Will Someone Be Missing You? - 2 Days Until Departue

When you travel abroad will there be someone at home who will be missing you?  I have family and friends here and most will keep up with me on Facebook or my blog - Love you guys!! Shout out!  I found though, one good way to be in touch especially if you won't have much access to the Internet in a developing country is to write notes.  Write one for every week (or day if you're really motivated) you'll be gone and find a fun way to leave them for the person who will be missing you.  This time I just taped a note for each week to the back of the front door.  Other times I've hidden them around them house with a clue in each one to where the next note can be found the following week.  Be creative about what's in the notes.  Sometimes it can be hard to think of what to write ahead of time but you could include, notes, pictures, recipes, quotes and more!  Don't forget to leave birthday and holiday cards and gifts too if you'll be missing someone's special occasion.  These small gestures can often make family that is waiting for you at home feel very special.

Packing! - 3 Days Until Departure

Ok, so tonight was all about packing!  The airline allowed me two 50 pound bags (about .45kilograms each).  I have two bags that are about 45 pounds and I feel like I packed entirely too much.  The good news is, I should be set for all of my needs while I am there, the bad news...I look like a goof ball with two HUGE bags.  In a perfect world, I would have been a bit more adventurous and brought fewer toiletries and tried to fit everything into one bag, but my first 6 month trip away from home has me a bit nervous and I packed all but the kitchen sink.  I'll post a packing list soon for any would-be travelers to copy and use as they see fit!

PS Bubbles, my dog brought all her toys out of their bin and put them in my bag when I was downstairs doing laundry.  She was very upset when I pulled them all out.  I think someone thought she was coming with me!!

Flights - 6 Days Until Departure

One of the most costly parts of volunteering, working, or travelling abroad are the flights.  Lots of people have different tricks or finding the best flight at the best price.  I personally found the following article to be very helpful!  It had ten of the most common and helpful fare tracking websites for flights.

Top Ten Rate Tracking Sites for Flights

I also tend to be very observant on my flights noting what I did and didn't like about flying with an airline.  It helps when deciding between two differently priced flights...would I rather make more stops or fly an airline that isn't my preferred airline.  Flights can vary considerably by airline!  For example, this time when I went to book flights Delta had a flight that was almost $600 cheaper than United that I had flown last time I travelled.  It's a bit longer flight path and visits different cities, but for me since time really isn't money for me at this point, I decided to fly Delta and save myself $600.

Also, are you a student?  I found that I could save a couple hundred dollars by using Student Universe. Don't be fooled at first it looks like you might save $1000 or more on the flight, but once the fees and taxes are added in it usually is a savings of a couple hundred.  Remember though...that's still a few hundred dollars in your pocket rather than someone else's!

Check out Student Universe

Remember too, flights may vary considerably by price depending on your arrival time.  Be careful though, if you are traveling somewhere new and expecting to navigate it alone you should ensure you arrive at a time when it will be safe and easy (daylight) to find your ground transportation or destination!  Also, check to be sure the city you are traveling to does not have an imposed curfew that would preclude you from getting to your destination after you've landed.

Safe travels!

Money, Money, Money, Mooooney, Monay! - 9 Days Until Departure

Ok, so this a question I get a lot.  What will you do to access money while you're in Ghana.  Same thing I do here...go to the ATM!  Really, it sounds silly, but in most international places now (though you should check with someone local to where you are traveling on this to confirm) have ATM's that either take Visa backed checking cards or Mastercard.  I don't suggest you travel with a card attached to your entire life savings.  Honestly, sometimes there is theft or unintended borrowing so to speak rare as though it might be.  Here are my suggestions:

1. Start a small bank account with enough to travel with only and make sure your bank doesn't link it to any of your other accounts.
2. Only put in an amount you think you could match if you had to later in the trip that way if for some reason your card/pin is lost or stolen you could replace the funds and still live on without a major catastrophe.
3. Try to stand closely to the machine when you put your pin in and only carry your card when you need to access the money.  These are even good tips for here in your home country!
4. Alert your bank ahead of time that you will be traveling or you may find yourself carrying a useless piece of plastic that has been turned off because of suspected fraud.
5. Ask about fees before you leave!  My bank is gracious and charges me only a 1% handing fee plus $1 for any withdrawals I make internationally.

Good luck and happy travels the safe and fiscally responsible way!

My Milk Expires After - 10 Days Until Departure

With only 10 days until I depart for Africa, I realized this morning that the milk I bought at the store today expires after I will have experienced my first week back in Ghana.  That's a really weird feeling.  I guess I better get packing!!

