Yesterday, as I sat in the Chicago O’hare airport eating Auntie Anne’s Mini Hotdog Pretzels at 7:30am, I found myself thinking “the trips started, I should probably start reflecting.” But, since Chicagoans apparently find it appropriate to keep their airports at like negative 12 degrees centigrade, all my reflecting really amounted to was: “I hope it’s warmer in Tanzania.”
Luckily for me, it was also warmer in Houston, so as I waited outside IAH for McKenna to pick me up, it finally sunk in that I am going to Tanzania. It also sank in that this is the last class I will ever take as an undergraduate, but I suppressed that one for now. I am going to see things, with my own eyes, that I have only ever witnessed on television with a David Attenborough voice-over. And while this experience, like pretty much every other experience, would be elevated by the presence of David Attenborough, his lack will not be grieved. I genuinely cannot express how excited I am for this experience, and the realization that the research I’ve been doing for the past month is about to become practical had me close to doing a happy dance through the Terminal C baggage claim.
I’ve done a lot to prepare for this trip. I’ve prepared presentations on Microwear as well as Equids and Canids, I’ve read the entire Tanzania Wikipedia page, I’ve gotten a multitude of chemicals injected into my arm, I’ve started taking malaria meds which may be causing nausea, and I’ve ceaselessly bragged to my friends and family. I am so excited for every aspect of the trip, from seeing my favorite animals in real life to shooting my highly anticipated directorial debut titled: “McKenna’s Survivor Audition Tape (if there’s time).” I predict spending a disproportionate amount of time on these blog posts, and I genuinely really appreciate the space to document my experiences in my own voice. I don’t know how to end this. Talk soon x
