...and she's gone!

22/08/13

I wrote a blog while I was in Abu Dhabi Airport but it failed to upload and I lost it...so here is a new one! Let's go back to Monday.

Rachael, one of my partners, arrived at my home to stay on Monday night before we left the next evening. Unfortunately for her, she had to witness my emotional goodbyes to my whole family and my best friend. It's quite hard to write about that now, my emotions have settled down and I feel very content & calm. 

After an awful goodbye to my mum, dad and brother, we boarded our 8 hour night bus to London Victoria. Reaching Victoria early Wednesday, we had to wait for our connecting bus to Heathrow Terminal 4. Then we reached our first dilemma. I had ripped my leggings on the coach, so had to go change in the bathroom. Thinking we had plenty of time, I walked back into the station with Rachael in an absolute flap...our bus was boarding! No worries, we made it and reached Heathrow in no time. After swiftly collecting our visas and passports from a Project Trust Rep, the early flighers boarded. At 2.45 we were off to Abu Dhabi!

The furthest I have ever been from home is Austria, so you can imagine my excitement. Our flight to Abu Dhabi was so impressive. We had complimentary blankets, food and drink for the whole flight. I watched some films and fell asleep. We reached Abu Dhabi before 1am, but our flight to Johannesburg wasn't until 9.35am. With more than 9 hours in the airport and no Abu Dhabi Currency, most of us decided to sleep. 

The rest of the South Africa group arrived before our flight on Thursday morning. We all boarded the flight to Johannesburg together, buzzing for the journey ahead! 

There is a post to follow all about my two days in Jo'burg. Here's some pictures of the journey here.

Me and partner Niamh...woo!

Abu Dhabi Airport

Abu Dhabi

Packing and panicking and all things positive

11/08/2013

My apologies for the length and subject of this post. I think I might be in denial about leaving so I find myself focusing my heart, soul, blood and time into details like packing, how to pack and where to pack it. Exciting, I know!

I am very proud to announce that I have packed my rucksack for South Africa. Usually I would leave these things until the last minute. However, after experiencing my panic-pack-attack for training, I thought I should be a little more organised. I have three lists: Find, Pack, Location. For anyone struggling to pack, I have found these lists incredibly useful. If I had them for training, I might have showed up with a towel...and trainers...and pajamas...

First is my Find List, this is where I have jotted down everything I am missing. Whether I simply can't find it or haven't bought it yet, it's on the list. Thankfully in the past few days I have managed to slice the list to a minimum. I only need some Sleeping Aids, Water Purification Tablets, Earplanes and an Ipod Charger. Sleeping Aids I will easily get at my local Asda store. Water Purification Tablets are a little trickier to get your hands on, but Iodine does the job. I need Earplanes for, you guessed it, the plane. I have had very bad experiences flying, it triggers extreme migraines and tooth ache. Earplanes are just little gel-screws that fit into your ear to block out pressure. Although they do the job and save me from pain, it's a little annoying not knowing how loud you are shouting or if someone is trying to get your attention. My Ipod Charger has broke, feel free to donate one.

Next is my Pack List - this would be on the list of all lists as the list of all lists. Absolutely every tiny little thing that is coming to South Africa, whether on my body, in my hand luggage or in my rucksack - is on this list. To keep things clean and simple, every time I packed something, I would score it off the list. This helped me see what I was forgetting.

The final list is the Location List. This sort of merges with my pack list. I wrote the names of different compartments in my bag and jotted down everything in that compartment. It keeps me up to date on where I put this and where I can put that. I'm beginning to think I have OCD.

In a previous post I mentioned everything I was packing. Since then I have changed my mind about things and have also added extras. Here is an up-to-date list on what is in my rucksack for South Africa. I was extremely pleased to see that it only weighs 16kg out of the 20kg we are allowed. Bonus! It still weighs a ton and I would have no chance if someone pushed me over.

Left Side Pocket

First Aid Kit, Fibre Towel, Mosquito Net, Penknife. We are not required to bring a mosquito net, but after seeing the size and speed of beasties in South Africa, I don't mind the space it takes up.

Right Side Pocket

My lady bag, Sewing Kit, Socks x 10. A strange mix I know, but where it  fits, it goes.

Inner Hood Pocket

Socks x 5, Underwear x 15, Flip Flops, Plug Adaptor. Again, where it fits, it goes.

Outer Hood Pocket

Sun Hat, Sandals.

Bum of Bag

Shoes, Extra Gauze Dressings. This is an unofficial pocket, just a zipped compartment where the waterproof liner for my bag stays. I'm glad I was able to make some use out of it. I didn't really need the extra Gauze dressings but they give the bottom of my bag some padding.