Sleep Like a Baby - 14 Days Until Departure

One of the staff members of the organization I travelled to Ghana with two years ago used to ask me every morning how I slept, and would wait...for a response of "like a baby!"  You couldn't say good, bad, or otherwise, because that just wasn't the right response.  Oddly enough, even though I struggle sleeping here at home, in Ghana I really did sleep like a baby!  There was something about the cool rainy nights, being protected by my mosquito net, and being awoken by the sound of my favorite rooster every morning that made both sleep and waking up so pleasant.  I've convinced myself this is why, but then I think back and wonder if I slept so well because life in Ghana was so happy for me.  I didn't have the stress of a draining job, I enjoyed the work I was doing, and the people I was living with.  There really was so little stress because even when things went wrong people were able to make light of it, laugh it off, and solve the problem as best as possible.  Stress free, safe under my net, or thanks to the rooster - either way, I'm really looking forward to some good sleep in Ghana!

Do the Math - 16 Days Until Departure

Take a look and let me know what you think!  Are there any surprises here?  What does this tell us about the African Continent?  What conclusions do we think we can draw and how can we test them?  With all these questions in mind...what now?

Sometimes I Wonder! - 17 Days Until Departure

Ok, so sometimes I wonder...is anyone out there??  There's rarely a comment posted on this blog, and sometimes I wonder if it's worth keeping.  Then I realize, someone must be out there!  It's had almost 2,000 page views since the blog started, and 200 of those were just this week!  The blog this week reached more than 10 countries, one of which was Slovakia - cool!  Hey there Slovakia!  And, I noticed today that much of the traffic for my blog was being linked from an international news website - Whoa there!  Who knew I had news to share.  Anyways, a lot of these posts pre-departure are preparation ideas and ruminations, but the real fun starts in just over two weeks.  Until next time world, thanks for tuning in!

What Inspires Me? - 18 Days Until Departure

Some people have asked me lately why I choose to travel to Africa, and what it is about working at an orphanage that is so meaningful to me.  Well, the easy answer is to say that it's beautiful in Africa, the people are kind and welcoming, and who wouldn't love working with children?!?  But, then I think to myself...really, what does make me so compelled to do this?  It's one thing to want to, but for me it's more than that - it's that it feels so completely a part of me I couldn't imagine NOT doing it.  Then, "why?" is still the question at hand, and here's what I thought about during my soul searching...

My mother!  What a great day to come to that realization too, as I spent the day celebrating her.  Growing up, my mother would read me tales about how animals came to look the way they did.  The book was about mostly African animals like the Lion, Elephant, and Hippo.  As I got older she would play her favorite CD, Paul Simon's Graceland as she cleaned and baked.  The African beats would carry me away to a world I could only dream of.  I always remember her having out a copy of Out of Africa, and when I decided to move out of my original room in the house to a more roomier accommodation down the hall, my mother remade my old bedroom into an African Safari themed getaway.  I don't think I ever really noticed all of these things as being "in your face" about loving Africa, but come to find out she shares my curiosity and love of the continent, just from this side of the ocean.

That might have been enough to cultivate my love for the African continent or at least grow my interest, but why an orphanage?  To the point, my mother was an orphan.  Up until she was about 4 or 5 she was cared for, among hundreds of other children, by the Sisters of St. Joseph.  It was not what we think of today as foster or residential homes, it was truly and undeniably an orphanage of the first half of the 20th century with many children in very small cribs the size of bassinets. 

I don't know what her experience was up until 5 when she gained a loving home with a mother and father, but there is something to my being with children without mothers.  My mother doesn't hesitate to characterize her adopted mother as her one and only mother, as a strong and charismatic leader of the home, as a loving and generous woman, and as someone who shaped who she became as a young woman and mother herself.  The children of the orphanage I'll be working at have strong, beautiful, amazing female role models that under any circumstances could be considered a mother.  Working at an orphanage will be rewarding, breathtaking, difficult at times, and fun, but more than anything it's also a way for me to connect on the deepest level with my mother and her mother.

My mother is one of the strongest influences in my life, so I'm sure I'l have more to say about her as my journey unfolds.  Happy Mother's Day to all those who are blessed to have children in their lives biological, adopted, foster or otherwise.  My love to you!

