packing for this year's trip to Ethiopia -much different than last year

There's 24 days to go-

Big things to do:

• childproof our home for children
• finish putting together the kids bedroom
• organize our crap and de-clutter our house
  
• get all of my household affairs set for what could be 1 month away from home or perhaps as many as 4-5.
  

Last year (I left March 13th of last year) I was going crazy- preparing for what was the biggest trip of my life at the time.

nervous, I brought so much stuff with me last year- that I had to pay an extra 150.00 for the weight of my luggage (and mailed 2 large boxes ahead of time). Let's just say- I brought -EVERYTHING...Gifts, clothes, donations, medications, toiletries, toys, teaching stuff, books, light blankets, pillows, etc...



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(an excerpt from a post written last January:

Now that it's "real" or "more real" I'm getting nervous. Oh my! I'll let you all know when I receive my assignment. Now the realities sink in- squat toilets? Cold showers? fleas? parasites? boiling water?- It's all a lot to think about when you are use to our pampered daily lives. I have a feeling I'm really going to miss "squeezing the Charmin"! I can just hear the border patrol now!- Pardon me Mam- but are you planning on selling all of this toilet paper or do you believe we do not have it here? -laugh. At least it's not heavy..so I don't have to worry about the weight of my suitcase- ha ha. It reminds me of when our Exchange Student from China Unpacked. Some of the items she brought with her just made me giggle because she wasn't certain if we would have them or not. And of course, we did.)

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This year the planning is much different.

• Instead of worrying about medicine- I'm thinking about gifts.
• Instead of worrying about getting "giardia", I along with most of the world- I already have it and am living just fine with it. Your body gets use to it, and unless somebody wants to play in my poop (a friendship that I would really have to question) I really don't have to worry about it. laugh.
  
• Instead of concerning myself with leaving my home- I know everything will be fine.

Last year-I left a much more "youthful" adult than the one that is returning this year. This past year - reflecting on my experiences, I am going back to Ethiopia with more valuable items than the things I brought last year:

• more confidence in my independent travel skills,
• a stronger more communicative marriage and confidence that Denis and Geneva will be fine,
• an understanding of the privileges granted by my birthplace passport.
  

The rest of my packing list from last year - I really can get there or live with out for a few months.