East to Rwanda

Leaving for Rwanda in the morning and I hope I accounted for everything. With the Peace Corps its was easy they mailed you a plane ticket and said come on. This time around, I am on my own in a manner of speaking, big brother is not around to hold my hand. I am a little nervous, however, I know traveling to far away places is something I do really well.

Two things I am trying not to do before I leave:

1.) Wreck my truck

I went to Trinidad over the Thanksgiving holiday and the day before I left my neighbor decided to use me as target practice, that was a nightmare. Consequently If you have happened to get behind a truck that was driving like it was hunting for the early bird, that was probably me.

2.) Don't forget Passport and or walk around money.

Even though most people realize that I am a rock star, approaching the ticket counter and stating that "my name is Matt Stellbauer and yall better straighten up" without a passport in hand would cause me to lose automatically. As not to become someones "You'll Never Guess What Happened at Work Today Story", it would be in my best interest to not forget my passport.

Secondly and this is a lesson learned in the Peace Corps. Flights from the Caribbean Islands to the United States are less than reliable. Missing a connecting flight and not having any money to buy a taco is a demoralizing experience.

Its because of this point that I carry a hundred dollar bill in my wallet. After missing my flight and realizing that I have just become destitute, I bummed a quarter off of a random Australian gentlemen to place a call. This Aussie just happened to have an envelope overflowing with hundred dollar bills. Over hearing my call and the terror in my voice, he so kindly gave me enough money for a hotel room and 2 tacos. Karma has it out for me and by god I am not going to let it down, I am about to buy some one a chalupa.

To that end, here is to a great summer filled with many adventures and interesting people.