Bon Voyage

As the clock ticks down to the heart-wrenching goodbyes to my wife and kids, the pre-travel jitters and intrepidation of flying to Dakar, #Senegal via Paris, France in Economy... on Air France (although that seems entirely appropriate since the nature of my work is purely philanthropic #ibmcsc) slowly turn to feelings of excitement and anticipation.

I've packed one suitcase to check-in, carefully managing the weight to remain below 50 lbs., which was quite the challenge since as one of three US-based team members, I'm carrying along a slew of IBM memorabilia for our global team to share with our gracious hosts.  My carry-on contains a couple changes of clothes, all my toiletries and my Canon digital SLR camera and lenses, while my personal item will house my laptop and a few good reads.  Now besides having to pack for four weeks versus four days, were there things I packed that I normally wouldn't on a typical business trip? 

• My own bath towels, as we were advised the ones provided by the hotels in Africa will be rather thin compared to what we're used to at the Westin and the like!
• Likewise we were told not to expect the same soothing and sweet-smelling spa-quality soaps, shampoos and lotions we are so accustomed to from the high end hotel chains, so I have packed a few of the ones I took during my last stay at the Westin ;)
• A generous supply of Cipro, and an entire box of Immodium...
• Malaria medicine (Malarone) that I'll need to take daily, and of course half a dozen or so cans of mosquito repellent.  Now I suppose the latter isn't altogether unique as I'd need the same if I were traveling back to Winnipeg, Canada for the summer - just minus the risk of Malaria.
• Hand sanitizer with 65% alcohol content, exceeding the recommended minimum of 50%!
• And this one was actually a regular item for family vacations only a few years back, but certainly not something I have ever packed on a business trip - a pack of baby wipes.  We have a lot left over, and I'm sure they'll come in handy in Senegal where the sanitary conditions will not be up to Western standards.

These past few days have been a whirlwind.  My hair is cut, the lawn is mowed, and the Halloween decorations are up on the house.  Today I'll do something special for my daughter and get into her kindergarten classroom for a little bit of volunteering.  Tomorrow night, thanks to the NHL lockout* and the generosity of the San Jose Sharks organization, season ticket holders will descend upon HP Pavilion and skate on the very ice the professionals do!  That'll give me some great father-son time before I head off for four weeks. 

(*The bright side to the NHL lockout is that I won't miss any games while in Senegal, nor need to stay up till 4 am to stream games with NHL Gamecenter Live!)

[Updated 10/17/12]

Skate Night at HP Pavilion, San Jose, CA

My four week tour of duty in Senegal will surely be a once in lifetime experience, but it won't be without its sacrifices. I'll miss my son's annual kung fu performance next weekend, where he'll be displaying the wu shu skills he's accumulated since he was 3.5 years old.  Now 7, he has achieved the rank of blue belt and continues to impress.  His Mite (U8) travel hockey season is in full swing, and I'm disappointed that I'll have to miss his thrice-weekly practices and upcoming exhibition games and tournaments in Vacaville and Oakland.  I'll also be missing a handful of games myself for the two teams I skate for in the Sharks Ice Adult Hockey League. Inevitably when I return, I will have relinquished the scoring lead in the EEEE Division (8 points after 3 games). While the point total is correct, a few of the goals should have been assists, and the running joke with my teammates is how many goals I'll be credited with while overseas!

And through all this, it'll take a very special woman to make sure everything continues to run smoothly for the next 4 weeks - my wife and Super Mom.


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