more things beginning with "S"

hey chaps and chapesses,

sorry but have run out of time this w/e to give too much of an update.

however, check out what I've been up to instead:

I jumped out of a plane flying at 10,000 feet....

There was 30 seconds of free fall over the Namibian sand dunes and sea....

The parachute opened and all was still and tranquil for a while....

Then my tandem skydiving partner decided to spin us around a million times just because he could....

Yep, an exceptional experience and apparently the most fun you can have with your clothes on!!!! That's what they boast at the skydiving club that I flew with and I'm not commenting on it! You will just have to try it for yourself and see!

Having a ball!

p

xxxxxx

O U C H !!@*&%@%!!

Hi all, Hope you are all well. Me? Well, I'm am now a whole lot better thanks.

This update is in place of one I promised in my last blog as it's news hot off the press and a subject matter deserving some air time!

A few days ago, I was stung by a scorpion!!! Aaaaargh! Not an encounter I would wish on anyone! It has taken me a good 2-3 days to recover with a hell of a lot of pain along the way!

This incident happened after a whole set of various similar incidents that had got us all paranoid to the point of hilarity. In summary,

• The week before, Maarten (one of the volunteers) had spotted a very large black scorpion in the rocks in front of where he was brushing his teeth - the largest one anyone in the team had seen. It was a scary creature!
• Ben (project staff) got stung by a scorpion on his back whilst he was sleeping - Monday
• Peter (one of the volunteers) got stung on Tuesday whilst picking up a log for firewood
• On Wednesday evening, as we set up camp on the riverbed, we found another large scorpion in the firewood log. It was one of the more poisonous ones.
• That same evening, Hendrick (project staff) got 2 stings on his leg off a small scorpion he found crawling up his trouser leg after we'd finished our evening session of sit ups! Double aaaaargh!

Apparently, scorpions are more active in these few months just before the rains come! And, yes, they certainly were active!!! So, with all of the above, by the time we went to bed on Wednesday night, we were all completely on edge! Now, not sure whether I've mentioned this before, but we sleep out under the stars ALL the time. We don't have tents. It is, by far, the best way - except when you're feeling vuenerable and are paranoid about small, stingy creatures, beginning with "S"!

So, imagine the scene on Wednesday night. We had 12 volunteer all zipped up to the eyeballs in their 4-seasons sleeping bags sweltering inside as the temperature outside was warm, even at 11pm at night! It was a hilarious sight! We all felt it was better to be hot ands not sleep than get stung! Anytime we felt anything in the night on our sleeping bags, we'd wake up with a start, put our torches on to see if it was a scorpion. Complete paranoia had set in! We were very jumpy!

Fast-forward to the next morning: we woke at 6am and started getting ourselves ready. We had to breakfast, pack up camp and leave by 7am. So, there I was, thinking I'd survived the night together with the rest of the team! Everyone was starting to feel a little calmer.

I wanted to get my clothes out of my day pack to change into. I opened my bag, which was just next to my sleeping bag, and put my left hand in!!!

O U C H!!!!!!!

Let's just say the word "shit" and a few, far more ruder words came streaming out of my mouth at that point. I pulled my hand out and stepped back a few paces, convincing myself that I was overreacting to the pain. I said to the others (who were now all turned towards me, stopped in their tracks from their morning rituals) that it was probably just a thorn from the Acacia tree that must have fallen into my bag!!! Yeah right!!! Then, for what seemed to be an eternity, and which was in fact only 5-10 seconds, no-one seemed to move! I was clinging my left hand very tightly and in complete agony! More swear words under my breath! Then I heard Dave (the project lead for patrol week) shout my name, ordering me to get over to the other side of the truck where he was getting the medical kit out. As I went to walk towards him, I heard a whole lot of commotion in the background, with Maarten saying/confirming that it was a scorpion in my bag!!!! Great!

