the planning process

As I began planning my trip months ago, someone sent me an article about how a traveler's level of happiness is greater when they are planning their trip than when they are actually experiencing it. At first glance, this seemed strange; how can a trip itself be less enjoyable than the anticipation of it?

My friends can attest that planning this trip has made me pretty damn happy, but I'd personally say that it has also made me pretty frustrated at times. Naturally, people have been concerned about my safety, which is valid, but it puzzles me when the most common statement I hear is some alteration of "Africa isn't very safe/stable." It puzzles me that an entire continent can be stereotyped so harshly and that all 54 countries may seem inherently unsafe through someone's perspective. South Africa is my first stop, and for many this part of my journey seems the most "secure," but in reality some of the highest crime rates in the continent happen in Cape Town and Johannesburg. Yet, when I mention that I'm traveling to Rwanda, the violence and instability of the 1994 genocide comes to the forefront of peoples' perceptions, rather than what the modern country has truly progressed into. Through planning this trip, I have started to even question my own judgments and implicit biases of what "Africa" and each of these countries mean to me. It's the age-old question of: "how do we know what we know?" I know, super meta and philosophical, but I guess I think it's valuable (and underrated in this case) to critically question how we think and judge a continent / countries / cultures, and really what brought us to those kinds of conclusions.

The greatest joy that I have found in planning this trip has been through connecting with people who have traveled to or lived in the countries that we're planning to explore. From coffee dates to emails to Facebook messages, I have been introduced to some fascinating humans. I have been told blunt and detailed advice about crime and safety concerns (shout out for mom). I have been given recommendations of museums, beautiful hikes, and day-trips. I have heard awe-inspiring stories about the families and individuals that they met. Hearing each person's personal experience has only made me more excited to create my own. As I talked to Emmeline on the phone while we procrastinated packing (oops), we both agreed how important it is to stay grounded while exploring these areas. To listen and observe. To be cognizant and intentional about where and with whom we're spending our time. To have something that isn't quite a vacation these next nine weeks.

All in all, I am most looking forward to the personal stories and anecdotes that we'll hear from the people that we meet while we're abroad. Maybe the study in the article will be accurate for me, and the planning process will be the high of the trip, but I have a solid feeling that it won't be. Sure, certain hikes or landmarks may have a different reality than our expectations... There will likely be some plot twists, ambiguity, and culture shock ahead, and I'm genuinely looking forward to it. See you in nine weeks, Seattle!

Helpful websites:

www.kayak.com (usually better deals than Expedia)

www.fastjet.com (budget airline)

www.hostelworld.com

www.lonelyplanet.com

www.utrip.com