So, I will be staying overnight in Manila before catching a domestic flight to Davao City. Manila, on Luzon, is the nation's Capitol. I'm kinda excited to explore the city a little before flying to my final destination. I included a map of where I'll be. Just in case you aren't current on your geography, the Philippine islands are off the South East coast of Asia, across the South China sea from Thailand. More than 7,100 islands are divided into three major island groupings: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. I'll be staying in South East Mindanao about an hours drive from Davao City.

Though living a rural Philippine life will be challenging at times, I can't wait to have a less cluttered life. Honestly, I have no idea what to expect; I'm hoping to see the unexpected.

Preparing for departure...

Sitting at home, in Bath NY, it's hard to imagine that in less than three weeks I will be across the ocean, sitting in the Philippines. Or maybe I will be walking to the jeep, riding through the jungle, hiking to a indigenous village, giving much needed medication, helping people understand sanitation, or maybe I'll be sleeping. Maybe the excitement of a fresh adventure is causing me nervous energy, but I can't seem to sleep right. The confines of my typical American life: Excess Food, Excess Water, Excess Shelter, Excess Entertainment, and Excess Convenience. These all seem to exacerbate my anxiety to leave.

Please do not misread me. I am fully grateful for my upbringing, and exception from "want." I also know that I will dearly miss my family and friends while I am away, and I dolefully admit my "needs" and "wants" are severely confused. Yet, I am hoping that three weeks from now, I will be closer to what I need, and closer to meeting the needs of others: food, water, shelter, sanitation, life-saving medicine, and hope.

Hope...we all need.