24 Hours

Well not much to add at this point.  In 24 hours I will be on a flight to San Francisco -- from there on to Hawaii and Guam and then Manila.  Most of my "stuff" is packed, although I haven't weighed my main suitcase to see if I am overweight or not.  Part of me just says "pay the extra" but I'm not sure if that's really wise.  I can cut back on a few clothing items - and maybe find some things to wear at the stores in Manila or CDO.  The only real problem with buying clothes there is finding something that fits my 6'3 200+ Amerikano frame --  most Filipinos are about a foot shorter and 60 pounds lighter.  They just don't have a need to sell clothing in size "giant -- extra-fat".

Bohol from the air

I have a few chores to do around the house today plus a bit of writing that I MUST get finished today.  Most of the day will be rather mundane activities -- a run to the county landfill, dropping off my absentee ballot for the presidential election, getting a watchband repaired ( just a new pin), and calling my credit card companies to let them know I will be travelling overseas and using my cards on occasion while in the Philippines.  I have a few toiletry items to pick up -- razors, deodorant, shaving cream -- that's about it. Pack it all, weigh it, make any adjustments and go from there.

Then there's the waiting.  I am sure I will find things to do, including last minute emails, little home projects or even organizing a few tools in the garage.  The biggest issue is . . .  do I go to bed tonight, or do I stay up all night in an effort to adjust my "clock" for the 14 hour time difference that I will soon be facing.  Depending on how things go during the day, I may take an extended nap in the late afternoon and then stay up late.  I will be leaving the house at around 4:00 am.  I know if I try going to bed early that I will just toss and turn.  Guess we will see what happens.  In the grand scheme of things, how I deal with it  is not all that important -- I will get there and deal with it on the other end.  Knowing me, I will be to "amped-up" to sleep anyway.

I guess that's it for now.  Maybe I will say a few words while in one of the airports along the way.  Certainly by Nov 1 (Manila time)  I will post something here to give my status and travel observations.  You never know when there will be an interesting tale to present.

Mabuhay