FLASHBACK Slave Castles Elmina, Ghana - 19 Days Until Departure

One of the most moving places we visited while in Ghana two years ago was Elmina Castle.  Elmina and Cape Coast Castles were fortifications built by European powers originally for trading of goods and later used human shipping ports during the trans - Atlantic slave trade.  The experience of being there isn't something you can capture in a picture or in words.  It is a feeling that is somewhat indescribable.  You can almost feel the suffering when you are walking through what is now a primarily empty castle.  The smell is quite unique, and overall it may be one of the inherently saddest places I have ever been.  Oddly enough, some of the visitors were smiling for pictures and seemed unfazed.  I wasn't sure if that was because they came from a different part of the world that had a less direct historical relationship with slavery or if maybe I just was more sensitive than the average person.  Either way, contemplative, sad, and invigorated to create change in our world, my experience there was moving, but I don't remember smiling much.  Either way the castles are a MUST in your travels to Ghana.  In case you are worried - in my experience no one will judge you for being an American with a national history of slavery.  In fact, most of the conversations that I had with Ghanaians in the castle were about how to ensure that modern day slavery could be addressed.  The castle was a setting where it became safe to talk about modern day slavery and request from each other that we work towards solutions in honor of and restoring justice in light what we should have learned from history.

Malaria Be Gone - 21 Days Until Departure

Well!  I successfully talked my insurance company into covering my malaria prophylaxis (prevention) while I am gone.  210 blue pills to keep the malaria away.  That's a lot of bug-be-gone!  Let's hope between this and my Off Deep Woods (be careful using bug repellent with Deet) I'll be malaria free all six months!  More to come on the must haves of your packing list!  See post below for the details on how to find out what kinds of malaria prevention your insurance company  might cover!  Below $35.00 for 7 months of Doxycycline the alternative $932.65 for 7 months of Mefloquine, but each insurance company is different and the pros and cons for each medication are different.  Check with your doctor, pharmacy, and insurance company and make the best decision for you!

Travel from Home - 22 Days Until Departure

Can't travel?  Don't have the money, the time, or the opportunity?  Try traveling from home.  Learn, engage, and help right from your home.  I've found keeping in touch with developing nations and what people are experiencing there is easy through documentaries easily found on Netflix and books on Amazon.  Here's a few of my favorites!

DOCUMENTARIES:
Girl Rising - great documentary!  But you'll have to try to buy tickets online.  Visit their site for more info.  http://girlrising.com/

The Third Wave - check out the reviews here http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0939669/

Small Voices - A great one for anyone interested in how poverty impacts children in the developing world http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1241250/


BOOKS:
Haiti: After the Earthquake by Paul Farmer - Great book and written by one of the public health arena's most influential international minds http://www.amazon.com/Haiti-After-Earthquake-Paul-Farmer/dp/1610390989

Shake Hands with the Devil by Romeo Dallaire - This one is a particularly tough read, but well worth it!  It's a really honest look into the UN and international decisions related to genocide in our world.  Give it a try, but if you are like me you may need to put it down a few times before finishing...it's really emotionally charging!  http://www.amazon.com/Shake-Hands-Devil-Failure-Humanity/dp/0786715103/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1368124043&sr=1-1&keywords=shake+hands+with+the+devil

They Poured Fire on Us from the Sky - Great book from young boys perspective of war and refugee camps in Sudan.  Also, very moving, but difficult to read because of how emotional it is to think of children surviving some of these experiences.  http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_15?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=they%20poured%20fire%20on%20us%20from%20the%20sky&sprefix=they+poured+fir%2Cstripbooks%2C237&rh=i%3Astripbooks%2Ck%3Athey%20poured%20fire%20on%20us%20from%20the%20sky&sepatfbtf=true&tc=1368124174809

International Health Insurance - 25 Days Until Departure

One thing I never skimp on is health insurance.  You never know what might happen when you are in a new place with new illnesses you've never experienced before.  If nothing else, I'd like to be sure I can get some care if I trip and fall into one of Ghana's infamous roadside gutter systems - it happens!

My regular health insurance company didn't offer any coverage for overseas travel, so Googled it!  I found a few companies with great ratings, but quickly found out that West Africa has been black listed from a lot of insurance by underwriters because of fraudulent claims.  Luckily for me after a day of calling around, I found a company.  When shopping for travel health insurance, make sure their policies meet your needs, and be careful prices can vary extremely!  One company quoted me a policy for $998 and another $42.  I went with a policy that worked for me for $141 for my whole 6 month stay.

