Nigeria Bound

I've resurrected this blog for one really good reason.

I'm not saying that I might not keep up with it after, but let us be honest here - I don't exactly have the best track record with regard to blogging consistency. Unless you consider "mushy" to be an acceptable consistency.

I got an email a few months ago from a friend and colleague, the Tony Award winning sound designer of Fela!, with a really compelling first line:

"Are you interested in a little trip to Africa?"

Am I?

AM I‽‽

You bet your sweet ass I am.

So I will be going with the show to Lagos, Nigeria, at the very end of March, and returning the first of May, for a month of, most likely, utter insanity. Yes, I am terribly excited. Yes, I have been vaccinated against a laundry list of baddies (and yes, I am one of the 25% of yellow fever vaccinees who enjoy flu like symptoms afterwards, thanks for asking.) No, I will not be sending anyone (including my mom, so don't feel bad) constant status checks. I will be updating this blog regularly while I am there, and I hope to at least have some pictures to show. My contract, amusingly enough, explicitly states that internet connection charges will be covered by the company (it's in the clause with my hotel room), so I anticipate at least a passing relationship with the internet while I am there. Not bad for a developing nation, I'll take it.

I haven't even started to prepare for the trip, other than to take an absurdly expensive trip to see a travel doctor and get my battery of shots. I can't get into Nigeria without the yellow fever vaccine, but in addition, I got typhoid, hepatitis and meningococcal meningitis, as well as boosters for polio and that old standard, tetanus/diphtheria. Together with what I am told is a very spendy prescription for Malarone for malaria prophylaxis and a precautionary antibiotic prescription, I am all set. Or will be when I get reimbursed for the doctor's visit and can contemplate purchasing the Malarone!

Since I'm in previews with a show at Playwrights right now, I'm still quite busy with my ordinary, domestic life, and I have not yet broached the subject of packing, even within the confines of my skull. I just know I need to buy some jeans. I seem to have two pairs, and I don't quite think that will cut it.