Sleep Walking, Literally

We arrived into Manchester at 8 am this morning. The flight was a good one. With free on-demand movies, 40 to choose from, and over 150 albums to listen to, I had a difficult time falling asleep (actually slept 40 minutes of our 6 hour flight). When we got out of customs and immigration, Paul Adams was waiting for us with 3 nice mini-vans to carry our group and our even larger collection of luggage to our study abroad home. After a short 45 minute ride to Liverpool, we checked into our accomodations -- Salsibury Hall of the Carnatic Halls. We take an entire floor. Each of us has a nice room with a small sink. Shortly afterwards, Paul and Vik took us for a walk to Liverpool Center. What a sight to see 19 students and 2 leaders ... walking in single file at times, all trying to stay awake, to take in the wonderful sights ... This is a dream come true!

Lounging at the Newarker

One by one this years participants arrive into the lobby of the Newark Hilton Airport hotel. Although some of us experienced delays in our flights, and others of us had lagging luggage we are all excited about the trip ahead of us. Each of asks the other what they are looking forward to. In a few hours, we will no longer be lounging but launching into our new adventure!

My To Do List ... 15 hours and counting

Attend Rotary Social - check

Get meds -

Buy converter and adapter -

Buy alarm clock -

Hold mail - check

Pack gifts - check

Print outs - check

Cut hair - check

Cut grass

Apply turf builder

Set automatic temperature in the house

Call credit card company about trip - check

Get international PIN access

Copy passport and drivers license - check

Bring health documents - check

Get travel insurance information - check

Find out shuttle schedules - check

3 Weeks with 1 Carry-on Luggage

In less than 24 hours, I will begin the pre-departure orientation activities. Even though I love to travel and almost all of what that entails, I am not so great at the packing part. Seems like I either wait until the last minute to wash clothes and then stay up late for them to dry; or, I pack a few days ahead, only to find myself adding things, removing items and wondering if I have everything I need.

Seems like this trip, that question is partly answered for me. Everything needed will be squeezed into one carry-on luggage!

Still, I KNOW they have stores over there but it just seems more comforting to lug it all with me from the beginning. I'm thinking that will change once I have to LITERALLY lug it all with me.

Liverpool 2009

Right out of the blue, I get the WONDERFUL opportunity to go and participate in the TRIO 2009 in Europe, a study abroad program based in Liverpool for three weeks. I am so excited to be part of this amazing group of people. Now, gotta find the meaning of the latest Liverpool expressions through Wiktionary .... Tilly Mint, Over the Water, Skint ...

Gnawa, Rai, Berber and Andalusian classical

On one of our last nights in Morocco, we attended a show spectacular at Chez Ali in Marrakesh. The night opened with trance music of a lone flutist and and closed with drumming and hitting of cymbals that grew into a wall of sound by the blowing of MANY horns -- all at once!

No evil eye here