Introduction to Packing 101

I am busy packing... Coming from a family who has always prided itself on "being prepared" I am always torn between packing everything I may possibly need and lugging it around all trip or being smart and packing as little as possible in air-sucked ziploc bags for maximal space and weight efficiency. Past experience always teaches me to travel light...that way there is more space for souvenirs. But there is something in my genes that nags: "what happens if I really NEED that 10L water purifier? Imagine if I were STRANDED! At least I would be prepared". We won't mention stories about Dad and the snorkel gear...

I thought now would be a good time to introduce you to my team. This is our adorable "magazine cover" style photo taken at this years' traveler reatreat. We six, plus our two medical students Emmi and Kyle, will be hitchiking, backpacking and condom-slinging across Belize for 7 weeks. Top left is Katie, my trusty co-director and Panama side kick! Ian, our only frosh, Megan K. the resident phys-eddie, Meaghan R. (we dreaded the day we picked two people named Megan), and finally Sarah, our newly graduated 4th year. And that's me in the bottom. No parkas in Belize...

Predeparture

After two years of hard work my Belize adventure is finally becoming a reality! For those of you who are new to the saga, since first year I have been working with an organization through Queen's University called Queen's Medical Outreach (www.qmo.ca). In my second year I was chosen to travel on a health promotion project to Belize that involved teaching students across the country about topics like child abuse and HIV/AIDS.
After a full year of dedication to the program, our 8 person team watched in horror as what began as a simple business deal with the local telecom company turned into a nightmare. Union workers upset with the sale of BTL stocks to an American company sabotaged the telecom lines disrupting telephone service, internet and electricity. Unfortunately, this also disrupted entry and exit of planes. Riots errupted in Belize city causing widespread damage, numerous injuries and one death. All unions went on strike in support of the telecom workers and, unfortunately, this included the teachers' union. The Belizean people called for the government to step down and the country was left in a general state of instability. After a several weeks of watching the situation rise and fall (all while try to study for exams) the 2005 Belize Project was cancelled 4 days before departure.

Devastated, but having allready been selected as the 2006 co-director with Katie Hamilton at my side, I set off to run the project this year without ever having been to Belize. After some trying times with contacts from the ministry of education, attempting to secure funding, and travelers were selected and plans were set. The adventure begins May 2nd!

Anne