Another day another forum......
So no update for a while.
I've been busy with the hum drum of normal life. I've sat down tonight to read ANOTHER travel forum (www.gapyear.com) only this one is turning out to be better than the thorn tree (Lonely planet) Useful info re money belts, size of backpack (I'm thinking I'll buy one online later tonight) and how to reassure parents that everything is going to be OK (though feeling this is a long shot!).
The bottom line re packs is , Some people travel light (40 litrePack), and take virtually nothing with them. If my trip consisted of just SE Asia I may go the same route, but as some of south America could be potentially cold when I get there, a larger 65L pack seems more sensible, for fleeces or whatever. I've always said I don't travel light particularly well, though I'm going to have to, to some degree for this trip but if I take a small pack how am I going to bring home a stuffed llama for all my friends. Impossible. So a large pack is it.
Re Malaria, It looks like I'll go for Doxycyline. Firstly it cost 25p a day rather than the £2.50 for malarone I was recommended by a nurse (Killer!!). TheAmerican CDC Website seems to think this will be fine. So do I. The most useful Malaria tip seems to be avoid getting bitten! Needlesss to say I'll be taking that advice.
Did have a bit of a downer today. Nationwide won't give me the freewithdrawal's account I wanted, mainly because I'm good and haven't had credit cards for 5 years. That's kind of left me scratching head!There other options so going down investigating those routes as quickly as possible.
The California trip is 2 weeks away. The first 2 nights Hotels are booked. Very exciting re visiting six flags magic moutain Theme Park. Oh..... and visiting Hollywoodd San Fran, Vegas etc. Hoping to catch a baseball game in Anaheim too. and a slim chance we'll get to see San Fran 49ers (American Football) but tickets are looking a little steep... we'll just wait and see.
The new photos on Flickr are of Sunday afternoon working on routes etc, oh and trying to fire sunflower seeds from my nose over the neighbour's fence. Try it. It's fun.
I'm not really going am I?
Ok. So too much to tell. Firstly. I have a Thai Visa. That means I can at least start the journey even if Australia are stupid enough to refuse me a working visa. Here it is....
Secondly Siobhan's Wedding was brilliant. Siobhan is one of my best friends from work. She's crossed the line from friend to adopted family. We have days where we're true family and properly argue. Then there are days when there is ultimate respect for each other.
If you ever read this Sio, Thanks for being a brilliant friend Sis.
The ceremony was nice and HOT! In the Afternoon I was the Quiz master for a quiz (obviously) and I dressed as a... Chihuahua. It was so funny and brilliant, I even sang a chihuahua song, the key lyrics being:
"I'm a a ch ch ch chihuahua, I'm the smallest dog in town,
I never have to walk as they carry me around,
When I am I puppy I'm no bigger than a Cup,
and I am no bigger even when I am grown up."
Ermm. You had to be there I guess! Photo's to follow on my flickr.
Then spent the evening dancing around... Key songs for the evening? Well, Chesney Hawkes: I am the one and only, House of Pain: jump around, Queen: bohemian rhapsody and Bryan Adams: Summer of 69. just the usual....a room full of people, hands in the air, singing along.... I am just a small boy from a small family......
The gangster next to me in the photos is Jake, Siobhan's best man. Despite his looks he too is a good bloke! The dark photos are my friends Paul and Steve tearing up the dance floor!!
And Finally some news. I'm not going traveling. Well I am, but it doesn't feel like it. I've got to pay for my flights this week. Wednesday in fact. I'm handing my notice in at work on Friday. I've spent money getting the Thai Visa, other bits and pieces, horrible jabs, and yet still it hasn't hit me. Maybe it's just that after a week of being busy I'm really excited right now. Maybe it won't hit me till I'm on the plane to Bangkok. Its weird I can't explain it. I've done more things this week getting ready and yet...that feeling is still not there. I should be worried that I'll have no job when I get back. I'm not. I should be worried that I've spent a lot of money to go and may hate it. I'm not. I've even layed the foundations for my leaving party. When will it hit me? Anyway. We'll see what happens. A bit of a long (boring) post I know.
My Third Bicep.....
So I haven't posted for a while. The Bank Holiday and a busy week working have meant haven't got on here in a while.
Sooo.....
The news is other than buying stuff from list below this week, yesterday I had three jabs that made me feel horrible, administered by a HORRIBLE nurse (her name was beverley go figure) and left me very sleepy and ill. I realised that my bicep has doubled in size (good!) though I could hardly move my arm (bad!) This afternoon I could literally feel heat rising through my face, as I started to feel better. A very strange sensation. Tomorrow I'm at one of my best friends weddings (read civil Partnerships) which is exciting and should be fun. Photos to be posted here shortly. That's all really. And I think my Thai visa has been done as there's something at the post office waiting for my signature. All good. I've been feeling nervous this week re travel. That's normal I guess. I have excited 5 minutes and nervous 5 minutes normally. This week has been generally nervous, I guess mainly as I've been to busy to focus on it and make progress. At least I've still got some stuff sorted. Plus spent a few hours in the pub planning the Cali trip which is getting closer and closer. Mustn't grumble.
