Cooper Breeden

I'm making some last minute preparations for the trip right now (1:00 AM, 8 hours prior to departure). I hate long flights, and that's why I'm awake. Hopefully my artificial insomnia will allow me to sleep a significant portion of our long flight. While I shirk sleep and wait for songs to upload I'll share a few thoughts from my silly, wearied brain.

I have been hanging out with Travis and David for a couple months now, seen pictures of the village, heard all about Faith, watched videos of giant spiders chasing several grown men around, and listened to stories about bowel congestion, but when I try to imagine what it's going to be like in each of the countries we will be visiting I still only have a vague conception of what it will be like. Oddly enough, their stories about giant spiders and other more dangerous things make me even more excited. I guess traveling in developing countries is one way to heighten my sense of adventure.

Though the perils have a certain appeal, I'm hoping for a safe trip. A lion or black mamba sighting would be fun, but I would prefer that no one gets bitten by either of them. The reason I'm going is not for the thrill, but the cause that GSM and Second Avenue support. I'm excited to see what these organizations look like in East Africa and the difference they make.

Everyone tells me going to Africa will change my life, so I am kind of expecting that. Is it natural that I feel a little uncomfortable admitting that? However, since I have only a hazy notion of what to expect, I really have no way of predicting the ways it will change. The abbreviation "T.I.A." is going through my head right now. Thanks Blood Diamond. I kind of know what to expect; anything could happen.