The Fun Begins

One month to go. I've been dreaming about this trip for at least 7 years, and now that I try to remember, I don't even know how I got the idea in the first place. My itinerary is pretty unsettled, but I plan to start in Hong Kong and make my way through China, Tibet, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and Burma. I'll be leaving on June 8, 2009.

"But that's monsoon season!" you say. And you're right: but this is the only time I have to travel, and I'm hoping to save a few bucks here and there what with it being low season.

I have two serious goals for my travels:
1. To take a cooking class in every country I visit; and
2. To get a picture of me with a bowl of rice in every town I stay in (this one's based on the smart-ass remarks of my someone special).

Otherwise I want (of course) to explore the architectural, natural, and cultural wonders of these regions, make a fool out of myself trying to speak the language, meet some interesting people, and avoid getting malaria.

I'm starting this blog a month before my travels begin, in case anyone is interested in what it takes to get ready for a trip of this sort. If you could care less, tune in on June 9, when I touch down in Hong Kong, exhausted and jet-lagged. You can subscribe if you want to, and you'll be notified any time I post a new blog (right now it'll be touch and go, but once on the road I plan to blog every day).

Lots of things to prepare for: I went to the optometrist today to get some new contact lenses for the road. Dr. Wong looks like he should have some sort of Asian accent, but he has an even heavier Texas drawl than most. He finished examining my eyes, and told me about a new-fangled super-fancy brand-new contact lens that I should buy.

"Thaay're jest great. They have a blue locator tint, and the letters 'O-K' on 'em so ya know ye're puttin' 'em in the raaaht way."

Fantastic. I wonder what optically-unchallenged genius decided that people who can't see to begin with would be able to read the miniscule letters in the first place, especially first thing in the morning.

I also went to REI to take advantage of their sale. My mission: comfortable, fast-drying underwear. Not because I plan on wetting myself all that often, but since I'm only taking 3 pair, I'll be doing laundry A LOT.

Other sundries were a waterproof backpack liner, a 72-capsule pack of Immodium, 100% DEET mosquito spray, a universal drain plug (for washing all that underwear), hand sanitizer, and some extra earplugs.

I also found the coolest thing - EVER - at Wal-Mart: a Micro Photo Keeper. It's essentially a tiny pillbox-sized digital photo storage device. I think it was designed for 12-year old girls, judging by the flowers on the front, the pink packaging, and the fact that it can be worn as a necklace. But it's perfect for my needs: both to keep pictures of my loved ones to stave off loneliness, and a way to show people that I meet what my home, friends, and family look like.

Of course it was packaged as though it contained nuclear materials: I had to cut through with my mom's meat scissors to get it open (see photo), only to realize that I cut through the CD that had the software to make it run.

It's amazing how much damage a CD can take and still work...


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