Leaving on a Jet Plane... For Training

Everything is checked in, have my boarding pass and I'm just waiting to go.

The very kind people at WestJet let me through without paying for my extra bag because my flights overseas allowed me extra baggage (also the woman informed me that she was a Scorpio too and apparently Scorpio's like to do good in the world). Despite my attempts to weigh my bags they were slightly over. Turns out balancing things precariously on bathroom scales does not give an accurate read out. So I had to shuffle things around. I picked up an extra tote for carry-on and its all fine now.  I think I should be okay for my flight overseas because I'll have more in my carry-on then too. 

So now I'm just completing my pre-flight rituals:

1. Purchased peanut m&ms and water;
2. Bought the thickest fashion magazine I could get my hands on;
3. Found some empty seats to sprawl out on and eat my lunch since space will be in short supply for the next 7.5 hours

This seemed like I was waiting forever to get started on my trip and then the last few days just flew by. Goodbye Toronto! I will see you in 6 months.

How to Move All Your Things in 24 Hours or Less

Step 1: Make sure you have your stuff everywhere

Step 2: Really make a mess of the place

Step 3: Decide to go and get junk food

Step 4: Hide and hope it all goes away

Step 5: Wake up and really get down to business

Step 6: Decide what is most important to you

Step 7: Put as much as you can in suitcases and duffel bags

Step 9: Rejoice in the knowledge you're almost done

Step 10: Tidy up a bit

Step 11: Get a reward for a job well done

It was a whirlwind but somehow I managed to get it all done. 

Just 3 more sleeps and then I'm off for training.

Saying Goodbye to My City of Origin

I have to say goodbye to my city of origin for awhile and I have been visiting my favourite restaurants before I go. Here is a list of my must-eat places before I take off.

1. Seventh Sister Bakery
Where would I be without you? I can tell you where I would be, smoked salmon bagel-less! That's where I would be!  And also lacking in croissant, chocolate banana muffins, extra butter-bean coffee and other very delicious things.  I hit up this local bakery every weekend and it never disappoints.  The only thing that would make it better is for it to be open at 7:30 so I could swing by on my way to work... or maybe it's better that it's closed?  Check it out



2. Queen and Beaver
The best of British food in Toronto.  I actually had my birthday here last year because I was so in love with their menu. It doesn't matter if you do brunch, pub food or full dinner, it's all wonderful. For my goodbye meal I went for Fish and Chips because it's a classic. But whatever I eat from the menu, there is always one thing that never changes; I must have sticky toffee pudding and no sharing because, let's be honest, I really want to eat the whole thing myself. Check it out




3. La Carnita
Toronto is experiencing a Mexican explosion and I, for one, am extremely grateful. I did my MA in Chicago and ever since I left I've missed good Mexican taco joints. La Carnita totally hits the spot. There are plenty of individual tacos for order and other appetizers. I went last week and we had cod, chicken and pulled pork. All good, but I have to say the cod was the best.A great place, though I suggest getting there early if you don't want to stand in line forever waiting for a table. (Also I know you don't think you'll finish a pitcher of margaritas but...)Check it out




4. The Auld Spot
Before I moved to the west side of Toronto, I lived east of the DVP and I have to thank my brother for introducing me to this place. This is where we take all out-of-town visitors. Its a gastro pub that doesn't act like a gastro pub. The food is superb and creative without being pretentious.  I would say eat off the specials board as much as you can, though I don't blame you for being distracted by their regular menu- it's pretty spectacular too. 
Check it out

5. County General This is another of those places that I have a deep and abiding love for.  The drink menu is incredible and constantly changing.  I've tried just about everything on their food menu, but I think they do just about the most perfect burger ever and you should go with that... unless you are a die-hard fried chicken fan and then it's no contest. It's also one of those places that defies the fries or salad dilemma. Normally the fries vs. salad is a healthy vs. not health decision. But here its actually a war of competing desires because their Boston leaf lettuce salad is amazing and the perfect balance to their food. Though their fries... see this is my problem! Check it out

