Reality. Check.

There's a point in the lead up to any trip where it all becomes very real.  Where you feel how the trip is coming (and usually coming soon), where you can taste the excitement and nervousness and fun. 

That was today.

I was confirming details with Advantage Haiti (can't be to sure about details, well...at least I can't).  We realized their office had my departure dates wrong, and that my tickets from Port au Prince to Cayes hadn't been purchased yet.

It was pretty awesome that, at this point, I didn't freak.

Also turns out, I impressed their office having already purchased my travel insurance.

Needless to say, about 30 minutes later it was all figured out.  They have my correct arrival and departure information, my tickets are all confirmed.  In a stroke of awesome, it also turns out that they now process my payment to the guest house in advance, which was a huge relief for me.  Having to carry around that much money (in cash, in small bills) never makes me feel good.  Or safe.  So now my cash carrying is down considerably--taxi fare, departure taxes, and spending money--and everything's confirmed.

This was the final pre-departure reality check.  I leave in 11 days.  Now to pack.  And enjoy the ride!


I'm still looking for sponsors! All that's left is 9 days of lodging+meals, at $30/day. Use the PayPal link to the right, or donate directly to Advantage Haiti, the group I'm volunteering with at their website: http://www.advantagehaiti.com/.

15 days left, prep time hitting the wall!

That's right.  Fifteen days left before I leave.  I'm hitting my usual 2 week panic window ("so much to do, so little time"), and I'm trying to keep my head straight.  It was great that I was in Boston at Annual Conference last week, because sharing my volunteer plans with friends I don't see often was energizing.  And it was also great to hear from some others who've been to Haiti, and not only from the "practical tips" standpoint, but from the exciting fact that all of them said they can't wait to go back.  Even the possibility of collaborating with someone on another trip after my return, if I'm interested.  Because there's nothing like word of mouth, and to see their enthusiasm and to watch their eyes light up when they talked about how special the people were, how much they felt there work there mattered, and how much work there is to do...that made it real.  In the best possible way!

And a huge thanks to Jim for putting me into the single digits for donations to sponsor a day of PT.  Nine days left for sponsorhsip, so hurry. And also some other less exciting things like taxes and insurance, for you responsible people who worry.

I'm still looking for sponsors! Use the PayPal link to the right, or donate directly to Advantage Haiti, the group I'm volunteering with at their website: http://www.advantagehaiti.com/.

The internets rule

Super big shout out and thanks to Lo for sending an awesome care

package for my trip. Crystal light, cliff bars, energy bars, vitamin
packets, q tips, pens and a pad of paper...just to list some of the
stuff she sent. And a big thanks to the power of the Internet, since
without it (and without fandom) I wouldn't "know" Lo at all.

Did I mention, 19 days until I leave!

Did I also mention, 1/2 of my 20 days are sponsored!  Only 10 days left to sponsor!

Sent from my iPhone

Jaded traveller?

I'm sitting in the airport in Boston trying to not be annoyed by a  
pack of apparent first-time high school travellers. I should be happy  
at their exuberance, pleased with their sense of adventure. But I'm  
tired and have blisters from walking lots, so I'm finding it a burden.  
But I'm trying.

I'm leaving in less than a month and I've got to get my headspace in a  
positive place for this trip. Because I know it's going to be much  
more challenging than these students!

Thanks to Lo for the remainder of one days sponsorship, and to Nina  
for sponsoring me for a day. I should also give Kristin a shout out  
for sharing my trip and this blog with Nina.

Sent from my iPhone

T minus 30 days and counting.

One month.  30 days.

I leave in only one month.  Holy....holy. 

I'm VERY excited (still!), but now I've gone into uber-planning mode.  Lists.  Piles.  Shopping.  Organizing.  Checking and re-checking.

[pause]

Sorry about that, I had to add 'schedule visit to travel doctor for malarone rx' to the Haiti-specific to do list. Yes, I've got a Haiti-specific to do list.  Must stop.

In typical "me" fashion, I'm making the most of this when I return.  I've agreed to write a short piece for Today in PT and will be doing a presentation on campus for our lunch enrichment series.  This way, I will remember to update here regularly, take other good notes (I do plan on updating with more stuff when I get back), and take a lot of photos. 

Next week I'll be in Boston at Annual Conference, and I'm hoping to test out updating with my phone. Gotta get used to 'short and sweet' posts. Must try this stuff out.  And also post some more photos to the flickr feed, too.

Oh yeah, and thanks Blogger for the new templates!  What y'all think of this one?

I'm still looking for sponsors! Use the PayPal link to the right, or donate directly Advantage Haiti, the group I'm volunteering with at their website: http://www.advantagehaiti.com/.

33 days, that can't be right?

Time has certainly gotten away from me.  Only 33 days until I leave for Haiti!

I've still got tons of prep work to do.  My students have set up a donation station outside my office, and so far I've got a pack of socks from my boss in there.  Best part, they also donated the great North Face bag to haul all the goodies! And the fees for the extra baggage--these guys thought of everything!

I'm still looking for sponsorship for 11 days of rehab work (at $30/day), some other small costs (evacuation insurance and departure taxes).  But you know what else I'm looking for, your positive vibes!  Leave me a reply here, or over at my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/sharon.gorman) or over on my LiveJournal (http://slgorman.livejournal.com/).  Drop me a line, tell me I'm crazy, give me practical travel advice, or patient care advice (I know some of you are PTs or physicians).  Pump up my spirits, get me jazzed...heck, make me pause and consider how crazy this plan might just be.  But let me know you are thinking of me. Because the closer I get to my departure date, the more I'm thinking about all of you.  And how much your support, in all its myriad of forms, has meant to me.

I'm still looking for sponsors! Use the PayPal link to the right, or donate directly Advantage Haiti, the group I'm volunteering with at their website: http://www.advantagehaiti.com/.