It's been a hectic week. For a while it seems like there is all the time in the world and suddenly everything is a rush. First I found that a cache of surgical instruments that I had been squirreling away in the garage went missing. A desperate two day scramble ensued producing almost more (better too) stuff than I can carry. People and institutions have been so generous. The next challenge will be getting a 70 lb. extra suitcase past airline officials. I'll let you know how that goes.
The details are endless. Hotel reservations en route, bus reservations. Yes you need a reservation to go from Mbeya to Sumbawanga. Otherwise you may get to share a seat with a chicken or goat. I did that last year and the chicken was fascinated with my camera strap, pecking at it and occasionally missing and leaving dimples in my shoulder.
Packing has not been easy. One suitcase for me and two full of medical equipment. My carry one has all photography equipment and a little space for personal items and that's it. Fortunately my wardrobe is tee shirts, scrubs, jeans and a few things to keep warm. The expected weather there at 6000 feet 200 miles below the equator is 70s in the daytime and 40s at night.
I've been in contact with the doctors in Sumbawanga and they tell me they are gathering surgical cases from the entire district. The equipment I'm bringing will make a big difference, bringing them forward a half century in capability. I can hardly wait to see everyone's faces when we start unwrapping it all.
So, now is the time to finish last minute packing, get some rest and get ready to set out. Are we ever completely ready for a trip like this? Probably not but that's part of the adventure.
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