One week to go...

I've set up this blog to keep a journal of my time in Senegal.

With one week to go before the flight, my bag is already packed and I've just added the last few items I think I'll need for the next three months. It's a bit hit and miss as I've only spent 8 days in West Africa before.

I know I won't have much access to electricity and that I'll be staying in a traditional round-house in a friend's compound. I've packed a candle holder for the evenings without electric lighting and a wind up torch that I'm hoping will also provide enough power to charge up my mobile phone more than for just 3 minutes.

I'm counting down now. Getting excited and a little bit nervous. But what's the worst that can happen?!

I'm looking forward to living in and experiencing a different culture from the inside. I know I'll have some tough times from my previous experience living in Spain for 5 years. There'll be times when I'll feel isolated and will want to go home.

But I'm also expecting good times and am hoping to learn a lot from the experience and become a trusted part of the community in order for the Abene Karantaa project to be a success. I strongly believe that where you live and how much money you have should not be a barrier to opportunity.