So here we go - my first tentative steps into blogging. First job to tidy up desk, throw out anything not essential, try and get a handle on internet banking, put a selection of clothes out for selection, pile up possible books, and pop down an odd Larium for happy dreaming.
I am trying to recollect some 36 years ago how I felt as I set forth for VSO in Uganda. I knew little about the country or continent. The postage stamps were very colourful, and the post colonial optimism was still in the air tempered somewhat by the Cold War competition for the hearts, minds and resources of this beautiful continent. China was building the new railway in Nyerere's Tanzania, the racist apartheid was imbedded in South Africa, Ian Smith's Rhodesia was confident of maintaining 'white' control for many years, and a really nice army chap called Idi Amin had just taken control (with British help) of my destination. All looked and felt good for that rugby playing socially inclined textile graduate............
How different now, or is it? All might be revealed..........................
Monday, 21 January 2008
Friday, 18 January 2008
Getting ready - 19 days to go!!!
The piles of clothes are growing, and I keep writing lists - there seems to be so much to do, and get!
Donald has been ensuring that all bills etc which are due whilst we are away will be dealt with (the joys of internet banking!!) and things like my car MOT etc which is due whilst we are away, so that has to be sorted as well as lots of other stuff.
It's quite strange packing for so long - and to cover various occasions and life styles. Being the mother of the bride means a couple of smart outfits I think! So, I have arranged for us to have pre booked excess baggage to try to lessen the hassle which I am sure we will have at the airport. Don't forget that we are taking the wedding dress with us too - as hand luggage - as I would never forgive myself if it got lost. The timing of BA increasing their hand luggage allowance could not have been better!
Donald has been ensuring that all bills etc which are due whilst we are away will be dealt with (the joys of internet banking!!) and things like my car MOT etc which is due whilst we are away, so that has to be sorted as well as lots of other stuff.
It's quite strange packing for so long - and to cover various occasions and life styles. Being the mother of the bride means a couple of smart outfits I think! So, I have arranged for us to have pre booked excess baggage to try to lessen the hassle which I am sure we will have at the airport. Don't forget that we are taking the wedding dress with us too - as hand luggage - as I would never forgive myself if it got lost. The timing of BA increasing their hand luggage allowance could not have been better!
Looking forward to hearing from Saidia v soon with more details of the work I will be doing out there. Donald's seems to be sorted. He will be working with Mwanza Samaritans who have a group of widows who they try to support on a regular basis - but this has been difficult as the organisation is not donor funded. He will be working with them to create an income generation programme, and this could also be used as a business model for other small scale ventures.
Our itinerary - (20 days to go !!!)
We fly out from Heathrow on the 7th February at 18.45 - arriving in Dar es Salaam at 07.15 on the 8th Feb. We have to hang around the airport for a few hours before we catch the flight up to Kilimanjaro.
We will be met there by Jenny and Joey and we will then go to Moshi to spend a couple of days with Joey's family at their lodge, Honey Badger Lodge (honeybadger@africamail.com) We believe that we will be "officially received" by the Renju family and some members of the clan on the 9th.
Think we then plan to fly out to Mwanza on the 11th. From then on, till end of April, we will be working in Mwanza, staying at a place that has been hired for us and we will let you all know about it when we get there.
The wedding is on the 24th April, and I understand that the plan is that we are back in Moshi early in that week to get ready and to start the celebrations.
After the wedding, on the Monday, Donald and I then fly out to Zanzibar when we will spend four nights in Stone Town and then we go to spend 6 days at the Samani Kempinkski Hotel, which is on the beach.
We leave Dar on the 9th May to return home
We will be met there by Jenny and Joey and we will then go to Moshi to spend a couple of days with Joey's family at their lodge, Honey Badger Lodge (honeybadger@africamail.com) We believe that we will be "officially received" by the Renju family and some members of the clan on the 9th.
Think we then plan to fly out to Mwanza on the 11th. From then on, till end of April, we will be working in Mwanza, staying at a place that has been hired for us and we will let you all know about it when we get there.
The wedding is on the 24th April, and I understand that the plan is that we are back in Moshi early in that week to get ready and to start the celebrations.
After the wedding, on the Monday, Donald and I then fly out to Zanzibar when we will spend four nights in Stone Town and then we go to spend 6 days at the Samani Kempinkski Hotel, which is on the beach.
We leave Dar on the 9th May to return home
Friday, 11 January 2008
And so it begins
Well it all seemed a good idea .... (said that before we moved to Andwell too...)
When we heard about Saidia (http://www.saidiavolunteer.org/) it seemed just what we wanted to do. There appeared to be a three month window when we could both give our time, and we thought - why not?
We then spoke to Saidia and filled out our application forms - this all seemed a long time ago, and now - suddenly (or so it seems) we are getting ready to pack, taking anti malaria and well panicking really!
When we heard about Saidia (http://www.saidiavolunteer.org/) it seemed just what we wanted to do. There appeared to be a three month window when we could both give our time, and we thought - why not?
We then spoke to Saidia and filled out our application forms - this all seemed a long time ago, and now - suddenly (or so it seems) we are getting ready to pack, taking anti malaria and well panicking really!
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