Ready to go (almost)

I am looking at a bedroom still covered in all sorts of odds and ends that at one point or another have struck me as indispensable to take on a 62 day round the world trip, and in the corner a very large bag already crammed full. A new definition of indispensable required...

What do you take? The activities define much of it - cycle helmet, padded shorts (now they ARE indispensable), sleeping bag, fleece, woolly hat etc. Cameras and all the charger paraphenalia we wouldn't have had even 10 years ago. I have wondered a few times over the last few weeks why I am doing this - leaving behind an opportunity to loaf my way gently through the rest of what has been a generally lovely autumnal London this year (though may just be perception because for once I have actually seen it), undoubtedly for bouts of uncomfortable places to sleep, aching limbs, the inevitability of some flight connection or another not working, undoubtedly finding myself missing my family terribly at moments, too much cold, too much heat...

So what am I hoping to get out of it? I ought to be able to answer this easily enough to justify the disruption to myself and others. And I guess the answer is - at the risk of being glib - see some sights and do some things that are truly lifelong memorable, travel long enough to let go of the comforting thought of proximate return home (though I agree, 2 months isn't that long in many ways), justify purchase of digital camera equipment, continue to get fit, do some slightly (but not TOOOOO...) challenging stuff outside comfort zone. (Note to parents and insurance company though - won't be bungy jumping in NZ). Kate says - get some of the travel bug out of the system - though she acknowledges risk that you end up just wanting to do more.

What am I hoping not to get out of it? Food poisoning obviously, 'ticking off' countries (only going to 7), finding somewhere isn't all it's cracked up to be (although I'm going with fairly few preconceptions I think).

And what is 'it' anyway? For those who don't know, a round the world trip for two months between jobs, sort of on my own (sadly without Kate or girls, but including stitching together some organised journeys as well as solo legs). 7 countries - India (cycling in Rajasthan), Nepal, Bhutan (trekking), Australia (Sydney mainly), New Zealand (all over), Bolivia (La Paz area mainly - it's just a few days) and Chile (trekking in Patagonia). Back for Christmas.

The blog is a way of disciplining myself to capture sights, sounds, atmospheres, as they happen before they slip from mind - so, yes, it's for me really. There won't be any postcards though - I'm afraid you'll just to read this instead. I promise to keep entries short (shorter than this) to minimise boredom and a further plus is that they will definitely stop after 9 weeks. First stop Delhi on Friday...