Canadian, eh?

Put a wig on this man, and it's me:

The application has been filled out, the documents have been collected, and the fees have been paid. It's aboot time, eh?

I'm really excited about the prospect of having dual citizenship. There are many benefits to holding multiple passports, but if I'm honest about it, I just like that it makes me seem like Jason Bourne. It's like being a CIA operative without the danger.

I obviously watch too much TV.

the first leg: Africa

Apparently, not many people even know what I'm doing, so I'm posting my route map for Africa. However, this doesn't include Kilimanjaro, which will be the first way of many that I try to get myself killed. Kidding! That could very well happen at a hash bar on my layover in Amsterdam. Kidding again! I took D.A.R.E. very seriously in sixth grade. Plus (sadly), my layover isn't long enough to leave the airport.

And not to worry—my friend told me that his friend is an experienced mountaineer, and he described Kilimanjaro as a "Gentleman's Climb." As a lady, I hope this won't upset my delicate sensibilities. But as resident of San Francisco, I just remembered that I no longer have any. So it's a moot point. And hopefully an easy seven-day stroll.

Anyway, the general plan: Kenya>Tanzania>Kenya>Uganda>Kenya again>Tanzania again>Malawi>Zambia>Zimbabwe>Botswana>Namibia>

South Africa

That's it! (I'll save the grand unveiling of the next leg for another post. But yes, there's more to come.)

that crazy malaria

I'm doing some comparison shopping for anti-malarials, and I'm not really sure which is worse—getting malaria or taking the pills. Side effects can include:

severe sensitivity to the sun

loss of hair

loss of eyesight

hallucinations

night terrors

killing your wife (60 Minutes did a story on this)

mouth ulcers

headaches

questionable clothing choices

constipation

diarrhea

odd-shaped thumbs

yeast infections

depression

Bieber-fever

anxiety

general insanity

loss of appetite

upset stomach

Oh, and did I mention malaria? Turns out you can take the pills and still get the disease. Hurray for modern medicine!

Getting Started

It's two-and-a-half months out, but I'm trying to check things off my pre-departure list. One of those things was to create a blog. So here it is. Check.