Snail Mail!

So if ya wanna snail mail me while in Ghana, this post is for you!

My address is:

Rachel Bodnar
c/o SIT Study Abroad
Ghana Institute of African Studies (Affiliate)
University of Ghana
P.O. Box 73
Legon, Ghana

Send it!

Drum Roll Please...

I have pills...lots and lots of Malaria pills

Shout out to Rick, the new RN at the East A2 clinic. He was so solid. He talked to me for nearly 35 minutes today sorting out my malaria meds mahem (spelling on that one?)

Also, my mosquito net comes tomorrow in the mail. You can bet that I will coax my bro and cousin to set it up and try it out. Prepare for a post on that.

So yes ladies and gentleman, I am actually fully prepared to go to Ghana.

Except I might get a hiking backpack type thing.

OH! And I got the sweetest hiking boots! For you Seinfeld fans, they are Gortex. For those of you who don't know what Gortex is, it's a super material that is waterproof and keeps you warm. I really like them. I feel like a badass hiker in them. They make me look like I would know what to do with a mountain. I mean, I did climb down one in converse once, in Honduras, with one waterbottle, in the hot sun. But now with my boots (p.s. Thanks Grandma), I can conquer any mountain!!!

Peace out loves! 4 days!

Malaria: The seventh layer of hell

Can I get a "holla" from everyone who has ever, EVER had to get malaria pills!?

There are like a billion different kinds and a lot of phone calls that need to be made. Also, insurance doesn't cover it! How much does that suck!

Now, did I kinda put if off a little - yes.

However, I have been calling back and forth between the doctor/RN trying to get a perscription. I'm not still sure what the heck is going on, but it's a frustrating situation.

And to make it all worse, I didn't have a doctor in Columbus, so I couldn't get some stuff done. So I had to wait till I was back in Michigan.

Ugh! Jesus, help me!

I really hope I can just get all these shots and pills and stuff so I can actually be fully excited about my trip!

p.s. still don't have hiking boots and mosquito net :(

And so it begins...

For the record, I haven't left the U.S. yet.

I wanted to start this blog before I left that way I have it at my disposal as I prepare to travel to Ghana.

I have to say, I'm quite excited to leave. Aside from the assumed reasons, here are some more specific ones:

* An oversees layover. It's in London and I am hoping to sneak out of the airport and do a little exploring ;)

*Dance class! On the packing sheet, they ask us to bring a 'work out/dance class outfit'. Therefore, I am expecting to get funky and certainly break it down

*Meeting my peers. I just got the list yesterday. Yes, I've facebook creeped and tried to friend as many as possible. However, for those of you who know me, you know I have NO trouble making friends.

*Kente cloth - basically, one of my desires since I was 15 years old was to own an authentic piece of kente cloth. I plan to wear it at graduation and wherever else I feel it appropriate (ya know, yoga, grocery store, class, etc.)

*Wearing skirts...all the time. Seriously. I'm kinda looking forward to it.

*Meeting my homestay family. I bet they are going to be amazing!

So that's a start, I'm sure there are a billion different things to be excited for, but yeah, it's a start.

Ok, so I still need some things.

Like a mosquito net
and a one piece bathing suit
and non t-shirts
and hiking boots.

Yeah, I need to get on that.

That's where I am so far. Stay tuned for more!