I have run around for three weeks, acquiring things for my trip: a sunhat, sunscreen, insect repellent with DEET, water purification tablets, vaccinations, prescriptions, a visa (for entry to Mali), a VISA (for getting cash from Bamako's one ATM). Thirty rolls of film and two lead bags. A 256 Mb card for my digital camera (borrowed -- thanks K!). Pants and shirts that travel well and look presentable and are comfortable in 105° heat. All this while trying to work some extra hours to help cover my two-and-a-half week vacation.

This morning I put everything in a suitcase and a carry-on. Happily, it's less than I thought it would be. Now it's 11:30 a.m., I'm all packed, and my cab doesn't come until 5:45 p.m. . . . I guess I'll just putter nervously around the house until then. I fly out of Dulles at 10:15 and arrive in Paris around 11:00 am tomorrow. I'll spend five hours in Charles de Gaulle airport, then fly directly to Bamako, the capital of Mali, arriving a little after 8:00 p.m.

Then I'll be in Africa, for the first time in my life. I've heard so much about it, from E of course, and from other friends who were in Peace Corps there, or travelled there as students. Strangely, I feel like I had a clearer mental picture of it a week ago than I do today. As my departure draws nearer, I have less and less of an idea what to expect. All I really expect is that it will be like no place I've ever been.

We'll be in Bamako for a few days, then on the road for a week (Segou, Mopti, Djenne, Dogon Country). I'm not sure how much Internet access I'll have in Mali, but I'll try to post occasionally. Otherwise, I'll be back on the 25th with photos and stories!