Out Of My Comfort Zone

"Fear can hold you prisoner, hope can set you free..."

The above quote was used in the advertising campaign for my all-time favourite movie, The Shawshank Redemption, and is one which has always held me in good stead as I make my way through this journey called life. If you are fearful of making changes, then you run the risk of one day wondering what if...
This is why I have always been willing to relocate in my persuit of happiness, and effectively start over, time and time again.

As my African adventure rapidly approaches, one of the suprising concerns some people seem to raise is with regards to my safety. Whilst you may well hear horror stories of travel nightmares, I always like to speak as I find, and go into new countries with open eyes and excitable expectation. After all, where is safe these days in this crazy world? I spent many happy times in Christchurch, New Zealand for instance, but I could never have imagined the devastating earthquake that hit this lovely city a few years after I left. Just watch the news on tv and there are disasters everywhere; on your doorstep, as well as all around the world. If you listened to all the doom-and-gloom merchants, then you'll become paranoid with fear and never leave the house...besides, I spent a few months living in the Chalvey area of Slough, and believe me...if you can survive there, then you can survive anywhere! Lol.

I must admit to a small sense of nervousness, but I think this is just because I am going to be existing outside of my comfort zone. But please be rest assured, I am travelling to major towns and cities in Kenya, and I know that Nancy will take good care of me!
In fact, our plans have slightly changed. We are now only spending my initial night of arrival in Nairobi, before embarking on a bus trip to Kisumu, where we will now stay at Nancy's parents house. This is a lovely gesture by them, and one which humbles me greatly; the fact that they are happy to accept me into their home to be alongside their daughter, and let us use this as a base as we explore all the surrounding areas together is wonderfully kind of them. This will also enable me to sample a slice of genuine Kenyan culture, an experience which excites me greatly.
Another safety precaution that I've undertaken is to copy all my travel documentation and e-mail it to myself as well as to a dear friend, so in an emergency there is another way of accessing all my details.

So, just under three weeks to go until my adventure commences...
I used last week to sort out many things for my trip, and to finalise some arrangements.
My outgoing and returning flight to Nairobi are both booked; my hotel for the night before I depart in Heathrow is booked; my travel to this hotel has been booked; the hotel for Nancy & I to stay on the night of my arrival in Nairobi is booked; Nancy's bus fare from Kisumu to Nairobi has been arranged; my travel insurance has been sorted; all my vaccinations have been administered; my malaria medication has been sourced, ordered, and received; all my holiday clothes have been purchased...so I think I have more-or-less everything covered now!

Nancy & I have chatted every single day since we first met on-line...and now our mutual anticipation and excitement is reaching fever pitch! Her young daughter, Jojo, her sister, Lucy, and the rest of her family and friends are all aware of my impending visit, and they seem to be equally excited. The hard thing to do now is to keep a lid on my emotions, keep my head down as I work through the next few weeks, and to try to contain my excitement as March 30th approaches. We are both counting down the days, and without meaning to wish our lives away, we both hope that the end of the month hurrys up!

Until next time, I'll leave you with another quote from my favourite movie which retains the optimistic outlook on life, giving hope to the present as well as the future...

" Remember, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies..."

Steve Muskett