Generally speaking, everything starts tomorrow. I'll start eating better tomorrow. I'll start my yoga practice back up tomorrow. I'll start a journal tomorrow. But alas, something that is really happening tomorrow is that we begin our journey to Madagascar. Washington, D.C. is our first stop before we depart for Johannesburg, South Africa and then, finally, Madagascar.

Tom and I have been finding every excuse to spend as much money as we possibly can before we leave. And it doesn't really matter what we are buying—electronics (don't ask about this one as we won't have electricity), food, clothing... as long as we are handing over the card de credit. And it is a good thing that the airlines have baggage weight limits. Surprisingly, I am not taking too many articles of clothing but we have just about everything else except for the proverbial kitchen sink—pharmaceuticals (my mom is an ER nurse), bike gear (we should be issued bikes in Madagascar), natural home remedies (macrobiotic staples like kuzu, miso, and umeboshi plums), books and gifts. I have no doubt that we will be comfortable wherever we end up on the island. It makes me wonder about my idea of “roughing it”. I have backpacked for several months at a time and never thought twice about body care products (besides the “use if for everything” Dr. Bronner's soap). But for this trip, I've got to have my cleanser, toner and moisturizer (visit www.sukinaturals.com for some kick ass products). Now is this a first world affliction and will I ever be “immersed” into a third world culture with my mom back in the states replenishing my body care product supply?

One thing that Tom and I remind ourselves of is that we have all we need even if we just take the clothes on our back. It is just a matter of getting used to (check back with me on that in 6 months!).

I had some mounting anxiety about this trip but with departure on tomorrow's horizon, I am super excited and my confidence has grown. I feel blessed to get to be apart of the Peace Corps (again, check back with me in 6 months) and to be immersed into a foreign culture. We'll certainly keep everyone posted as best we can and we'll love to hear about your adventures too! Send pictures as we'd like to add you to our photo album.

Much love,

Faith