Sudan Bound- The Bags are packed. June 30th 2013
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| Packing for the adventure, lol. It is an art. |
Everything can happen so fast, it seems like only yesterday
I stood in front of my grade 8 home room class and announced to them that “I
WAS GOING TO AFRICA”. Since that time back in March so much has happened,
everyday has been a new adventure, a new opportunity, and what a whirlwind of
excitement and opportunity life has been.
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| Pearson International. |
Each time a new opportunity came up; I felt I was getting
one step closer to Africa, one step closer to the Nile, the rift valley, to
Kilimanjaro, to the jungles of Madagascar and to the vineyards of Cape Town. I
got a call for a job in April, to teach at a high school for the rest of the year.
At first I turned it down, citing my coming trip to Africa, but after a quick
shower and a roller coaster of thoughts, I called them back and went for the
interview. I got the job, teaching grade 11, I changed the dates of the trip to
accommodate this new job, and this new job led to a full time teaching job next
year at one of the finest junior high schools in the city. You never know at
the moment when you make a big decision what will come of it, but I have to
say, taking that job was one of the best decisions I have ever made.
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| Transferring from domestic to International. |
I have learned over the course of the last 6 years on my
adventures to take chances, not to be afraid of making those hard decisions,
the types of decisions many shy away from in the 21st century. I met
many new friends, became a better teacher and had a group of students that
inspired me to carry on with the life I am choosing to lead.
Packing the bags today, going out for a final few drinks
with some friends and knowing that when I board that plane bound for Khartoum
that the game is on! It is finally here and I cannot wait to get started.
I sit now at Pearson International Airport in Toronto, bound
for Frankfurt, and onwards to Khartoum. I have a plan, but as I have seen the
last few months, what we start with, and where we end up can be completely
different, and I am very fine with that. A quote from one of my favourite
films, The Prince of Egypt, “A single thread in a tapestry, though its colour
brightly shines, can never see its purpose, in the pattern of the grand design”
holds true to this time in my life. Life is an adventure and an opportunity,
and I am going to explore it to the fullest.
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| Check in to Europe, one step closer! |
My next update shall come from the roof top of the Acropole
hotel in central Khartoum, overlooking where the two Niles meet, and where the
East Africa Odyssey will officially begin.
A special shout out to all my friends that made my final
weekend at home so memorable. Chase, Steph, Aaryn, the three of you are true
beauties, and thanks so much for supporting this adventure.
Cheers to all, and continue to tune in for more updates.
William
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| One step closer!!! |