Things I'm Really Excited and Nervous About

So, getting ready for long trips abroad is always a mix of really exciting and really nerve racking.  Tomorrow will be one month until I board my plane for Tanzania but I'm leaving Toronto to go for training on May 30th (eek so close!).  I'm starting to walk around with that "I'm about to jump off the diving board" feeling in my stomach. It's going to be great but its also going to be a big adjustment.  I previously spent a year in Sub-Saharan Africa but I've never been to Tanzania and this is a different set up from what I did last time. So, to purge some of my nervous energy I thought I'd put together a list of the things that are making my mind spin.

1. My Co-workers 
Starting a new job is always exciting and scary. Now throw in a whole new country and a cross-cultural environment and you've got yourself the same situation times 10. It sounds like our office will be a fairly small, tight-knit group and I think that will provide a really great opportunity to work closely and learn from people who work directly with the community.

2. My Roommates and Fellow Interns
We have chatted over Facebook and a bit on Skype, so we are starting to get to know each other. There will be four of us in total in Dar Es Salaam and we'll all be living together. Though I've done my share of co-habiting, I've had my own place for the past year and I know that communal living will take some adjustments.

3. Housing
We don't know exactly where we will be living yet (Not that I have any sort of detailed knowledge of Dar). We will probably need to do a lot of the furnishing of the place ourselves. I have done this before and its one of those tasks guaranteed to immerse you totally in the culture right from the get go. With all the shops and bargaining, its like being thrown right into the deep end (we seem to have an ongoing swimming pool metaphor going on here... don't know how to explain that but lets just go with it).

4. The To Do List
Packing up and moving my place. Packing up my stuff for my trip. Last minute shopping. And learning Swahili. And placing my phone on hold. And spending time with people before I go. And getting my presentation done... I keep crossing things off my list and then remembering something I haven't put on it.

5. What Will I Do When I Get Back?
I know some people will be going, "Seriously? You are thinking about this now?" Yes, yes I am.  I have had a somewhat changeable existence (This will be the 4th country and 5th city in 6 years).  This is something that I accept and embrace as part of the career I have chosen.  I like to think of myself as having a high level of adaptability. But one of the ways I make it work is by keeping a half an eye on what is on the distant horizon.  This is a six month posting and I know that horizon will come very fast-  so allow me my idiosyncrasies.

Standing on the edge of the board makes me more nervous than finally jumping.
Can't wait to be actually underway!

Introducing A Whole Pile of Stuff...

Haul

1. Large zip-close bag (got this from Marshalls but its Olive + Joy) I wanted something that will be big enough to fit my laptop when needed, but won't look like a laptop case.  ; 2. Sun Hat (from Anthropologie) it fits with both my hair up or down and doesn't hit my sunglasses when I wear them together (a very important style necessity); 3. Sleeveless Blouses (mostly from Forever 21) need something professional but cool; 4. Conditioner and Shampoo (from Winners but I've bought this brand from Salons before) these bottles are enough to last pretty much forever; 5. Long Dress (Target but can't find it online) this is about the 4th one I have and I figure what is good for Toronto hot and humid will do for Tanzania hot and humid; 6. Bright Green Dress Pants (from Gap) mainly because too much black is boring and hot... these are cropped to ankle length; 7. Black Pencil Skirt (from Banana Republic its not this one exactly because i got it clearance) work wear is pretty formal in Tanzania, this one is just bellow knee length which is properly modest too; 8. Good Shoes (Sperry Top Sider but picked up at Winners) leather so they can be cleaned, good cushioning for lots of walking; 9. Plain tanks (H&M basics) luckily conservative dress means longer skirts but not covered shoulders so I can stay nice and cool in these tanks.

(Note: Most of this I picked up in Chicago when I was visiting so some of it might be hard to find in Canada)

I'm going to be sewing a couple of other items and I already had a number of things that would work for my trip.  Will post some of what I make and I will guarantee you a final packing post... it promises to be epic.