To Zambia

checked in

for my mom and anyone else vicariously stalking me on a minute-by-minute basis.

er, not that my mom does that.

Wednesday, May 30th
8:35pm – depart Vancouver

Thursday, May 31st
1:40pm – arrive London Heathrow (after 9 hours in the air)
7:05pm – depart London Heathrow

Friday, June 1st
6:50am – arrive Johannesburg (after 10 hours in the air)
11:05am – depart Johannesburg
12:40pm – arrive Livingstone, Zambia

i used SeatGuru.com to ensure i got the best possible seat available in economy. plenty of leg-room (thanks, bulkhead!) on both long legs of the trip.

there were also a few small additions to my initial packing list:
- herbal sleep aid (valerian root)
- after sun lotion (just in case)
- SPF60 sunblock stick (small enough to keep in a pocket for emergency or excessive sweating)
- harness front-loading camera bag
- scrabble-to-go (gift from a lovely friend)
- a pile of audiobooks (including “The Langoliers”, Deepak Chopra, and Pullman’s trilogy)
- noise-cancelling headset (this was a tough/expensive decision, but once i learned that ALL economy seats on British Airways are either on or behind the wings, it was a no-brainer. plus, all the flying i’ll be doing in the next couple of years should make them more than worth the price.)

i will try to keep in touch and post photos (or at least updates) during the next month. your emails of well wishes are all immensely appreciated. you guys are the bestest! huge bear hugs! keep me in your thoughts with whatever god you prefer. xoxo!

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11 Responses to “To Zambia”

  1. Chris TM Says:

    WOW.

    It’s all happening.

    All the best to you on your adventure to help others!

    (remember your towels)

    :-)

  2. daisies Says:

    wow ~ the day is actually here!! I am wishing you all the best for a safe and comfortable trip. I am so excited for you and I can’t wait to hear about your adventures …

    wow. wow. wow.

    :)

  3. kev Says:

    The Langoliers? That’s _funny_, and one of my favourite shorts of his (and The Simpsons tribute was equally awesome).

    Have a wonderful time, looking forward to hearing about it.

  4. Joe Lucas Says:

    Jen, Have a safe trip. The headset will keep you from going crazy.
    You are doing a wonderful thing. I hope some day I can meet you and in person.
    Will be following you along. Be safe and enjoy.

  5. roger Says:

    Best of luck. Be safe.
    So impressed you are doing this.

  6. dan Says:

    Rock on. Good Luck and have a great trip Jen!

    Now you’ll be one of those people at gatherings that begins a conversation with “When I was in Zambia…”

    Safe travels,
    Dan

  7. Memeza Says:

    Congratulations on visiting Zambia. You should arrive ready for a country that will impact you in so many ways. We hope you leave with stories, memories and a desire to visit again.

  8. nonstop Says:

    Have a wonderful, safe journey!

  9. shan Says:

    have a safe trip, jen! a friend of mine did a nursing stint in zambia a few years ago and it was *amazing*… i have no doubt that your experience will be equally so :)

  10. Allison Says:

    Yay! The adventure begins! I look forward to the enthralling stories and amazing pictures to come! :)

  11. 9 months down, 11 to go… : jenniferhawke.com: med school blog Says:

    [...] as usual, the month positively flew by. this time last year, i was en route to Zambia. can you believe it? can you believe everything that has happened in these 12 short months? [...]

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