But really, as long as you have your passport and a few bucks, you’ll do great! You can buy most anything you need – even if it’s not the same as you’d get at home – and if you can’t buy it, you’ll probably be fine without it. You’d be surprised what you can live without!

Please do let me know how it goes — I’d LOVE to hear from you when you return! Maybe you could write a guest post here, and tell me “What I Wish I Knew Before I Traveled to Kenya, Africa.” I’d love to hear your before and after perspective…..

Anyway, if you have time to pop in before you go, feel free to update me! Otherwise, I look forward to hearing from you when you return.

Laurie

I’m jealous — I wish I was gearing up for a big African adventure. Honestly, the anticipation of a vacation or major adventure is almost as exciting as being there…..almost

What could you be forgetting or not doing? Hmm…if you have prescription medications, do you have enough to get you through — and some extra, just in case? Do you copies of your passport and important documents pdf’d and saved on your email, or your parents’ email? I used to photocopy my stuff, but now just save them in the world wide web.

I can’t remember how long you’re going — but if I travel for more than a week or two, I like to take my extra pair of prescription glasses. I don’t like contacts, and don’t recommend them unless you’re going on a cushy, easy vacation (but each to her own — I just don’t like contacts!).

Did you read my “55 Travel Tips for Women” article? The link is above – there’s some good ideas there.

Did you read my “Women Traveling Alone: Fighting Homesickness” article? Seriously — it could help. You might be homesick – and that’s OKAY. You’ll live. It may be scary and a little painful — but that’s part of this big adventure!

I gotta run — DH is back after a long day. I’ll come back and nudge you some more in a few hours….

Laurie

Things are getting wrapped up and I leave for Kenya in about 10 Days. I’m almost ready I can’ t help but feel there is something i’m forgetting or not doing. I will be in contact when I return and let you know about the experience. Thank you again for your tips and advices.

Tina

I’m willing to bet that the Earthwatch people have arranged for a legitimate driver and an extra passenger, so when they pick your daughter up, she and they will be safe going “home”!

Here’s some impossible advice, but I’m gonna say it anyway: try not to worry! Whether your daughter is going to Africa, or you’re going there as a single woman or solo traveler, it doesn’t help to worry. What does help is to make smart choices and equip yourself with knowledge, knowledge, knowledge!

Here’s a twist for you: What really helped me not be afraid was a guy who broke into my apartment in the middle of the night when I was 19, living alone in Edmonton. Luckily, he didn’t really hurt me — but I realized from that experience that bad things can happen to you ANYWHERE: in Canada, in the US, in Africa, in Asia……so there’s no point in hiding or being scared of trying new things or taking risks! If your number is up, it’s up.

I’m glad that your daughter is up for this experience, and I wish her and you all the best

Laurie