As I was packing for this trip, I was protecting myself no less than five ways from getting malaria: spraying my clothing with Sawyer’s Promethrin spray, sorting the “Insect Guard” clothing I’d purchased online from Sierra Trading Company, stowing my glow-in-the-dark bug bands in crevasses of my backpack, zipping the 100% Deet into my quart sized Ziplock bag for carry-on inspection, and swallowing my recommended dose of Malarone.
I was going between rooms at home, moving stuff about and so had the TV blaring in each room, in case I had time to truly glance at TNT’s “The Prince and I.” The computer displayed six websites I was alternately perusing and the radio pumped out a mix of music my fourth and fifth grade students selected as their favorite. Relaxing, no. Productive? It felt like it, but I was missing something.
In the midst of “protecting” myself from what I may encounter in Rwanda, I need to instead prepare myself to slow down, give up the to-do lists, stop the multi-tasking madness, and shed my protective coating, part mosquito fear, part emotional separation, and for good measure, my good ole’ American stubbornness.
This Vision Tour asks me be a “learner, an observer, and a servant.” Now I just need to allow myself to be pro-exposure.
Lara,
This is a such a powerful piece of writing, and a wonderful reminder about being open to what the world has to show us. I have read it several times and think it shows incredible insight. I hope you are finding your Vision Tour to be enlightening, educational, and life changing. I really look forward to hearing all about it.
Safe travels.
Tina