The Before

12/01/'14

This is it. Tomorrow I'm taking off. I'm leaving my home country of Holland to go on a trip of a lifetime. This trip will take me to South-Africa, Cape Town specifically. I will be living my life for two whole months in a country and even continent I've never set foot in. The thought of this is kind of scary, but a good kind of scary. I feel like I'm ready for a change. This trip is all I've been thinking of since I received the good new that I was selected to go on an exchange to South-Africa, in May last year. Now the moment of actually getting on that plane is almost here and I can't believe it. 

The packing. Where to begin. I've packed before for long holidays, meaning three or four weeks, but never for eight! I almost just wanted to stuff the whole contents of my wardrobe into my suitcase, but seeing as I only have one suitcase that was never going to work. My mom had to remind that people in South-Africa do have washing machines, I laughed and then kindly asked (begged) her to help me pack. Finally, with lots of blood sweat and tears we managed to pack all my stuff. No, I'm just kidding, no sweat and tears, just the blood. ;)

Saying my goodbyes. Now this is probably the hardest part for me. Even though they are not really good-byes, but more like see you laters, it is still weird to not see the people that you see every day for two months. All of my friends were so sweet and I have to admit they made me tear up a little. I do not know how I'm going to handle tomorrow morning at the airport, saying goodbye to my family, but let's just hope that I can manage to keep it dry. I've never been away from my family for longer than a week. So this is a big challenge for me. I've already made myself a promise though. I'm not going to let being homesick ruin my experience. I want to enjoy it to the fullest and make the best out of it, so homesickness you've been warned! 

My expectations. I don't have any really. Well no, that is a lie. Of course I have an idea of what it is going to be like, but I want to try and have an open mind and 'go with the flow' when I'm there. This way I think I will enjoy it the most and hopefully have no regrets. 

Have no regrets. That is my aim for this trip. This is a once in a lifetime experience and I want to take everything from it that I can and cherish it forever.

This was my first post of a series in which I want to record all of my impressions and experiences during my trip. I'm going to take you guys along for the ride and I really hope you will enjoy it.

Sincerely,

Paulina