OK, this is the first of what I hope to be many blog posts over the next 4-6 weeks. But the reality is, there may not be internet access in many of the places I'm going (it's very rural and hilly in the project areas), but hey I'll try.

It's not long now.... I'm leaving in three weeks for Vietnam. For an experience. No scratch that, an experience of a lifetime.

I'll assume you've all read the "About Leah" part which explains what this trip is all about, so won't explain it again here. But if you haven't, you can read it on the front page of the blog.

So, the practical side of me (or as Brian the psych who I had a pre-travel briefing with would say: the "crisis" value - read here "always be prepared") is coming out and I'm starting to organise the 'stuff' I need to do.... Those of you who know me well will know this is no surprise. Here's the mental list so far....

• Start to pack my bag (don't forget to get the packing list from Julie - someone I'm travelling with who has much more experience in travelling to these areas than me!)
• Read the huge pile of documentation for the project (of which I have killed about three trees to print, sorry environment!),
• Ring Telstra to work out whether my iPhone will work where I'm going and how to avoid being charged ridiculous amounts of money in internet usage
• Clear the camera SD cards
• Buy some clothes - they say it's humid and very hot this time of year in Vietnam. If I had to nominate the weather I hate the most, this would be it
• Finish Vietnamese lessons and try to revise all that I've learnt so I can at least have a basic conversation with people I'm interacting with!

And so it goes on.... this is the start of the journey. I look forward to sharing it with you all. Till next time!