I hesitated for a few seconds before getting to Dave as I was bare feet and didn't want to walk from the tarp onto the sand for fear of more scorpions!!! Tineka took of her sandals and gave them to me. I put them on just as Dave came towards me and grabbed my left hand asking for where I'd been stung. I showed him and he put this pen-sized contraption to my index finger at the top, 1st crease/joint just where I'd been stung. The contraption is a very basic plunger which creates a suction. He pressed the top to create a suction and then waited a few seconds. He did this 3 times, and each time, a very little, clear, jell-like fluid came out. Dave was well impressed! Apparently this is exactly what is supposed to happen - the poison was being sucked out. His exact comment was "Hey, a nice sting you have there"!!! My response: "Well, I'm glad you like it"!!! Lots of swearing under my breath was still going on. The pain was intense. It felt like someone had just hammered a rather large nail/needle all the way THROUGH my finger and bone. The pain now seeping into the rest of my hand. I cannot even begin to describe the intensity of this pain. Suffice it to say, it was as painful as being shot in my other finger by that air rifle!!!!! Yeah, I guess that doesn't really help you guys imagine the pain either! Well, it's the only reference point I have! Dave then looked at me and said that I really needed to listen carefully to what he was about to tell me: "This is going to be very painful and will result in the pain going all the way up my arm. I will feel the hand and arm going numb with pins and needles. I may also see a red line all the way up my arm as the body tries to get rid of the poison through the glads at the top of my arm!!" Uuuumh! OK, I could handle that! No problem! I have to say, Dave was very cool and in control, and that helped me stay calm. He finished by wiping off the poison with a sterile wipe and putting a plaster on my finger. There, there! Now all I needed was a real big hug and someone to kiss it better! Uuuumh! Like I said, no place to be a girly-girl! It BLOODY hurt like hell and in hind-sight, I should have just asked for that hug and cried a little! Oh well! Missed opportunity!

Anyway, the next thing was to just carry on: get ready, break camp, load up and leave for patrol. Maarten helped a lot. I couldn't even bring myself to put my hand inside my day pack again! He emptied my pack to prove there was no scorpion inside and also helped me check my sleeping bag. Nothing! Thank God! By that time, everyone filled me in on the commotion that had gone on whilst I was being treated. Yes, they had id-ed the scorpion. They would show me in the book later (and I was genuinely interested). They had taken a photo of it for positive identification and also killed it! I didn't particularly agree with the latter, but it's a very natural reaction, not least in order to ensure that other people didn't get stung by the same thing in camp. Everyone was very helpful and kind and mindful! Can't thank them enough!

Later that day and subsequently, this is what I have found out about the scorpion that stung me.

Name: Parabuthus Brevimanus.

In southern Africa, 20 species of Parabuthus are distributed throughout the sub region, predominantly diverse in the arid and semi-arid regions. These large scorpions are the most venomous scorpions in southern Africa. Lengths range from 50mm to 180mm. Their distribution is influenced by rainfall, generally occurring in areas receiving less than 600mm of annual rainfall. Most species inhabit sandy regions.
All members of this genus except P. distridor have rough areas on the upper surface of the first tail segment. In many species the second tail segment is also characterised by a second rough area on its upper surface. These scorpions scrape their sting on these rough areas, thus producing a ‘chick-chick’ sound. Their tails are extremely thick, strong with keels. Their pincers are smooth and weak. Many species are able to produce large amounts of venom from their large venom glands.

The Parabuthus Brevimanus is 50mm long, one of the smallest in the genus. This species is widespread throughout Namibia and adjacent areas in the Northern Cape. Although its venom is potent, it is not of medical importance because of it's size.

On the "venom scale" in the Scorpion book we have, it is categorised as a 9 and 10 out of 10 (1 being least venomous, 10 being the most). Drop for drop, scorpion venoms are the most powerful known, comparable to snake neurotoxins and exceeded in strength only by certain bacterial toxins. However, there is much variation in the venom strength between species and the venom of different populations of the same species. In comparison, the scorpions that had stung the other team members that week were rated at 5 or 6 out of 10 on the venom scale. Needless to say, the stings are all just as painful and must not be underestimated!

