Behold:



Is it strange that I'm more excited for a trumpet festival then I am to go to Africa?

Part 2 of my summer has been confirmed! I'm flying to Belgrade (Belgrade!) on July 31, hanging around Serbia for a week, then heading down to Guca for some brass music and slivovice, then taking an overnight train to Greece to lie on a beach, eat fish and chill with my family. I return to London on August 28.

I got a pretty good deal on my ticket. I'm flying in and out of Detroit, which took the price down a substantial margin. I fly to Belgrade with Air France via Paris, and then fly back from Thessaloniki via Athens (with Olympic) and Atlanta (Delta).

So I am basically taking two trips for the price of one: I'm not paying for my ticket to Africa, and once I get to Greece my expenses will be covered by the Bank of Mom and Dad.

Also,

So my first trip is booked! I want to reprint my itinerary because it's so effing awesome.

June 4: AC Jazz #7724. Depart London 20:20, arrive Toronto 21:02.
June 4: Air Canada #90. Depart Toronto 22:45, arrive Sao Paulo 9:55 (June 5)
June 5: South African Airlines #223. Depart Sao Paulo 18:00, arrive Johannesburg 7:40 (June 6)
June 6: SA Airlines #142. Depart Johannesburg 9:40, arrive Maputo 10:45

July 9: TAP Portugal #278. Depart Maputo 17:35, arrive Lisbon 5:45 (July 10)
July 10: TAP #354. Depart Lisbon 8:10, arrive Heathrow 10:50
July 10: AC #857. Depart Heathrow 12:05, arrive Toronto 14:45
July 10: AC Jazz #7717. Depart Toronto 16:50, arrive London 17:30

EXCITING! New airlines, new airports, a flight over the South Atlantic, and, oh yeah, 5 weeks in Mozambique. I'm more than likely going to check out Malawi as well. 5 weeks is not enough - Mozambique is a BIG country - but it's the best I can do right now.

I was briefly considering going into Sao Paulo during the 8 hour layover I have there for I've decided not to for multiple reasons (cost of a visa, distance to the city center, unpredictable traffic jams). Too bad, I had visions of spending my June 5 eating sushi in Liberdade. Guarulhos Airport will have to do!

Um, should I be learning Portuguese?

I am scheming a trip. Actually, I am scheming two trips. I will not divulge what they are for fear of jinxing them, but I guess I can divulge the following:

a) Portuguese is very prominently involved. Think I can learn Portuguese in three months?

b) A flugelhorn may be prominently involved. Several flugelhorns, actually.

c) I am not going to Iran/Armenia/Georgia. This was originally my plan, but unrest in Armenia has put the kibosh on that. I've had a long year (which isn't even over yet), and I don't particularly feel like dealing with political instability/danger/violence this summer. I guess I'm getting soft.