Random Musings Before Departing

(Rob)

-we were getting our last immunizations and Dr. Wise asked Anica if each of us have different roles to play while traveling. I wasn't sure if she understood the question, but she answered immediately: "Mummy plans, Daddy drives, and I play." Yep. That's about right...

-our passport now contains four visa pages: China, India, Egypt, Vietnam. We haven't gone anywhere yet, but it makes for a lovely collection.

-can you learn anything about a country from its consular services office? (Or is it like judging a city by its airport, a useless exercise.) If you can, Egypt would win: leather couches, lots of brochures, and the guy working there gave Anica candies. China, however, was standing lineups only, and a continously looping propaganda video. When it finished a loop, the Chinese woman in front of me snorted, turned around with a laugh to me, and rolled her eyes.

-biggest worry before leaving? My back. I hurt it just testing out my backpack. Not a good omen.

-our little two night trip to Ottawa last week reminded me that even "ordinary" travel can lead to frustration and squabbles. I have a more realistic picture in mind again about what we can handle and expect.

-here's something I joked about with my friend Chris at work:
"All We Really Need to Know About Traveling We Learned From The Amazing Race"
1) Either learn to drive standard (we didn't) or insist on an automatic (we did for Europe)
2) If you're not sure what to do, ask someone at a five-star hotel
3) Ask for directions sooner rather than later
4) If you and your spouse dress the same, you look dorky
5) When you're lost and arguing, it's not a pretty sight, but when you reach your goal, all is forgiven
6) For most people, being yelled at is not a form of encouragement
7) Don't make bad karma!

-after all these months of dreaming and planning, we leave on Monday. Like Anica said: "I wonder how it will feel in these places. Like India. How will it feel? We'll be touching India's things!"