The strangest part of planning such an abstract vision is having it actually realized. But now that we know it will occur within a year or so, I have been having trouble grounding myself. Even still, as we unfold the world map before us on the kitchen table and discuss countries we'd like to visit, it never sinks in that we will one day actually visit them.
On our way home from the airport a few weekends ago, Jeff and I got to discussing luggage and what might be required for such a journey. I had envisioned all of us with smart little back-packs and hard-sided carry-on sized matching luggage. I stated as much. Jeff shook his head and asked me whether I had considered that I might need to use my bag as a pillow at some point during the trip, and thus, I ought to reconsider the hard exterior of my carry-on. This immediately brought images of the four of us sleeping in road-side ditches somewhere in Arusha, Tanzania. I freaked. And it made me understand that it was possible we had completely different visions of this trip.
It's not like I need to be endlessly pampered, locked up in five star hotel compounds along the way. But I do REALLY appreciate shelter. And warmth. But then I realized the purpose of this trip: to experience everything. And everything means everything, including discomfort and fear. The most difficult revelation that I've had to come to terms with is that my life is simply too comfortable, and often, too easy. Part of the appeal of this trip is the chance to be constantly challenged, and truthfully, to yank us and the kids out of the ease of our lives.
To help fulfill this objective, I have added an interesting adventure in Morocco. That ought to shake things up!
Ultimately, that is the goal. In the meantime, I'd better go look for some soft-sided, smart luggage.
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