The Final Countdown

Sunday, April 11

There are less than 24 hours until my flight leaves and I still haven’t put a single thing in my suitcase. I’m frequently a last minute packer, so there’s still time to make some magic happen. The question is, what to pack? I’ll be gone for the better part of six weeks. How does someone prepare for a trip that long?

A Quick Recap

A little more than two weeks ago, I received a call from the Seeing Eye in New Jersey. I’ve been matched with a guide dog and was asked if I’d be able to attend the April class to receive them. I excepted the offer with all its implications, and two weeks has proven to be a surprisingly short amount of time to prepare, especially when considering the extra measures one contends with when travelling during a global pandemic. Covid testing, doctors notes, mandatory hotel stays, Airline requirements, checking and rechecking border and travel restrictions… all of this and more on top of The usual travel things; acquiring travel insurance, shopping for needed items, booking flights, working out who’s looking after my three horses and the bird… It’s been a busy time. Now most of the complicated stuff is sorted out, and all that’s left to do now is to live it.

The Plan

At 7:30 a.m. tomorrow morning, i’ll depart, (with a brief layover in Dallas,) for the East Coast. I’m staying with friends in Philadelphia for a required two weeks of quarantine, and travel to New Jersey on the 26th for the first day of class. I’ll stay on the Seeing Eye campus for 3 1/2 weeks and fly home with my guide on the 20th of May, if all goes as it should. Early flights both ways… Gotta love it.

Closing Thoughts

I haven’t even left yet and the horsey withdrawals are already starting to kick in. This adventure is beyond exciting and I am looking forward to every moment of it, but there are definitely some things I’ll miss. Leo, primarily, and the Arabs to. Not to mention my bed… someone needs to invent better portable mattresses. I dedicated some time over the past week to enjoy some of the things I’ll miss one more time. Met up with friends and family, ate at my favourite restaurants, and went on one final ride with Leo. I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.

Pennsylvania and New Jersey are two states I’ve not yet visited. I’m excited to add two more states to the growing list of places I’ve been, and to experience the culture there in whatever capacity I’m able to, given the circumstances. Quarantine or no, I’ve at least gotta get myself an authentic Philly cheesesteak, cuz what kind of barbarian would I be if I didn’t?

A final busy day ahead before a series of even busier ones, so Time to sign off for now. The future is bright, and I look forward to sharing it with you.

See y’all on the other side.