joy of packing your whole life in a few suitcases)

My school in Tanzania offers a very generous shipping allowance, yet as far as I can tell shipping to Tanzania is not quite as simple as sending a parcel to Japan or any other place I have been. The biggest hassle seems to be that I would not be able to collect any shipments until I have a tax ID number- which could be October. I can't seem to get the full story on whether this means I will have to personally collect any future parcels from the port of Dar es Salaam as though it were a shipping crate or not. But all of that sounds like more trouble than it's worth for me, particularly since I'm not planning to bring any furniture or large art that would necessitate an actual crate being shipped. My needs are much smaller.

So the last few months I have been acquiring the things I think I'll need for my new life in Tanzania. Mostly they are miscellaneous personal effects - like climate appropriate clothes, an aromatherapy diffuser, and supplements - or things that are difficult or expensive to get in Dar - like sharp knives and bed sheets - or things that are somewhat unique to my future life in Tanzania - binoculars, a snorkel and mask, a solar powered lantern, and an SPF infused swim shirt.

Today I received my last Amazon package of supplies and as I look at the small mountain of items I've collected over the past few months I find myself wondering if I'll actually be able to fit it all in the suitcases I plan to bring... I try to assure myself that since it will be so warm, I won't have the kinds of heavy clothes and shoes that I packed for Japan. But I don't think I'm convinced just yet.

Perhaps you're thinking, why not try it out, do a test pack to see if it all fits while still remaining under the weight limit? An excellent idea. And yet... so not my style. Instead I'll continue to stare at my pile of things and visualize the additional items that I'll pack into my two large and two small suitcases. And then when less than 24 hours remain before my departure I'll begin hopefully shoving it all in the cases and see what happens.

Only 12 more days...

Everything changes and nothing stands still

So much has changed since my last post here, and yet so much is exactly the same.

I'm preparing to move to a new place to continue my journey as a teacher - Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

If you had asked me a few months ago where I wanted to live, I would not have said Tanzania. Honestly, I probably would not have mentioned Africa at all. But life, circumstance, and a great school presented me with an intriguing opportunity that ultimately I could not say "no" to.

And so for the next few months I am preparing for this new chapter: moving to Africa.

So far my focus has been on deciding which parts of my past I want to take with me to my new home via photo enlargements and travel wall art. I printed and framed some of my best photos from the last ten years. I'm considering easy to pack posters that represent places I've been and the journey I've been on. Strangely, this is the first time I have really thought about creating a sense of "home" in a new place. I just have a good feeling about this next adventure.

I'm not convinced Tanzania will be where I ultimately "settle down", if a vagabond such as myself can do such a thing. But I do feel ready to create a life and be present in this new experience. My goal is to document some of that here, on this blog.

Join me this July as the journey begins.