My journey starts with a scavenger hunt.  Visas, shots, and all the things I’m convinced I can’t live without for 9 months.  OK, visas first.  Nigeria and Ghana seem the most likely places I’ll be frequenting.  Work permits, residence permits each have their own needs.  Lots of pictures of my ugly mug, and some questions I can’t really answer.  Like, when do I leave? (Now I know that.  Then I didn’t.); when do I return? (beats me);  where will I be living? (not sure since addresses there are a bit vague and seem to include stuff like “Off Idejo St.” and “near <something>”).  My favorite treasure from the hunt:  a notarized letter from the Ada County Sherriff’s Department proclaiming that I’m truly a mensch.  I will treasure that.