I also talked to Joe (EHRA founder) re the scorpion. He confirm what I was already thinking: I was one very, very, very lucky girl to have had Dave do his thing as quickly as he did. He reckoned he managed to suck out about 50-60% of the venom. The numbness in my arm only reached a third of the way up. Without that prompt action, I would have been very ill right now. Joe has previously been stung on his leg by one of the species. His leg was paralysed for about 4 days and he is 6 foot tall!!

Needless to say, Dave has now made it to "my heroes" list! Picture of him below:

Thanks Dave, Maarten and Tineka....you all know what you did, and I am very grateful.

Next update will be what I'd promised about last time! Until then, keep well.

hugs and kisses

P x

This is no place for a girly-girl....

...nor a girly-boy for that matter! You'll see what I mean as you read on.

Hope you are all well and being good. Uuumh! Thought so! I was glad to receive the odd few messages from various people over the last few weeks, so keep 'em coming. It's always good to hear from you.

Me? Well, what can I say? I've just completed my 1st 2-week stint as a volunteer on the EHRA (Elephant Human Relations Aid) project based in Damaraland, 3.5 hours north of Swakopmund by dilapidated truck. I have so much to update you on. So much has happened, so much more has been experienced! I want to share it all...except it is not possible given the short time I have at the internet. So, I'll update you on the main things to give you a feel for experiences to-date. Suffice it to say, for everything I tell you about, there will be a million other things that will have been left out! I have learnt a huge amount already, although have only skimmed the surface. There is still more to find out, much more waiting to be discovered!

Talking about the weather...

Namibia is a hot, desolate, harsh and unforgiving land. It's Spring here at the moment and it's hot. I mean REALLY hot! A desert environment in the truest sense. It's going to get hotter over the next couple of months before the rains come - if they come at all. It's 30-35C in the shade and over 45C in the sun. At night, the temperature can fall to around 8-10C (which is actually a relief). Through a 24 hour period, our clothing can range from ski-wear (hat, goggles, thermals,wind-proofs etc.) to shorts and t-shirt/tank top (unfortunately, any less is not allowed!! Yes, desperate measures to keep cool do sometimes cross my mind!). The warm clothes are worn when we're travelling at 20-40mph in the open-sided truck around sunrise. B****y freezing! More about that later. The winds during the day start off light and by the afternoon can be quite wild, blowing sand into every space and especially between my eyes and contact lenses (ouch...and double-ouch)! Ski sun-glasses come in handy, although ski-goggles would have been better for keeping out more than just the sand (uuumh....more later)! I am glad for the breeze and the stronger winds as without them, I would literally melt! Now, let's be clear - these winds are like having a hair dryer blowing on you on the second heat setting - but better a hairdryer than nothing is what I say! The sun is harsh. Factor 40 sun lotion is effective for 1 hour 23 mins before I feel I'm burning. I've resorted to wearing long-sleeved shirts in the day....it's the only way! Do I hate it? NOPE! Takes some getting used to and it's tough, but I wouldn't swap this experience for anything. It's cool!

Getting to base camp...

