In exactly one week, I leave Illinois until I come back during the second week of December (minus one week in August)…and apparently that’s a pretty big deal. I’m going to upstate New York for camp for 2 months and then I’m going to Morocco for four months. I know, in the long-term, that hardly seems to be very long and very adventurous, but I feel it warrants some kind of official documentation for everyone to see.
I just got back from my visit down to school. It was the last chance that I’m going to have to see most people until January or even May. We said good-bye in the usual way and now my clothes smell like card games, smoke, and wheat beer. I somehow combined almost all my vices and lots of my favorite people into one night. Excellent.
The idea of going back to New York has been stressing me out like crazy. I’m sure once I’m there, I’ll be fine, but until then I expect another panic attack and a few childish tantrums. Last year, my experience pretty much just mirrored someone with minor bipolar disorder. Some days were really, really bad and then some days were absolutely amazing. I think the fact that I have realistic expectations will make this summer better. I’ve also grown up a lot since then so I’m hoping that I’ll actually be able to take things at face value.
Morocco is still an open book. I don’t know where I’m living, what I’m taking, or what I want to get out of the experience. The only thing that is clear is what I’m leaving behind. I’m scared to death, but I’m sure it’ll be okay. I want to live my life and Morocco seems like an excellent place to start. I can get all my French and Arabic in one place.
Unusual travel suggestions are dancing lessons from God.
-Kurt Vonnegut
A good traveler is one who does not know where he is going, and a perfect traveler does not know where he came from.
-Lin Yutang
