When 6 is too Short

6 days. 6 days?! Let's not talk about how I have to finish cleaning my room, say goodbye to everyone for the summer, and pack - all in the next 6 days. No, let's NOT talk about it. I've done this once before. Shouldn't it come more easily the second time? It isn't. I feel more pressure having been there once, knowing that I should know but can't remember. Can't remember...can't remember...can't remember if I ordered that book...can't remember where I put those shoes...where did I put my vaccination card? At least I know where my passport is...I think.

What to wear? Oh let's not talk about that either. I took very little and mostly the wrong clothes last time. They were modest enough, surely, but apparently so casual by African standards that I looked the equivalent of the preparatory student who dashes out to class in a t-shirt and jeans - embarrassingly unacceptable. I'd like to be a little more culturally sensitive this time. Unfortunately that means packing more. There is nothing I despise quite like hauling around a heavy, useless suitcases. But to fit I must. And then there is the trouble of washing. I haven't met an African soap that didn't wring the color and life out of a piece of cloth. No wonder so many cultures made their clothes so flamingly brilliant to begin with...you wouldn't see them after a few washings if they didn't. I'd like to take clothes that I don't care about so that when they return from the laundress all bleachy and pale, I won't feel bad having ruined another favorite shirt. But if I bring clothes I don't care about then I'm back where I was last summer...embarrassing.

To blend or not to blend? I found that a European attire was much more favorable than appearing blatantly American. Swathing my head and face with a scarf created an aura that demanded some distance and respect. Several times I passed for some flavor of eastern European (might I add that a few lines of gibberish snapped at a gentleman manhandling my friend only solidified my assurance in the costume when he promptly startled aback and discontinued his chase).

Before I let myself stress to far, I would like to remember the mantra I recycled through my head for months ahead of time last year: African time is twice and maybe thrice as long. Have no expectations and therefore no disappointments - only adventures!

...adventures...now where did I put that passport?