Now back to where I left off from in my last blog.... The project team intros were at 6 in the bar at the hostel. The new volunteers (incl myself) who were starting on 6 Oct had already met through the day. At 6pm, the project staff and the volunteers who had been there for a few weeks came to meet us. And, as usual, all the new names went in one ear and out of the other! I'm so rubbish with names. I guessed that by the time the journey to base camp was over, I'd have enough time to get the names sorted. There were 8 volunteers and 3 staff. All seemed nice enough! We went for dinner that night and then had an early night. We were to start off at midday next day as the truck we were travelling in was "broken" (engine problems) and wasn't going to be ready until Monday. Well guess what....the engine was not ready on Monday so we ended up travelling to base camp in an open-sided truck!!!!!! Travelling in an open-sided vehicle at 45mph on a bumpy, sandy road with a strong, cold sea-breeze blowing in from the coast is NOT FUN! We had to dress in thermals, wind proofs, woolly hats and goggles and basically rattled down the bumpy road, getting a numb bum and freezing all the while. What an experience! Having said that, the views were amazing! The Namibian desert stretched out before us, as flat as a pancake and as far as the eyes could see, with the desolate coastline on one side and an unbroken horizon in full view! Breath-taking! That alone made it worth the ride. Oh, and also the fact that we all got a good facial exfoliation treatment with the sand blowing on our faces!! Free and effective spa treatment to boot! As we turned more inland, we stopped to take off those layers of clothes as the temperature rose. By the time we reached base camp, we were in shorts and t-shirts and sweltering in the heat of the day! Oh, forgot to mention, we had a 4-legged friend accompanying us on this journey. Hannibal. He's huge!!! As some of you may know, dogs and I don't mix well and he sat behind me in the truck, feeling just as rattled, uncomfortable and cold! Poor thing! Poor me! Apparently there were going to be three dogs at base camp that week! Three! THREE! I mean THREE!! Aaaaaarrgh! It was due to a sponsored desert trek taking place that week and Joe (founder of EHRA, and owner of 2 of the dogs) was on the trek and unable to care for them. So they were going to stay with us at base camp for the week! Will tell you more about me and the dogs later. The trek was to raise funds for EHRA and specifically to buy out the shooting licence for one of the elephants from a professional hunter so EHRA could save it from being shot!!! People from many countries had trained, fund raised and trekked through the the desert for this worthy cause. Negotiations with the hunter are in progress and I will update up as and when I hear more. Don't think we're out of the woods on this one yet!

Base Camp...

Wow! What an amazing place! We are based alongside the Ugab river. It is a dry river (as are most rivers in Namibia, except in rainy season). It is roughly a third the width of the Thames at Embankment and not that deep when it flows. The other side of the river has a rather large bolder-hill that turns an amazing pink/ochre colour at sunrise/sunset. So, let me introduce you to my home for the next 2 months: base camp is built between a number of large Ana trees (acacias I believe). The kitchen is an open plan kitchen-diner under one of the trees; the living area has a lovely big fireplace, lit every morning and evening to provide heat and also as a means for us to cook our food (porridge for breakfast, and some rather scrumptious meals for dinner); the living area has a swing hung off a branch of the larger Ana tree. This tree also houses our bedrooms!

pictures: Katy in the kitchen; my "bedroom"; steep stairs down from the tree house; view from by "room"

Yes, we sleep in a tree house. How cool is that? Branches/leaves for ceiling, wooden boards for floor, the tree's trunk for stairs and an amazing river/hill view from the bedrooms! Prime real estate! The living area also has a bar area!! Oli, the resident, very talented, fixer-of-all-things, has also managed to rig up 2 small, quaint lights in the living space and a small fridge off the generator! Real luxury to have cool drinks after a hard day's work! OK, for the rest of the camp - we have 2 toilets (holes into the ground with a toilet seat cover) with incredible views, 2 showers (another luxury) with hot water heated from the sun (bliss) and a rather large workshop space where all the repairs and building prep gets done (Oli's "office"). The most luxurious commodity we have is water! We keep the shower times short and don't wash our hair as often as water needs to be conserved. It's clean water, dug directly from the ground so we don't need to treat it either. What more can you ask for???? I love this place.

---> Oli at the bar

---> relaxing by the fire at sunset

Talking about the birds and the bees...and the elephants...

