T minus 10

Counting down the days to lift off, we are now at T minus 10 days. I am acutely aware now of the shortness of time remaining before we have none left to complete all the tasks that remain to do prior to flying. Each day I make a list of these tasks and try to accomplish as many of them as I can, but some of them invariably get bumped forward to join those already on the next day's list. Today a whole new unforeseen set of tasks were added to the mix when a simple bureaucratic mission to a government office turned into what will amount to a scavenger hunt for more documents and papers at other offices. I will have to wait until next week to obtain them -- if that is even possible, considering the even and odd days the offices I must visit next week are open to receive the public. And next week is the ONLY whole week left. There are so many loose ends left to tie up. I'm beginning to be aware of the natural fact that something always has to remain incomplete when a trip begins. It's inevitable.

Today we visited our Rabbi, Mauricio Balter. An underlying theme of this trip will be to visit Jewish communities wherever we go. Rabbi Balter gave us the literature we asked for from our synagogue so we can properly represent Congregation Eshel Avraham if we meet people who are interested in knowing more. He also gave us the names of contact people it will be useful to communicate with while we are in the States, especially during the High Holiday season.

Another task I attempted today was to learn about acquiring traveler's checks. It turns out that our bank doesn't issue them. We were told at the bank that the post office is where we should get them. Yet another task that has been deferred for another day.