Days 43-63

Here are the links for the next two weeks: 
 
Niger River (We travel along this for awhile)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niger_River

Mopti
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mopti

Djenne
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Djenné

Bandiagara Escarpment
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandiagara_Escarpment
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dogon_people

http://wikitravel.org/en/Dogon_Country
(In order to go to the cliff dwellings in Dogon Country, there is a tradition requiring a sacrifice of an animal before we are allowed to go in.)

Burkina-Doogoo
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burkina_Faso

Ghana
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghana

Mole National Park
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mole_National_Park

Kakum National Park
http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kakum_National_Park

Cape Coast
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Coast

Accra
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accra

That's One Smart Cookie

My fortune cookies have been eerily accurate lately:





- Sent using my iPad

Days 29-42

For weeks 5 and 6, we cross into the Sahara Desert, the second biggest desert on earth after Antaritca. We leave civilization behind and it is nice to know our truck is totally self sufficient with food, water, fuel and has a complete set of spares.
 
Sahara Desert
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sahara 
 

Mauritania
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauritania
Parc D’Arguin (National Park)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banc_d'Arguin_National_Park
Nouakchott
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nouakchott
Sahel (Scrublands)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sahel
Bamako
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bamako

Days 15-28

More links for week 3 and 4:
 
Rabat - Stop 6
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabat
Todra Gorge - Stop 7
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Todra_Gorge
Sarhro Mountains - Stop 8
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlas_Mountains
Draa Valley - Stop 9
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Draa_River
Kasbah - Stop 10
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kasbah
Ait Benhaddou - Stop 11
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aït_Benhaddou
Marrekech - Stop 12
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marrakech
Essaouira - Stop 13
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essaouira

England and Days 1-14

I feel so lucky I get to spend some time in England before starting my trip. I am staying in an adorable Bed & Breakfast for two nights before flying to Spain.

 

The Bakewell House B&B (http://www.bakewellhouse.co.uk/) is just outside London in Luton, Bedfordshire. The host, Alison, meets you at the door with  tea and homemade cakes. She has even served the Queen! 

 

After England, I fly to southern Spain to begin my adventure. Here are a few links for each city I will visit during the first two weeks of my trip:

 

Gibraltar - Start
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gibraltar
Ceuta - Stop 1
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceuta
Chefchaouen - Stop 2
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chefchaouen
Rif - Stop 3
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rif
Volubilis - Stop 4
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volubilis
Fes - Stop 5
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fes

Kids, Don't Do Drugs

-Unless you are going to Africa. In that case take loads of them. That is what I'm doing!

I just got my year supply of anti-malaria pills and bunches of other medications. I've also finished getting all my shots. I already had a Yellow Fever one but I had to get eight more such as Rabies and Typhoid.

Fun fact: all in all, I've gotten 42 shots in my life.

Fun fact #2: I REALLY don't like shots.

But now I am ready to be bitten by rabid animals, diseased mosquitoes, and quite possibly a zombie giraffe- and live to tell the tale! However, I hope none of those things happen. 

First iPad Post, First Visa

This post is being sent from my iPad. If you're reading this, I guess it worked.

Aaaaaaand I also got my first visa back! The Embassy of Ghana officially thinks I'm fit/immunized/not-a-huge-security-breach enough to let me in.

It's a long-term visa too. So if in the next sixty months I have an overwhelming urge to pack up and head to Ghana, I am all set =). But at least for now, I will be there in January and February.

Below is Ghana's flag.




Ghana here I come!

Sent using my iPad

Snail Mail

The easiest and most reliable way to stay in touch with me for the ten months I'm gone is through email or facebook (conveniently located to your right :-) ). On average I'll be able to have internet access every week or two.

There is also snail mail. Below are the Posts Restante addresses that you can correspond to. The African mailing system is okay but nothing can be guaranteed so DO NOT SEND VALUABLES.

It is advisable that the surname is written first in Capitals, followed by the first name. Making sure that you use the same name that appears on my passport. Allow at least 7 days for mail to arrive in Africa.

9 weeks after departure:

SIRIANNI, Anna Tenise

C/ O POSTE RESTANTE

MAIN POST OFFICE

ACCRA

GHANA

21 weeks after departure :

SIRIANNI, Anna Tenise

MAIN POST OFFICE
C/ O POST RESTANTE

SWAKOPMUND

NAMIBIA

23 weeks after departure :

SIRIANNI, Anna Tenise
C/ O POST RESTANTE

MAIN POSTE OFFICE

CAPE TOWN

SOUTH AFRICA

32 weeks after departure :

SIRIANNI, Anna Tenise
C/ O POST RESTANTE

MAIN POST OFFICE

NAIROBI

KENYA

40 weeks after departure :

SIRIANNI, Anna Tenise
C/ O POST RESTANTE

MAIN POST OFFICE

CAIRO

EGYPT

Where I'm Going

Whenever someone asks where I am going and I answer with "Africa", it feels like a vague response. "Africa" is a pretty big place. It’s a whole continent!

This map should make it easier to picture where I am to travel.  

HOW COOL IS THAT!?

Keep in mind we are driving the whole way (with a couple ferries). This is the truck we will be in:

It's a beast but I love it already.