We wake up at 6 every morning to the wonderful sound of birds all around and beautiful colours of the African sky at sunrise (pink and blue)! Occasionally, we have been woken up way earlier by the call of baboons on the rocks over the river! V loud indeed but pretty amazing! During the day, there are mopani bees that drive us absolutely insane. They are just slightly larger than black flies at home and buzz around our head trying to get into ears, nose and eyes!! My theory is that their sole purpose in life is to drive me mad.

<--- Fran and Katy burning some elephant poo to keep the bees away!

However, Hendrick (another v talented local guide/project leader) told me that they also make honey!!! Uuuuumh. Who needs honey when you can have sanity instead? They also try and get inside your mouth when you are talking!! They look for moisture wherever they can! Like I said, water/moisture is v precious to living creatures out here! The only things that remotely help to keep the bees away are tight-fitting ski sunglasses, the wind/breeze and the smoke from burning dried elephant poo!!! Oh, and at night, they disappear - thank god! Other living creatures around base camp: we share our bedroom space with 2-3 v v large bees with a v large buzz; little small green caterpillars that fall out from the trees onto you, your sleeping bag etc (ug! - they are harmless but I don't like things falling onto me like that. Reminds me of leeches in the Vietnam jungle! ug! ); scorpions - normally under rocks and in logs; springbok (we've seen a few around - they are cute and fast); cheetah's (haven't seen them myself, but Ben (the project leader) saw 3 about half an hour out of camp and we (Hendrik, Doris, Miriam and I) saw fresh footprints on a walk just 5 minutes from camp - aaarrrrgh - they are around and close!!) and of course - elephants!!! Apparently, just the week before we arrived, they had strolled/charged through base camp and into the workshop and caused quite some destruction!!!! The dining table benches and part of the kitchen had to be rebuilt and the vegetable patch at the back was eaten/destroyed!!! The elephants like the seedpods of the Ana tree (it is a favorite of theirs apparently) and they have been known to use base camp as their local drive-through take-away place!!!!!! The seedpods are ripe now and falling off the tree - hence attracting the elephants to visit! Exciting and scary at the same time. You certainly don't want to run into one on your way to the toilet at night!

Ana Tree Seed Pods

Talking of which...yes, three bull elephants passed by base camp one evening!!!! I was in the shower and was abruptly interrupted by Ben shouting "Priti, get out and into the tree house as the elephants are coming!!!". I had to ask him to repeat as I was sure I'd misheard! I hadn't misheard! I just dressed and ran out to the tree house. The drill is, if the elephants are around, we must get to the tree house (our bedrooms effectively) and sit quietly whilst they pass through. The rest of the team were already up there when Ben and I climbed up. 5 mins later, 3 elephants passed by below on the river bed in single file. They certainly knew we were there - they could probably small us due to wind direction and also, they are hardly stupid! They glanced over at us as they passed us! It was awesome. They were literally about 3o meters away. They were huge and shockingly quiet and graceful as they walked by. Yep, very special indeed. They were heading for the watering hole upstream that EHRA has built for them.

Anyway, enough for now...

In the next update, I'll provide more info on the work we have done so far:

- helping rebuild base camp

- tracking the elephants

- visiting communities and school that EHRA is also involved with

In the meantime, here's a sneak preview....

Needless to say, it's not easy out here: the work is challenging with this desert heat and the mopani bees, the environment is harsh and we all have cuts/bruises/scratches to prove it, keeping clean is impossible for more than 5 mins, and sand gets into just about everything. No place for a girly-girl!

Am I enjoying it? HELL YES!

The journey to get here...

So, it has been a while since my last update and a LOT has happened. For one, I came to the realisation of why Gap Years are normally done pre/post university! Just packing up your life into boxes and a backpack takes on a whole different dimension (effort & stress) when you're all grown up and have responsibilities! OK...cut out the jokes here!

