Making a list and checking it twice

Posted on May 6, 2015 Updated on May 7, 2015

I’m a list kind of guy. I like writing down, on real paper with a pencil, the things I have to do. I feel a small sense of accomplishment as I cross items off the list, one by one, until everything is complete.

My list-making and crossing off isn’t like it was when I was working for Uncle Sam. Back then, it was a daily occurrence, as there was always something I had to write down and check off, or I’d run the risk of missing a deadline or report.

These days, I have no deadlines, no reports, and the list-making is limited to completing chores or for keeping track of some of the more mundane parts of life, such as doctor visits, grocery shopping, phone calls, and picking up prescriptions.

But, with Uganda looming on the horizon, my list-making is a bit more significant.

Traveling to Uganda is not like traveling to Kansas.

You just don’t buy a ticket and go although, thanks to a very dear Ugandan friend who has been helping greatly, that’s closer to the fact than any other trip we’ve ever taken.

Our friend Aloysius has worked out an itinerary for our visit that’s more detailed than anything I’ve seen from any travel agent. He’s arranges transportation and lodging, and has been taking care of many of the arrangements for the people and organizations we’ll be visiting. If not for that, we’d be a lot more stressed out, as our day of departure nears, than we already are and will be.

For our part, we’ve got our plane tickets, are working on our Visas, and have taken care of the shots we need for a short visit. We’ve ordered some of the must-have items we need for the trip. We’ve visited our doctor and have anti-malarial and anti-dysentery prescriptions. We have someone who will watch our two small dogs while we’re gone, but still need to find a cat sitter.

We have letters of introduction from two Priest friends (and are waiting for another one from a third Priest), and are working on putting together background check and education records for some non-profit work we’re considering. We’ve registered our trip with the U.S. State Department, for emergencies.

From other trips and travels, we know we’re going to miss something but, hopefully, my making a list and checking it twice (and more) will lessen the inevitability of screwing up.

Maybe this post is more OCD pre-trip jitters than anything else but, hey, it’s all I’ve got.