Dearest Rachel –
As we’re preparing to head out to the Just One headquarters in Honduras, we’ve been advised not to bring along anything that would announce that it (or we) are worth money. To be sure, there’s no preventing me from taking my computer; if nothing else, I need it to conduct my lesson plan – and given that it’s several years old already, it’s not worth as much as it used to be. Heck, it’s hardly capable of running the latest and greatest A.I. programs out there these days.
But there are a few things that are a part of my regular sartorial ensemble that I probably shouldn’t be wearing down there, just in case. The most obvious, of course, being the ring with your diamond as its centerpiece; I’m sure that it would command a couple thousand as collateral in some pawn shop wherever it would be presented. However, I suspect that it would hardly be worth, as a generic one-carat diamond, anywhere near what I paid for it to be made out of your ashes – to say absolutely nothing about its sentimental value that only I would impute to it – so it will have to stay right here at home, lest something untoward happen to it while down there.
Which is not to say that you’re not coming with me at all, especially since Daniel won’t be at my elbow to express disapproval at casting you about. To be sure, I’ve already left a little bit of you behind in Honduras on the previous trip, but as I neglected to take you with on our more fun excursion, I’m sure you wouldn’t mind a second trip down there for me to leave you in a more ‘fun’ place.
Obviously, this is only scratching the surface of what I need to pack for the coming week. Although, it’s not as if the clothes-and-computer portion of the process is all that difficult; I’ll never say that I have it down to a science (for one thing, I can almost guarantee that I’ll pack too much, just so I have options, especially since I don’t really know what ‘winter’ is like down there), but the personal stuff is so basic as to not really require a whole lot of thought. I’m going to stick to the single pair of jeans that I’ll be wearing on the flight – although I will include a pair of shorts that will double as swim trunks if need be – so most of what I need to include will be various shirts (tee, polo and casual long-sleeved), socks and underwear. Simple and straightforward. In fact, if it wasn’t for my insistence (well, I’d call it need, especially since I’m going to be teaching a class or two using it) on bringing my computer, I might really only need a single piece of luggage on this trip.
Except… my stuff isn’t everything that I’m taking with me. At the briefing on Sunday, it was mentioned that there were some supplies that needed to be brought down with us, and those of us who were checking baggage were asked if we would be willing to make room for such supplies; basically, it was like last time around, when I carted some of the power tools for another traveler when his bag was overweight. This time around, I doubt that weight is going to be the real problem as much as sheer volume.
In any case, there’s a lot going on as I get everything ready to ship out in the wee hours of the morning. Since I lost both bug spray and sunscreen last time I was down there, I’ve had to pick those up today (although I found a can of the latter in the house after going and buying it, much to my chagrin). Likewise, since the power strip I bought for the previous trip has been put to use here at home (Parkinson’s Law at work yet again), I’ve had to get a new one to bring with as well, complete with USB chargers for phone and tablets. I’m also running a couple of loads of laundry, despite probably not needing it before the trip; an extra pair of socks or two couldn’t hurt, and if Daniel needs clean clothes while I’m gone, best to have them provided for. I’ll also need to get a little running cash, since Logan hasn’t been able to pay me for December’s rent, and pick up something for dinner for the two of us.
All in all, while I’d like to be in bed, snug and warm, getting as much sleep as I can before the Uber arrives, I don’t think I’m going to make that self-imposed deadline. Still, if you could keep an eye on me, and wish me luck, I’d appreciate it, honey. I’m pretty sure I’m going to need it.
Letters to Rachel 