So everything is just about in place for my trip. I have my round trip ticket ($1,380), my passport is in order (aka: I know where it is.), I will be getting my visa this Saturday, I have an appointment for my vaccinations on the 18th, and thanks to donations by various family members (thank you!!!) I am closing in on my program fee.

It's exciting to think that this is really going to happen. I've been in contact with the program mananger for CCS in Tanzania, and have found out that i will be working with people from all over the US and from around the wrold. It's nice to know that i will be able to meet people from all over while i do some good in Tanzania. I've also learned that the male to female ratio is about 1 to 6. In that respect it will be like my studying abroad expierance in Italy.

I've also been studying a little Swahili in preperation for my trip. My history in studying other languages is not exactly steller. At this point I am really only trying to learn inportant phrases and greatings. Once I'm in Tanzania I may be able to pick up some more. It is a good thing that English is spoken by many, if not a majority, of the people in Tanzania.

Reasons

So, people seem to want to know why I am doing this. there are lots of good reasons I can give, the search for adventure, wanting to help other people, needing to escape from post college life back at home. All of those are probably true, some more than others perhaps, but I realized today that all though those are all valuable reasons they are not the main idea behind my wanting to go.

I was reading through a book today and came across an excerpt from a poem by Robert Frost. It started with, "Nothing to look backward on with pride," and continued, "Isn't that a sad summation of life?"

I realize that is perhaps the leading emotion behind my decision. I if do this, and nothing else grand in life, I can still look back and say, "I did that." I spent all my money, and traveled to the other side of the world to help people i never met. In the end, I suppose, its for me more than anyone else that I'm going.

Update

Today I put in another $225 toward my program fee, bringing me to an even $1,000 payed so far. I am trying to put in a few hundred every week; I would pay more off at once, but I'm still a little worried about my car breaking down and want to keep some money in the bank just in case.

I worry sometimes that I wont have enough money to pull this off. I should have enough money for the program itself, but I don't know how much vaccines will cost, how much will the plane cost, will i have enough money to take with me, how much will my documents cost, and so on. I suppose I will just have to save my money and do what I can. Working two jobs as we get closer to the Christmas season should help me get there.

On a side note, my boss at the JC Penny photo studio thinks that i want to become a studio manager someday. I don't know exactly how to tell her that i will be leaving in February. For now, I am going to wait to tell her.

Today I also have to find out where i can get the vaccines I need. Can i go to Dr. Scifo? St. Vincents? I bet the Yale Medical Center would have them. I Just hope they wont cost too much, with no insurance its all got to come out of pocket.

To do list

Ok, so it's time to start getting some things done. Before i get on the plain to Tanzania i have to make sure that I am at lest some what prepared. My list of things to do includes, but is not limited to:

1. Getting Vaccines for:
-Rabies
-Yellow Fever
-Polio
-Measles, Mumps, Rubella (booster shot)
-Hepatitis A and B
-Meningitis
-Typhoid
-Tetanus (booster shot)
*plus Malaria pills.

2. Complete various forms

3. Get a Visa from Tanzania

4. Get a plane ticket

5. Pay off the balance of my program fee. (apx. $5,000 as of today)

6. Learn as much Swahili as possible.

7. Whatever else I forgot.

I've got a lot to do.

In other blog news, I finally have access to a digital camera, so the blog will start to actually have something to look at soon! So in theory, people could both read the entries and look at corrisponding pictures. As soon as i get some people to read this I might actually have something going here.

A little more detail

OK, so a little more detail is in order. I found a program called Cross Cultural Solutions who works in countries around the world. In some ways it is like a mini version of the Peace Corp, with programs that last up to three months. They work with communities in need to help with a variety of issues including, but not limited to; caring for children, teaching children, teaching English, and caring for people with HIV/AIDS.

Cross Cultural Solutions is a not for profit organization founded in 1995 to help spread international cooperation and understanding between different peoples of the world. More than 15,000 volunteers have gone through the programs offered by CCS and worked in various locations in 12 countries around the world.

For more information about CCS visit their web site at:

http://www.crossculturalsolutions.org/default.asp

I have always enjoyed helping other people, and in the past have thought about joining the Peace Corp. Working with the CCS program will let me have an experience like the Peace Corp, while also giving me the chance to give back to the world. If I do try to join the Peace Corp someday this experience will also look very good on my application. (as it turns out, there isn't much need for Fine Arts major in most third world countries.) Hopefully this will be a little adventure where I can do my part to make the lives of others a little better.

First Post

Hello,
For those of you who don't know me, my name is Allen Baird. A few days ago I signed up to volunteer in Tanzania early next year. I will be there for three months, beginning in February, in the area around Mt. Kilimanjaro. Over the next several months I will be getting ready for my adventure, saving my money, planing the details of my trip, getting vaccination's, and learning as much Swahili as possible.

I have started this blog to keep my friends and family updated on the progress of my adventre, both here at home, and once I arrive in Tanzania. This will be easier, and much less annoying, than constantly calling everyone I know to update them on my status and to beg for contributions.

I suppose that covers the basics for now, I'll get into more of the details in the comming days.