Let the Countdown Begin!

With only one week left, things are starting to feel real!

First things first, the itinerary has been booked:

DATE  AIRLINE              FLT    CLASS     FARE BASIS      STATUS
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------
 01SEP TURKISH AIRLINES     18     ECONOMY   MVRT            CONFIRMED
            LV: TORONTO ON         AT: 2355  DEPART: TERMINAL 1
            AR: ISTANBUL           AT: 1645  ARRIVE: INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL
         
 07SEP TURKISH AIRLINES     603    ECONOMY   MVRT            CONFIRMED
            LV: ISTANBUL           AT: 1910  DEPART: INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL
            AR: DAR ES SALAAM      AT: 0245
 
 06OCT TURKISH AIRLINES     604    ECONOMY   MVRT            CONFIRMED
            LV: DAR ES SALAAM      AT: 0345
            AR: ISTANBUL           AT: 1050  ARRIVE: INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL
             
 06OCT TURKISH AIRLINES     17     ECONOMY   MVRT            CONFIRMED
            LV: ISTANBUL           AT: 1315  DEPART: INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL
            AR: TORONTO ON         AT: 1725  ARRIVE: TERMINAL 1

And, yes you're reading correctly - there will be a quick stop off in Turkey before heading to Tanzania!  Since Tahir and I are somewhat heading in a similar direction and we get one stop over, we thought we would make it in a place that works out for both us - Turkey!  We'll be spending 5 days in Istanbul, after which, I'll be heading to Tanga, and Tahir to Al-Ayn (after doing some travelling in Eastern Europe on his own).  Typically CSC teams travel after the assignment in-country is complete, but I don't think it's typical for a husband and wife to have the opportunity to be part of the same program - so we're doing it up a little differently!

Even though it's not technically supposed to be part of the blog, I'll still post on our adventures in Turkey....it is part of the whole experience afterall!

The next part is the host organization in Tanga!  I found out that I will be working with the Vocational Education and Training Authority in Tanzania (VETA).  Based on some initial research, VETA is a government agency that is responsible for the managing and oversight of vocational training and education in Tanzania.  I, along with 3 other IBMers from around the world (US, Hungary, India), will be working with VETA to develop a strategy on how the organization can use Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to improve learning and teaching within their schools.  The ultimate goal of the strategy, of course, is to develop a strong domestic skilled resource pool that can fulfill the skills demand in various industries around Tanzania.  

Over the past few weeks our team has chosen the team lead (well, the random number generator put that role in my lap), received our first set of interview questions completed by VETA, and finalized our workplan.  We'll be presenting the work plan to the broader Tanzania9 team on our weekly call, and will be presenting it to our host organization the first week of September  - so stay tuned for an update on that!

From a travel readiness perspective (I know, I know...i couldn't think of a better term and I'm in work mode), vaccinations, visas and other due diligence is now officially complete (I was a little nervous about the Visa since the lady at the consulate was away on vacation, but thankfully it came in late last week!).  We also just found out our location in Tanga - which is going to be at the Tanga Beach Resort.  From the reviews, looks like it's a nice, clean place to call home for the next month - and being right on the Indian Ocean doesn't hurt (although I can definitely see it being a distraction!)

I think that covers the first part!  It'll be a mad rush to get home from Calgary this week because I only have 1 day to unpack and pack again before we leave on our trip!  Stay tuned for more blogging to come!