Counting Down ...

I have, over the past couple of weeks, assembled the pile of gear you see here.  It is an alarmingly small amount of 'stuff' for a middle-aged "first world" traveller to take for an 18 day trip abroad.

Thanks to the generosity of friends who have great gear, I can cram all of these things (and a few more, even) into a small but sturdy pack and weigh in at 16 pounds.  Some of what I've read (and you can find things that support any view, of course) suggest 10% of one's body weight as a target pack weight.  I'll let you determine how close I might be to that ... :)

Never having travelled off the continent before, I was surprised to discover that AMA is the best place to purchase Euros.  The bank, when I finally thought to go there, told me it would be a week to 10 day wait.  Given that that was 2 days ago, I felt a small flutter of panic until she suggested AMA.  Whew.  I shouldn't assume that a national bank could obtain one of the main currencies of the planet "on the spot" or even within a couple of business days.  Now I know.  You can see my cool multi-sized Euros in the center of the pic.

I am beginning to feel a little anxious ... no point in lying about that.  But it's a good kind of anxious, so far.  Gear - check.  Euros - check.  Map - check.  Work at office organized ... - partial check.  Prep at home for people being left behind - let's just say it's a good thing they are capable men who will manage in my absence.  Likely eat a lot of bacon, and maybe shrink some laundry, but they will be fine.  Max will go into a depression for the duration of my absence.  Anyone know a good pet therapist?

So ... 6 days to go.  Yikes.