Less than a week till departure...

I have to admit that I have been to some pretty cool places and done some pretty cool things. I traveled to Siberia for a month in 2006 where I helped to build a trail along Lake Baikal, the largest freshwater lake in the world, holding 20% of the Earth's fresh water (see my journal here http://www.hws.edu/academics/biology/sliwinski.aspx). I went to New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina to help gut houses that had been flooded and were coated in a layer of black mold and dead (and often live) cockroaches. I just spent five weeks in Hawaii, the first at a wildlife conference in beautiful Waikaloa Village, the remaining four on a small family farm near Hilo. I learned to milk goats and how to make cheese, and learned to appreciate the almost-constant rain.

For my Masters degree I did research in southwestern Saskatchewan, one of the most beautiful places I  ever had the privilege of experiencing. There I learned about all sorts of new species I never even imagined, and met some of the best, most honest and hardworking people I have ever known. I was up at 4:00 am to do bird surveys, and I was out in thunderstorms that threatened my very existence, and I ate prairie oysters. To say the least, the prairies changed me, and I will keep going back. But for now, there is a different brand of adventure at my doorstep. In 6 days, I board a plane for Kenya.

My decision to travel to Kenya was not an easy one, and I had the webpage for purchasing plane tickets up at least 3 times before clicking the "purchase" button. I have 3 friends from the Natural Resources Institute at the University of Manitoba that went to the same place I'll be going, so it comes highly recommended. I also have felt the need to travel the world, probably since high school. However, I don't know what kind of traveling I will enjoy most. Maybe I can be a solo traveler and really enjoy myself, or maybe I will discover that I might be happy with a traveling buddy. Perhaps I'll discover (although I hope not) that I really enjoy going to beautiful places, but want to stay in luxury. I am hoping that this trip will help solidify the kind of traveler I am. After all, it is for 3 months, three times longer than any other trip I've taken!

I will be stationed with an organization called A Rocha Kenya, near Watamu. This is a Christian organization that does "creation care", they basically do the type of hands-on conservation work and eco-tourism that I am interested in pursuing. I can't say truthfully that I am a practicing Christian, but I do agree with conservation and encouraging people to take care of the planet, whether it be because God created it, or because it is simply worth conserving for its own intrinsic value.

While in Kenya, I hope to see lots of new bird species, sea turtles, elephants, and new and colorful insects. I have not made any plans for a safari as of yet, but it is at the top of my list for exploring the options once I arrive. To travel to Kenya and not go on a safari would seem like a waste, so I will do my best to make it happen. As for now, I am making sure that I have all my paperwork in order, that I have all the medications I need, and getting my pile of luggage ready. I am excited and nervous, but mostly looking forward to this next adventure.