Itinerary... 3 continents in 8 weeks

This trip has certainly morphed into an experience of a lifetime! Originally I was just planning to go to Africa for 5 weeks -- 4 weeks volunteering and 1 week for traveling and experiencing the culture in other parts of the country. When I realized a layover in Amsterdam was inevitable, I decided to visit one of my dearest friends, Katja (who now lives in Vienna with her darling daughter Sofia). Katja has had quite a difficult time in her life these past few years, and the idea of going to spend time with her and her daughter in just a few days warms my spirit! And with a $50 plane ticket from Amsterdam -- Vienna, how could I resist?

Following this I will go to Berlin for a few days to check out the music scene and meet with some composers and academics in my field. Then back to Amsterdam for my flight to Tanzania on July 25.

My original intention to stay in Tanzania for 5 weeks has been affected by the life difficulties of another dear friend, my oldest friend Kim (whom I have known since I was the tender age of 2 playing naked in the sandbox!). Kim is living in Seoul, Korea -- she was pregnant and intending to move back to the states with her husband before the baby was born, but went into premature labor (2 months early) only a few days before her flight! Her daughter was born and spent several weeks of her life in the NICU, and now is thought to have a genetic disorder called Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (a routine MRI discovered a mass on her heart that is a type of tumor that can indicate TSC). TSC means the body's mechanism to stop tumor growth does not work; it is a rare, multi-system genetic disease that causes benign tumors to grow in the brain and on other vital organs such as the kidneys, heart, eyes, lungs and skin.

Needless to say, she is going through quite a difficult time, especially since her husband and family are back in the states and unable to travel to be with her. Out of necessity she had to sign another year contract with her job (teaching through the Department of Defense), so now she is living alone with an adorable 3 year old (Miss Emily) and now a potentially troubled newborn. =(

My heart broke when I learned of her situation, so I've decided to cut one week out of my Tanzania trip (not my volunteering time, but the extra week I was going to spend traveling), and instead travel to Seoul Korea to be with her and help out with the kids for a couple of weeks. 3 continents in 8 weeks, I am READY (gulp)!

TRAVEL DATES

July 13 – July 25: Vienna, Berlin
July 25 – August 22: Volunteering for 4 weeks in Tanzania
August 24 – September 6: Seoul, Korea
September 7: Return home
September 8 – 12: SLEEP
September 13: Start teaching =)