Today is August 11, 2016. In two months, I will be getting on an airplane and flying to New York, and then onto Cairo, Egypt for a trip I have wanted to take since I was 9 years old.

I am hoping to document my travels in this journal, and then, to maybe print it out into a nice permanent book once I'm back to the States. I also hope this is the first of many trips.

After all, I have a new passport and it needs to be stamped up!

In the meantime--until my trip starts--I will be blogging my preparations because I am so OBSESSED with this tip that I am over-planning and dreaming. This will give me a chance to get used to this app ahead of time.

I've already purchased most of what I can imagine that I need for the trip:

Three very light weight solar protective shirts--long sleeved because that's most appropriate in Egypt, and three pairs of lightweight travel pants that look nice, but weigh next to nothing. Both shirts and pants can be washed in a sink and dry quickly.

I bought a selfie stick, because I realized that I don't need a lot of photos of the antiquities I will see--I have HUNDREDS already taken by professional photographers under ideal conditions. What I need are photos of ME at the sites, along with my co-travelers and my own experiences.

I've purchased a voltage converter, mostly because I'll need to charge my electronics on the trip.

I got a lightweight water resistant jacket for the evenings. It folds up into a small pocket.

I got a "bright as all daylights" flashlight

Two thumb drives for my iPhone so I can transfer photos every night and free up space on my phone. I don't want to EVER get any lack of space messages when I'm taking a photo or video.

Sunblock. I bought professional sunblock recommended by dermatologist.

A Tilley sun hat--50 SPF--so I can pretend to be Indiana Jones, and not burn my face.

What else can I POSSIBLY need?

I'm sure other things will come to my mind. But for today, I feel prepared and filled with anticipation.

Loving what is!