Before the Adventure...
- Megan
- Jun 22, 2016
- 3 min read
And so it begins...
This board is the result of our brainstorming session regarding what expectations we have for each other while traveling together.
This is the first of many entries, I'm sure. Be prepared for frequent updates, spastic observations, spontaneous poetry, galleries of photos, a couple of videos (time allowing), noodles and oodles of excitement.
Before the adventure Before take offs and layovers
Before the exploring
Before hostels and gers
We leave for Mongolia this week. We are merely days away from the excursion I have been working towards all quarter! Shopping, planning, learning, reading. Researching everything from a travel toothbrush, to shorts and fashion, to water sterilization. Sleeping just seems an impossible task while awaiting the days to pass me by until Thursday. We leave in two days, TWO DAYS! June 23rd couldn't come fast enough! I could (and perhaps should) be using this time to repack my things seeing as I tore apart a glorious packing job to find my toothbrush, which incidentally was apparently secured for travel between Seattle and Ulaanbaatar, forgetting about the travels to Bellingham first...but alas, it is nearly two in the morning and I cannot seem to focus on anything other than the epic adventures coming ahead.
Getting to know you through
Knowing myself Understanding myself through
Knowing you
Today was the first day of class, summer quarter 2016, here on campus at Western Washington University. We gathered as a whole for the first time. Introductions followed by anxieties and excitements. We are all so stoked to be getting ready for the trip. Packing, making photocopies of passports, reading, cultural training, language preparation, expectations, and so much more.
We talked about what we were nervous about: falling in man-holes, being tempted to pet local dogs, packing properly to get through TSA, language barriers, packing too much or too little, being separated from our loved ones back home, the possibility of travel sickness. There are a lot of things to prepare for when traveling internationally. There are a few members of our group who haven't traveled like this before. We will only be bringing carry on bags, and we'll be away for 24 days. This kind of travel is a lot of fun and great once you're out there, but the preparations should be thorough to ensure you don't leave the country without anything you won't have access to.
Having the time before traveling to meet as a group and discuss our anxieties was really nice. We were able to help coordinate some thoughts and pointers brought us together as a group. We were able to strategize and plan our travels ahead of time, which is rad.
Packing, preparing, planning and predicting
Midnight blogging with coffee
Contemplating...complicating...
Anxiously awaiting ample adventures
As I wrap up my thoughts before traveling, I am ecstatic to think about where I will be in one week, when I check in next. Our first destination is the Modern Mongol hostel in Ulaanbaatar. After looking at photos and videos on their website, I am so incredibly stoked to be there soon. Everything is gorgeous and the lovely folks who run it have posted up to date photos and videos so travelers know what to expect. There is also a handy map (via google maps) on the site to give the opportunity for us to get our bearings before stepping foot on Mongolian soil. We'll be staying within walking distance to the National Mongolian Theater!
As the token theatrical nerd-I will certainly be posting pictures for you as soon as physically (and technically) possible. Throughout our trip, we will be seeing multiple performances and presentations, and I simply cannot wait.
Quick Links:
I found a helpful link for learning some common Mongolian phrases:
Facebook page for the hostel we will be staying at, only about one year old:
https://www.facebook.com/modernmongol/ The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has great tips and information when traveling: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/mongolia
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