It’s just after midnight. I’m hopping into a taxi in less than five hours and am heading to South Africa. By the time I reach my first destination, I will have taken a taxi, a car, a private shuttle, and two flights to South Africa. It will take me about 25 hours. I’m excited and nervous all at the same time. But mostly excited! I have a great group of very bright and talented students that will meet me there in a week who have an entrepreneurial spirit and are eager to dive right in. This region of South Africa is new to me so it will be quite a cultural learning curve. Most of these students have never even stepped foot in Africa so I believe I have my work cut out for me. I’m hoping they simply fall in love with the continent as much I have.
While my mind takes a rest from modern amenities, so too will my fingers. I might be typing away on my computer for work reports and the occasional saved email, but I will have extremely limited access to Internet. While I do have a dongle (a USB stick you can use with a SIM card for Internet access) that I figured out how to unlock last time I was in Africa, I’m not sure that I will get it to work this time. And frankly, I’m looking forward to a blogging and technology break. There is a possibility that I can schedule a few posts to go up here and there- I’d really love to wrap up my posts on Barcelona and also give some updates from the field. Hopefully I can make that happen; and, I will have Internet off and on for the first week. With that said, even if I don’t post for the majority of the time I’m in South Africa, I haven’t fallen off the face of the Earth, and I will revive this blog upon my return!
Speaking of return, I get back in mid-August, and turn around two days later to embark on a 7-week road trip across the United States with a friend from Germany. I do hope to get the rough intinerary posted on my blog before I get back because I will need your help! I’m looking for suggestions on hidden gems along the way, wacky monuments, hole-in-the-wall food stops, and even a couch to crash on! So, keep your eyes peeled for that one.
I appreciate everyone’s love, support, and friendship in the travel and blogging community. I have met so many unbelievably talented people who continue to inspire and encourage me on a day-to-day basis. I wouldn’t have come across this job, in fact, if it weren’t for an indirect link sent to me by a fellow traveler. Life is funny sometimes that way.
I wish everyone a fantastic and exciting summer and hope to catch up with you all when I return!
Happy Travels~
Laura
This is a great new adventure full of what I would imagine are new and challenging experiences – and that’s what it’s all about. Hope you have a great time.
Enjoy! Jealous. As always =)
Can’t wait to hear about your summer! Enjoy all of the relationship building and new adventures and we’ll be here when you get back.
Oh my gosh have a wonderful time and what an opportunity this is for you. We’ll be here waiting to read all about your adventures when you post again!
Oh wow, darling girl I wish you the most extraordinary journey!!! I’ll be thinking of you over these next couple of months…
Hey Laura,
Sounds great! I’m not sure exactly what you’ll be doing there but I’m off to troll through older posts to get the scoop. But I know you love South Africa so it’s great you get an opportunity to get back there.
If you happen to pass through Rwanda again, give me a shout!
Cheers,
Kirsty
Wow- this is so awesome! Good luck with everything. I look forward to reading your posts (as usual) when you have the time :) Happy and safe traveling!
Sounds exciting! If your US road trip brings you anywhere close to Michigan, my wife and I are good for a free meal and a place to crash. (not many people put Detroit on a cross country road trip, however!)
Have fun in South Africa!
Your road trip is coming up soon. I remembered you told me about it on Twitter. You’re gonna have so much fun. Have you finish planning it yet?
Good luck with everything.Look forward to reading your posts about this adventure.Safe traveling!
Laura,
Sounds like an incredible adventure! I actually did something similar two springs ago in Uganda but on a smaller scale. I spent about a week living with a family in rural Uganda and consulted to a women’s micro enterprise there. It was definitely challenging but a really great experience!
Hope you have great time over there :)
Sometimes taking a break is a good thing, and doing so to enjoy your travels is the best excuse! I hope you have a great time and can’t wait to hear more about your stories once you’re back to the connected world.
Have a great time in Africa, Laura! South Africa is such an amazing place. I hope you enjoy it there!
Fun, we’re doing the reverse! I’m currently on a six-week road trip (then another two-week cross-country drive in August) and THEN I return to South Africa in September! Can’t wait to see your pictures from there.
Be safe! Can’t wait to hear all about it! <3