Provisions

pro·vi·sion (pr-vzhn)
n.
1. The act of supplying or fitting out.
2. Something provided.
3. A preparatory action or measure.
4. provisions A stock of necessary supplies, especially food.
5. A stipulation or qualification, especially a clause in a document or agreement.
tr.v. pro·vi·sioned, pro·vi·sion·ing, pro·vi·sions
To supply with provisions.
[Middle English, from Old French, forethought, from Latin prvsi, prvsin-, from prvsus, past participle of prvidre, to foresee, provide for; see provide.]
pro·vision·er n.

From the free dictionary
To be prepared. For safari or for old age.

TO BE IN AFRICA

GEAR. Stuff to make life more comfortable
Notebook and pens
Chapstick
Bandana
Water bottle, hiking boots, wide brim hat.
Luscious color and hot lips. The colors of Africa. Red earth, purple mountains, sienna grass... I look forward to first seeing the light of the country. The warm dark skin wrapped in reds and yellows, the stampede of dust on the savannah, new grass after the rains, purple sunsets, the vast space, the equatorial sun. To sing and dance barefoot in the dirt. Listen for the sounds of the winds, the crackling bushes, the morning coos. Smell the hot earth, dry bushes, cold night air. Far far away from civilization, electronic devices, out of network. In the company of the wild.

Long patterns of stripes, flowers, quilt like patches, dusty white dark feet, white teeth and big eyes, beads wound round and round long necks, wooly hair wrapped in bandannas of colorful cotton, sarongs tied around the waist in layers of lavish faded cotton of clashing colors. Is this not joy?

Could I be disappointed in the smells of Africa? The colors of the land, the people? Will the food taste bitter and the water of the earth? Will I lie awake in my tent at night afraid of the crackling bush and footsteps of lions? Will I long for emails from friends, shopping on line, the nightly CBS news cast? The garden and book club meetings? The YMCA water aerobics, my bedroom chair and high bed? Will I long for shopping at Costco , TJ Max, Target? Will I miss the old familiar or take flight in this new country? Soar on new wings.