Trip Changes

So we found out today that due to safety concerns in the Gulf of Aden, our trip has had major changes to the itinerary. Italy, Turkey, and Egypt have been replaced with Morocco, Namibia, South Africa, and Mauritius. The status of the stops in India and Thailand are still up in the air. We will not be going through the Suez Canal, but instead will be "rounding the horn."

My initial reaction was that this was great, I am now going to cross the equator. I quickly realized, that I will be missing Egypt, the port I was looking forwards to the most. I shall not see the pyramids, the sphinx, and a chance to see Zahi Hawass. Excitement gave way to disappointment and anger. Were it up to me, we would not have changed anything. Despite the news of pirate attacks, it is still a few ships out of the thousands that pass through those waters. Besides, how many people can say that they were attacked by pirates? That would have been the best souvenir. However, this gives me some impulse to continue travelling. I still want to go to Egpyt.

I now need to look into these new countries and see what there is to see there. I have wanted to go to Africa. Egypt is technically on the African continent, but culturally it is like the Middle East. Now I will be going to Africa, so that is a good point. I also like the possibility of a safari while in Africa. And a quick search about Namibia on Google led me to some magnificent red sand dune desert landscape pictures. Life has thrown me a viscious curve ball, but hell, I'm still going around the world, and I have that to look forwards to.

Prologue

In just two short months, I will be leaving the country to travel the world. Via Semester at Sea, a study abroad program focusing on global connections rather than one particular culture. I will be gone 100+ days, visiting the Bahamas, Spain, Italy, Turkey, Egypt, India, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Japan, and Guatemala. Sure, I traveled before, but nothing like this. No family or friends to begin with, not returning home for 4 months. I began this process years ago, I wanted to study abroad, but could not decide on one place. So I chose multiple countries. But now, the preparations are ending and the trip will begin shortly. I've waded through piles of paperwork, and dealt with more red tape and university bureaucrats than I care to. Vaccines, done. Visas, done. Research on what to do in every country is nearly complete. I'm left to finish this semester and then wait on January to arrive. I've been both nervous and enthusiastic, but the magnitude of what I will be doing is only recently beginning to sink in. I find myself nearly bursting with excitement, a broad smile on my face for no apparent reason.

I made this blog for everyone back in the states, as well as myself. My internet connections will be limited and possibly infrequent, but I intend to keep up with this as faithfully as possible. I expect pictures will come with most entries. I'm done working, I'm done preparing, its time to go see the world.

This program has been described as "the adventure of a lifetime." I don't intend for this to be "the adventure of a lifetime." It is merely the latest in a string on voyages. It will not be the last. Life should not have one adventure. Life is an adventure.