One month to go

So I've finally got around to sorting myself out cyberly and have set up this blog to allow all you nosy busybodies out there to follow my progress after I step out solo into the big bad world. I guess this blog will be devoted to the first part of my travels to begin with, on the long road to Costa Rica (and Nicaragua).

Leaving on the 8th February, I will be spending 10 weeks working in both of the aforementioned countries as part of a philanthropic organisation called Raleigh International (which I'm sure will ring a few bells...). I am yet to discover my exact location to be, but the set-up goes a little something like this: the expedition is divided into 3 sections, roughly- 3 weeks environmental work, 3 weeks community work, 3 weeks trekking. I think there is a group of about 60 of us going, and we're divided into smaller posses of about 15 or so. We have all been informed of a list of potential projects, but I have to wait until my introduction weekend at the end of this week to find out exactly which of those I will be working on. This is what I know for certain- I will at some point be staying with local families, communicating in spanish and learning about their (in some regions) indigenous culture, one of the parts of the trip which I am most looking forward to. I will be putting hard graft into various construction projects- indicated rather worryingly by the kit list's requirement for "working gloves"...something which I am however confident I will get stuck into, despite my complete lack of knowledge in said area...and I will be cooking/washing/sleeping/working/surviving out of one measely 65L rucksack, something which I am yet to come to terms with, and plan to tackle as close to the leaving date as possible due to well...sheer fear at the basic quantities of possessions I will in the end be able to take with me- although I'm sure it would be wise to nip it in the bud...still...every time I spy my pack in the corner of the hallway I am filled with what can only be described as an ominous foreboding.

Anyway, enough of my materialistic panicking. I am trying to tick everything off of my "to do before I leave" list, including my final rabies shots...yes that facebook update was a joke and I am in fact, and always have been clear of the disease...getting my malaria pills, buying last minute kit (including one very flattering steve irwin-esque kaki hat to keep the rays off of my noggin), head torches, a bountiful supply of antimalarial products, US visa waivers and the contemplation of packing. A month to go then off into the wilderness.

Bring it on.