In summary, the project for preparing for this trip was well underestimated! But it's done now. And here I am in Namibia. In Swakopmund to be precise. Sitting in an internet cafe listening to some v dodgy music and writing this update. The whole trip and the adventure ahead has only just now started to feel like my reality....and I'm loving it! I am really looking forward to all that lies ahead.
So, here are the highlights and lowlights of the last 6 weeks:

Lowlights
- packing of my flat - how the hell did I collect soooo much stuff? Where did it all come from??? Considering I'm not a shopper and generally just hate too much stuff around the place, the whole thing was a bit of a shock to the system!!! What a nightmare! Too much stuff. Too little time!

- renting out my flat - dealing with estate agents and all that goes with it. Need I say more?

- dealing with insurance - how many things do you actually need to insure??? OMG - what is all that about? Stuff in storage, contents in flat, car for someone else to drive, travel....! All a big con if you ask me!

- sleep deprivation - yes, a lot of v v v late nights getting 2 months worth of effort completed in 4 weeks! And, as many of you know...I LOVE my sleep!

- food deprivation - yes, once the kitchen was packed, it was a bit like being a student again! Takeouts and rubbish. And, as many of you know....I LOVE my food and cooking! Mind you, I have actually put on weight 'cause my mum and aunt made it their mission to feed me up with their gorgeous home cooking before I left. So, perhaps this should really be a highlight rather than a lowlight!

- updating that blasted TO DO List - that was a whole task in itself! I started with 250 items on it and the more I ticked off, the more I added. Well, I think there are still things I didn't get around to...too late now!!!

- organising the India trip - only a lowlight 'cause it was something I didn't fully complete before I left. Reene has now (thankfully) taken it over to do whilst I'm gallivanting around saving the elephants! Thanks Reene!

- figuring it all out - still haven't managed to figure out how all my gadgets work!!!

- the cost of internet in Namibia....these updates r gonna cost a bomb - especially cause I'm soooo slow at typing!!!!!!!

Highlights

- my mum and my aunt - as I mentioned, none of this would have been possible without their support in just about everything. Put it this way, I would still be packing if it wasn't for them. They are now my new heroines!

- my last day at work - yes it was a lowlight, but "that" leaving speech and all the other extras that went with it were very special!! So, it has been promoted to the highlights section! Yes, I was completely humiliated by a certain someone mentioned in my last blog update! Oh, and I received some v cool presents that will accompany me on this trip!

- my leaving drinks, meeting up with friends and family before leaving. Thanks to all those that made it, all those that emailed to wish me well, and all those that travelled from afar to see me off. I have great memories to take with me on my trip. You're a cool bunch. Unfortunately, I didn't get around to meeting everyone I wanted to - but hope to catch up with you in January. I will think of all the laughs we had v often.

....lots of laughs all around
... the last of the old-timers!

<----yes, the mad Glaswegian....he's gonna kill me for loading this one on here (sorry Stephen, couldn't be helped)!

...

- managing to rent out my flat - yes, managed to find some nice tenants (well, let's hope they are nice and don't trash the place - you never can tell!).

- amazon.com - mostly all my gadgets, travel books etc. got efficiently ordered and delivered through them. Don't know where I'd be otherwise!

- the advise of friends/family - you know who u are - thanks for everything!

- realising that people care... I have been genuinely overwhelmed with people's kindness, warmth, generosity and good wishes as I set off on this adventure. I don't think I'll forget that in a hurry! I'm not sure why setting off on this trip has been more of an emotional journey than the last trip 6 years ago. Is it because I've become more sentimental over the years? Or, because I've become more attached to people than I was before? Or just that I've become great big "wus" (as my brother reminded me other day)? BTW I'm not expecting replies here OK!

- arriving - Yes, I'm here in Namibia. One of my most favorite places in the whole-wide-world! Landed yesterday at 9:40am to 21 degrees C, the African sun on my face, and the horizon in view. I'm guessing only those that have been to Africa will understand what I mean by some of this....and only those that have been to Namibia will understand what it feels like to see the Namibian horizon! Very cool!