Main Compartment

Trousers x 3

Jeans x 1

Skirts x 2
Tops x 5

Dress x 5

Cardigan x 3

Shorts x 2

Waterproof Jacket x 1

Converse Trainers

Towel

Bra x 5

Toiletries Bag: Toothbrush x 3, Toothpaste x 2, Face Cloth, Soap x 2, Shampoo Bar, Conditioner Bar, Mouthwash, Deodorant x 3

Under Water Camera Case

Some Pegs, string and bobbles

Netbook and all charge cables

I'm sure you are now as amazed as I am that everything above fit into one 85L rucksack in under 17KGS. I originally thought I would need to cut down on toiletries and clothes. Now all that's left is what I wear on the day of travelling and what's in my hand luggage. I'm going to be on an 8 hour coach to London, followed by an 8 hour flight to Abu Dhabi, followed by an 8 hour flight to Johannesburg (roughly). I definitely think comfort should be put first! I will probably just wear leggings and a baggy t-shirt. My Project Trust hoody is also a must! I will wear my hiking boots, they are comfortable and too bulky to pack. 

Hand Luggage:

Smaller Toiletries Bag

Spare change of clothes

Pencil Case

Document folder including flight documents

Sketch pad and notebook 

Phone

Camera

Hairbrush

Scotland Flag

South Africa Flag

Address Book

Book

Photo's for new room

I hope you enjoyed this very enjoyable post. I promise my blog posts will be much more exciting when I have much more exciting things to write about. As nervous as I am about leaving, I can't contain how excited I am. I feel so positive. For now, writing about the final countdown to South Africa keeps me motivated. I will add photo's when I get the chance

9 DAYS  left in Scotland...

10 DAYS left on the Continent...

11 DAYS until touch down South Africa...

Farewells and Festivals

04/08/13
It has been a very busy, very fun past two days.

Leaving Party

So last night (August 3rd) was my leaving party. My last chance to see friends.  My last chance to see family. My final farewell. For a year anyway. I still have 17 days left at home so i'm sure I will see some before I leave. It was really great to have all of my friends and family in the one room, having fun. Thank you Mum, Dad and Yvonne for making it happen! I left with an unexpected gift of R600 and £180. Thank you so much to everyone who gave money, you are crazy. Rands are so beautiful, they make me even more excited about leaving. 

I must say it was funny to see my mum dancing away all night. One of the highlights of the night was the DJ playing The Lion Sleeps Tonight. AHH WOO! BUT, the best part has to be the end, when in true Scottish style, everyone held hands and sang Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond. I was cringing and complaining at first when they demanded I stand in the middle like a circus act but it wore off and I enjoyed it. I'm quite sure my family deliberately tried to make me cry. BUT I DIDN'T. Now enjoy some pictures of the night and if you keep scrolling, you will find the second half to this post.

mum dancing away

Me, my brother and sister

Bonnie Banks

me and my brother, who will miss me DEARLY!

Me and Jasmine, who I'm going to miss so much!

Me, my brother and friends

Me and my friend Daniel

Dad, me and my brother Harry

Pretending we aren't sad!

Pre Departure Get Together

After training, the Scottish Volunteers decided it would be a good idea to meet up before our flight. So we did! unfortunately not everyone could make it, just me, Roanna (for Mitchell House, South Africa), Iona (for Underberg, South Africa), Fraser and Lewis (Partners for Hamlet, Johannesburg, South Africa). It was really fun, especially since the Edinburgh Fringe Festival is currently on. We listened to some live music and then headed for lunch and a Starbucks. After food we decided to check out one of the acts and sat in a little pub venue, watching a comedy act called Coming Out...or Getting Out, I can't remember! Either way it was about the comedians "coming out of the closet".

Meeting up with the other volunteers has made me even more excited about leaving. I can't wait to see them in Abu Dhabi! I don't think I have yet explained the flight issues so I'll do that now.

Due to the South Africa volunteers being such a large group (36) Project Trust had to split us between two flights. I fly out at 2.45pm on August 21st with Laura, Anna, Keira, Diarmid, Eppie and one of my partners Niamh. Everyone else will fly out at 9pm, August 21st. We then join forces in Abu Dhabi and fly to Johannesburg together. I'm happy with the flight arrangements and I'm glad we all spend the final leg of the journey together.

Everything is ticking along beautifully. I have everything I need for South Africa. My only concern is spending money, but I'm sure I will get by. I don't plan to excessively spend in South Africa - not that I can with less than £1000. I hope to spend money on only the bare necessities, and save the rest for travel opportunities.

I didn't take many pictures today, so here is a snap of Roanna and Iona, haha!