Things to remember:

1. Make sure your policy includes emergency airlift to an appropriate treatment facility (and ask what the cap is on this for some it is up to $300,000 cost and others $500,000)
2. Think about what kind of coverage you need (most of the plans have medical maximums from $30,000 to $1,000,000)- they'll ask if you are participating in high risk activities like bungee jumping, sky diving, and riding motorbike and mopeds (yes, you read that right mopeds and motorbikes - I laughed too, but makes sense when you think about it and see the roadways in developing countries).
3. Ask about deductibles and choose one that meets your resources and needs (they can often vary from $0 to $1,000).
4. Also, consider coverage that will include incidentals that might be important to you - covering lost or stolen baggage, coverage for things destroyed in natural disaster, or coverage for a change in flight for the death of a family member
5. Ask if it is a primary or secondary plan.  Mine happens to be a secondary plan which means I cover the cost first, and after treatment I'll submit my receipts for reimbursement.

Travel medical insurance is very affordable!  It's worth looking into for peace of mind especially for extended trips.  Be patient, ask lots of questions, and be persistent!  Also, having proof in developing countries that you can pay or cover the cost of treatment is often very important to doctors.  Remember, with enough looking, you'll find just the policy for you!

Measuring the Risks and Benefits - 26 Days Until Departure

Most of international travel in my opinion is about weighing risks and benefits and making a decision - frankly often wishing you could see into the future, but let's face it we can't!  My all time favorite (this is exaggerating a little, but I could use some excitement in my life) malaria prophylaxis (prevention) is mefloquine.  I took it last time I was in Ghana, it was an easy once a week pill, and unlike most people I had almost no reaction - remind me to tell you about the dream I had with my first dose.  I submitted that to my doctor she ok'd it and gave me a script, which was promptly denied by my insurance.  I wasn't surprised by that, but I was surprised by the heft $933 price tag associated with paying it myself.

So here's what I learned...your insurance might cover malaria prophylaxis especially if it's a medication used to treat other more common things here in the US (some treat rheumatoid arthritis, some are antibiotics etc).  Consider looking on the CDC website to find out what kinds of malaria prophylaxis work where you'll be traveling - it's different for different regions.  Then call your insurance and talk to them BEFORE going to the travel doctor about how or what they might cover.  Then when you see the travel doctor you'll be armed with information.  I did this backwards, and it was a pain for everyone.  In the end I'll likely be on a prophylaxis I wasn't really 100% happy with - Doxycycline, but it seemed worth it to chance a few of the side effects that were just annoying more than anything to save almost $1,000 barring deciding not to prevent malaria and chance it.

VISAS!!!!!!! - 28 Days Until Departure

Ok, so it's the month of May and everything has changed.  I can now say...I leave THIS month for Ghana!!!  The nerves have kicked in, but I know it will be a great time once I am there.  This month is all about breathing, getting through the stressful stuff, and remembering to have some fun!

Let's talk visas!  Visa applications tend to be really simple, but have very important details that you must follow or you will find yourself getting denied or held up.

***Make sure you take the instructions straight from the consulate you plan to be working with.

***Consider printing them out so you can make notes, check things off, and go through the list multiple times before sealing your package to mail.

***You will have to mail your original passport, so it's important you feel comfortable you have met all their requirements or your golden passport could get held up in consulate space!

For most visas they start on the day they are issued.  This means you want to mail it late enough so it will last as long as possible on your trip, but not so late that you don't have time to get it back from them or deal with unexpected hiccups.  This is a fine line to dance.  If you are nervous about this...I'm with you!  There is something unnatural feeling about mailing your passport away less than a month before your flight to a foreign land.

My best advice to you is...

1. Make sure your application is complete and that you've followed all of their express instructions
2. If you feel more comfortable there are visa expediting companies - they charge you to handle your visa on top of the consulate's fee, and I think they just add a middle man which in my opinion is always scarier than doing it myself, but it depends on your personality.
3. Don't be afraid to follow up and call if something doesn't feel right with the consulate

Common items you may need for your visa (check with your consulate and use their list first!):

1. Your passport and it usually can't expire less than six months from your visa application
2. A copy of your shot record showing any required vaccinations.  
3. A copy of your bio data page of your passport
4. Passport photo for the application
5. Payment in cashier's check or money order - most don't take cash or personal check
6. A copy of your flight itinerary showing a return flight out of the country of destination 
7. A letter of invitation and ID from someone in the country you are visiting
8. You application, sometimes done in capital letters, and sometimes in duplicate