Almost time to go

The next 4 months worth of clothes, books,
gifts, two cameras, and one tiny computer

The bags are all packed and ready to go!  Only the essentials and it is amazing to see all of my necessary possessions wrapped up into such a small package.  I am sure I will come back with more than I bargained for.

My preparation across this past month has consisted of obviously packing my bags and also a small amount of research.  More preparation could have been done, but I am hopeful that if I just wing it the experience will be more entertaining for all of us.  I have purchased and read part of "Islam: A Thousand Years of Faith and Power" by Jonathan Bloom and Sheila Blair, and "What Went Wrong?: The Clash Between Islam and Modernity in the Middle East" by Bernard Lewis.  I assume that I will need to know more about Islam than...Muhammad and Ramadan.  I don't want to be a complete prick.  These books have been informative and easy to read, so if you have time and want to learn a little bit more about 1/5 of the world's population these books can help you attain that goal.

For Morocco, in particular, I picked up "The Rough Guide to Morocco".  There was nothing new or particularly important to me in that selection, but it may be more important when I am trying to find a place to eat.  Travel guides usually just make me jealous of the people who can afford to do all of the things they advertise within.  Regardless, the wealth of information from the AmidEast program has me feeling about as prepared as a person could be.  That and the good common sense my family has taught me by allowing me to travel since childhood.

I had hoped to read more before I leave, but there are so many important things which must be done before I leave, like lending away the things which should not just sit and waste and  cleaning the house top to bottom, including the attic, and watching movies with Nate and the cat and finishing the book I have on loan and eating custard one last time with my sisters while trying to avoid the pink eye and strep plague among their brood.  All very important endeavors.  If you are reading this and are a friend of mine and I did not make time to see you before I leave, I am sorry.  But as you can see, there were things that had to be done.