I was picked up at the airport and dropped off at a backpacker's hostel for a couple of hours as my bus to Swakopmund was not until 1:30pm. Yes, Backpacker's Hostel! You heard me right! Well, at least it was for VIPs!
It is spring here: the Jacarandas are all in bloom - so everywhere is blue/purple. The place looks even more picturesque than the last time I was here(and the pic is just opposite the hostel so excuse the graffiti!). Got the bus up to Swakop on time and then just slept for most of the way. Had a good 10 hours sleep last night and I feel human again! I feel ready for my adventure. I'm now off to do some more exploring around town. Most things are shut as it's Sunday, so it'll have to be a walk to the beach I think! Have to get back to hostel (which is clean, basic and quite atmospheric) at about 6 for the 1st project meeting and intros. Heading off to the desert base camp tomorrow morning - can't wait! I believe it's a 3 hour ride from here into Damaraland.

Well, until the next update......stay well, be good and do write and give me your news. Would love to hear from you all. Priti xxxx

The Project Planner's Plan....

Uuuuummh, there is a lot to do. 5 weeks and counting....
I have lists within lists and prioritised priorities! I am stumbling over the critical paths and whizzing towards the drop-dead dates! Time is not on my side! The only "reasonable" contingency is to accumulate bags under my eyes in the vain hope that this will buy me time.

Of course, there is always the possibility of descoping! But what can I drop? Spending quality time with friends and family? My leaving drinks scheduled on 18 Sept? The renting out of my flat? The tax returns? The renewals (in advance) of various permits, licences and policies? Appointments with the dentist / doctor / optician / solicitors / blah..blah...blah!

None of the above! Well, bags under the eyes it is then!

Anyway, I'm guessing you didn't log on to this blog to hear about my pre-adventure planning! What you really came here to read is what shape my coming year is going to take. It's looking something like this:

29 Aug 2008 - last day at work! It's been a tough decision to leave and I don't expect this last week is going to be easy. I've grown fond of the place and the people! As much as I am excited about the adventures ahead, it's gonna be tough. All I can hope for is that Neil doesn't get any air-time to humiliate me! Is that really a lot to ask? Needless to say, he has collected enough ammunition over time to shoot me down through quite a few reincarnations (uummh..)!
18 Sept 2008 - leaving drinks - venue tbc. The last big bash before I leave! You'd better all be there...I'm counting on it!
3 Oct - 23 Dec 2008 - Namibia - Desert Elephant Conservation Project. Yes, I know they are a bit far away in this picture, but I'm hoping to get a little closer!
27 Dec 2008 - 16 Jan 2009 - India - The holiday that was booked well before this mad idea of a year out took hold of my brain cells!
16 Jan - 29 Jan 2009 - London - unpacking, washing, last-minute purchases, packing, re-packing, packing again, etc. And, of course, meeting up with family and friends (yes, that means YOU)!
29 Jan (ish) to Nov (ish) 2009 - Central/South America - roughly a 6-month project teaching /working with the indigenous children and communities, interspersed with some travels of my own!

I am going to spend a substantial portion (9 months) of my year as a volunteer on projects that I feel passionate about and through which I hope to make a difference towards greater things. Future blogs will contain more information on these projects.

Of course, I also look forward to experiencing as much as I can of these far off lands....perhaps learning more about the tribes of Namibia, becoming a little more fluent in Spanish and getting fit enough to take on the challenges of the daunting Andean mountain range. I'm also predicting that salsa will shamelessly feature somewhere along the line!

I hope this gives you a flavour of the year ahead - a flavour of apple crumble perhaps? (see later)
Back to the list.....
"Create travel blog site" - tick;
"Let everyone know key dates" - tick;
"Make a cup of tea"..... sorry guys, gotta go....
xxx

PS - I took the photographs on this page (including the one heading up the site) when I was in Namibia a couple of months ago. You can see why I have to spend some more time there, right? And, here is another good reason:





<---- you get the best apple crumble in the world there.