Courtney - TR

36 days left until we leave for Africa. Right now that is just a number to me without any meaning. All I can think about right now is my exams. I have 3 exams this week then I am finished school.  So I should be excited (and I am), but I have a 3 week practicum BEFORE I leave for Africa. I feel that it will finally sink in the day before I leave, or knowing me when i'm about to step on the plane that all my comforts of home will be gone.

No more Starbucks; comfy bed to sleep in; HOT showers (oh i will miss you the most); crunchy organic apples; mild climate; reliable electricity (these power outages will really test me); meat (I don't eat it, but I like knowing that I could if I wanted to); personal space (I need my down time); anything dairy - I love cheese and yogurt; and a GOOD bottle of wine to drown your sorrows when you've realized that you are completely out of your element. However, leaving behind a fast-paced culture has its advantages too.  No more late night emergency vehicles, TV's, and trains hooting while i'm trying sleep; being able to SEE the stars at night; being reminded of how good you got it back at home; nice sunny weather (even though it will be really hot); being referred to as an expert (even though that thought is scary, its nice to be looked up to like that); and ALL the yoga I can partake in:)

My practicum placement is at Shanti Uganda. I am really excited about this placement. The founders are yoga instructors from Vancouver, so I will be practicing as often as I can. Shanti Uganda is a birth house for maternal mothers to give birth in a safe and clean environment. There is also a community garden, workshops for teenage girls to learn about HIV/AIDS, and arts and crafts for women to sell for income.

I feel that some of my past travelling experiences will prep me for this journey; however, I don't think you can fully prepare yourself for a place like Africa. If there is anything that I have learnt from travelling before it is to go with the flow and to learn as much as you can. I definitely know that Africa will challenge me, but I know that I will be a better person because of it.