I leave San Francisco tonight to start my adventure. I'm trying to think of one trip at a time to make it seem less daunting, but I am packing for all of them at once. I will need very different things for the isolated house in North Carolina, the noisy bars of New York City, the swanky streets of Paris (trying to look fabulous in all of the pictures I take at various tourist spots) compared to the dusty towns of Ghana (where I will be washing all clothes by hand and purifying all water). I want to set out some goals that I could periodically look back on:
1. Appreciate the amazing opportunity you have to see all of these places.
2. Meet locals and learn about real life in each place.
3. Be adventurous with food. Eat meat if necessary or if so inspired.
4. Try to speak every language you come into contact with...even if only a phrase or two.
5. Don't shop as the main activity in any place. There are plenty of cheaper, more interesting things to do.
6. Write down recipes you want to try and cook for yourself when you can.
7. Read a lot.
8. Write a lot.
9. Take a lot of pictures, but not pictures that every other tourist will have of themselves.
10. Remember to be open-minded.
11. Enjoy the outdoors.
12. Be safe. When going out, have a buddy and be responsible with substances.
13. Go to classes. Try to be involved and engaged.
14. Send postcards.
15. Try a new art. Drawing, dancing, drumming, anything.
16. Don't second-guess or wonder what if...? You are where you are and you are staying.
17. Think of home and know they're thinking of you. But savor your time away; it's important.
18. Keep track of logistics in Boston.
19. Think of the future, but live in the present.
20. Be young, be carefree, be happy, be excited, be affectionate, be generous, be who you want to be.
And very soon, off i go...
