Everything is packed and ready to go but it always worries me if there is something I forgot to bring or if there is one thing more that I need to buy.  I don't have lots of free space if I wanted to buy anything because I decided that I didn't want to bring a huge suitcase to haul around everywhere.  I am just bringing a carry-on sized bag along with a backpack and am hoping that it all works out.  Anything I buy will probably end up in some small corner of my suitcase now because, even though it is small, I do have room for a souvenir or two from Africa, which I believe will be the only touristy shopping we actually do during this whole trip, but we shall see what Europe has in store.  It is all just so exciting and I can't believe that I actually get to have "class" in the African Safari or in the French and Swiss Alps.  A classroom never looked so inviting!