It’s all in the preparation!
Wednesday, March 8th, 2006Sometimes I wonder how Chris and I have managed to stay together for what will be ten years this November. We are so different at times it amazes me. Me I like to plan, arrive on time and know what I am letting myself in for….Chris on the otherhand is a fly by the seat of his pants kinda guy – loosely translated as bone idle! (Soph – I hope you spotted the Pretty Women reference?) …. he is never punctual -so much that I always tell him appointments are at least 15 minutes earlier than they really are (lies that he has never really cottoned on to or at least likes to make me think he hasn’t), he never plans further than a day in advance and he has up until embarking on this RTW trip never believed in owning a camera…apparently memories are designed to fade! (Just for the record – I am fully intending to adopt Chris’ characteristics and traits once I finish work and set off on our travels.)
Needless to say that once the tickets were booked the finer details of the trip have been left to me to organise!
Whilst I have been spending the last two months organising doctors appointments, shopping for miniture toilettries and purchasing our first digital camera (I am well aware we are at least 5 years behind everyone else here – but memories are designed to fade remember), Chris has been playing football, watching football and drinking lager (although not as much as he would like due to every pint saved could potentially put a roof over our heads for a night in Bolivia).
It is a somewhat liberating experience downsizing ones belongings to fit into a 65 litre backpack however it also brings a number of concerns….. will I survive on two pairs of shoes – both without heels? (well a pair of boots and a pair of rather fetching sandals – wait for the photos!), is Chris serious about not taking his razor and growing a full on Rasputin-esque beard? Will I survive with a make bag consisting solely of eyeliner and mascara? will I really needs the packets and packets of diarrhoea tablets?
We have begun the task of shifting our belongings out of the house……either to the tip or both sets of parents, who have both spent the last couple of years trying to offload our belongings (and rightfullys so) from their lofts to ours – (but he who laughs last and all that!)
The next couple of months (67 days) are going to fly past, what with two siblings getting married/wrapping up work comittments and our leaving party…..neverthless we are still counting the days. Roll on 15 May.
Chris and Charl