This is kind of a test to see if I know what I'm doing. I'm just posting the e-mail I sent to family and friends. The real story will start a week or so before my take off date. until then.... enjoy

The count down to Suriname begins. 60 days and Suriname will have to deal with me. Needless to say the excitement is growing. But, so is the anxiety. As I lay on my double padded queen size mattress I wonder how a hammock will compare. Will I miss my cozy comforter on cool nights? Will I have a cool night? How will I get these old bones moving in the morning if I don’t have a power nozzle on my very hot shower? Will I have a hot shower???? Will I even have a shower? No, I won’t …in fact there are going to be a lot of things I won’t have… and that’s what makes it so exciting.

It seems like time is running out. I’ve got so much to do between now and my May 15th departure date. Trying to get things packed up, getting someone to rent my place (know any body who might want to rent a 2bedroom condo, in great shape and at a great price), getting my car sold (know any body who might want to buy a 2000 Volvo, in great shape and at a good price), changing my e-mail address (which I will forward to you before I get out of town) canceling all kinds of things plus a bunch of other stuff. I didn’t think running off for a couple of years was going to be so complicated.

I’ve got a lot of good bye visits to make and hopefully I’ll get to most them done but, if I don’t get to give you a personal good bye hug, please know that in my mind and heart. I hope to be able to keep in touch with all of you through letters, e-mails or maybe even a blog (I didn’t even know what a blog was a few months ago) anyway, the thing is I will try to let you know how I’m doing, I hope in return you’ll keep me posted on what’s going on in your world. Like, when I was in the army…. I’m sure a letter from home… will be the highlight of any day.