14th April 2013
The countdown begins...
It is officially one month to go until I leave for Nepal.
Compared with 2011's last-minute rush this new trip seems a little too organised. My flights are booked and sorted (I've even chosen my seats), my passport has been stamped and approved for the visa, and the whole internship and accommodation is secure with VCD Nepal.
The only things left to do involve buying travel insurance, and getting injected up - though thankfully not to eyeball-level this time. I have been so super organised this year that I am developing a serious paranoia complex about it. What crucial, trip-threatening thing have I forgotten!?
Until I remember what this vital element is, I have to fill my time with speedy essay-writing and making sure I have sorted everything for when I am out there. And luckily, I have this blog to record my thoughts, feelings, trials, and tribulations in the run up to boarding my UAE-bound flight out of Manchester.
By the end of my time in Nepal, this blog will be an invaluable record of my travels and will hopefully serve to entertain and, possibly, enlighten readers.
Enjoy reading and following my adventures!
The countdown begins...
It is officially one month to go until I leave for Nepal.
Compared with 2011's last-minute rush this new trip seems a little too organised. My flights are booked and sorted (I've even chosen my seats), my passport has been stamped and approved for the visa, and the whole internship and accommodation is secure with VCD Nepal.
The only things left to do involve buying travel insurance, and getting injected up - though thankfully not to eyeball-level this time. I have been so super organised this year that I am developing a serious paranoia complex about it. What crucial, trip-threatening thing have I forgotten!?
Until I remember what this vital element is, I have to fill my time with speedy essay-writing and making sure I have sorted everything for when I am out there. And luckily, I have this blog to record my thoughts, feelings, trials, and tribulations in the run up to boarding my UAE-bound flight out of Manchester.
By the end of my time in Nepal, this blog will be an invaluable record of my travels and will hopefully serve to entertain and, possibly, enlighten readers.
Enjoy reading and following my adventures!
16th April 2013
Injection terror...
Having decided that I have NOT forgotten to do anything important, I am feeling better about the whole trip.
I had a good catch-up chat with Shila Rimal last night, having not seen her since my visit to Nepal in 2011. I am getting very excited to go back!
Tomorrow is the day I have set aside for any injections I may need. I tried desperately to avoid this fate by going into the Health Centre and asking the receptionist if she could find out for me. She tried, but failed miserably - advising me to speak to a nurse. Great.
The image of "Nurse Jo Brand" (seriously, she is like the comedienne's long lost twin) bursting through the door with an armful of shiny syringes is not one that I wish to see again, even though the first time she reassured me that they were not all for me after spotting the look of sheer terror on my face.
Frankly, I hope I don't need to have an armful of metal (or a mouthful of Cholera, from what I have read on the NHS website) as the rest of the day is designated to my usual Essay-in-a-Day routine after leaving everything to the last minute. I can't write essays with useless arms.
On a brighter note, the lovely Nepali poet Yuyutsu R D Sharma has kindly answered my interview questions to help with my journalism project. I can't believe how kind he has been! It will give me a good background before I get to Nepal and crack on with all the in-country research I need to do!
Injection terror...
Having decided that I have NOT forgotten to do anything important, I am feeling better about the whole trip.
I had a good catch-up chat with Shila Rimal last night, having not seen her since my visit to Nepal in 2011. I am getting very excited to go back!
Tomorrow is the day I have set aside for any injections I may need. I tried desperately to avoid this fate by going into the Health Centre and asking the receptionist if she could find out for me. She tried, but failed miserably - advising me to speak to a nurse. Great.
The image of "Nurse Jo Brand" (seriously, she is like the comedienne's long lost twin) bursting through the door with an armful of shiny syringes is not one that I wish to see again, even though the first time she reassured me that they were not all for me after spotting the look of sheer terror on my face.
Frankly, I hope I don't need to have an armful of metal (or a mouthful of Cholera, from what I have read on the NHS website) as the rest of the day is designated to my usual Essay-in-a-Day routine after leaving everything to the last minute. I can't write essays with useless arms.
On a brighter note, the lovely Nepali poet Yuyutsu R D Sharma has kindly answered my interview questions to help with my journalism project. I can't believe how kind he has been! It will give me a good background before I get to Nepal and crack on with all the in-country research I need to do!
22:32 (UK time)
With less than 24 hours to go until I board my UAE-bound flight, the excitement has really set in.
Today has been spent gathering last-minute essentials (and purchasing half of Boots), and tonight involved a rather tasty meal at Frankie and Benny's with mum.
I am now at a bit of a loose end with what to do before tomorrow. Leaving for the airport does not take place until 5pm tomorrow afternoon, and my packing is piled up (just not in the suitcase). And, most importantly, I need things to occupy me until hitting the road.
So, I am attempting to update this blog and make up for the long delay with this new post. Unfortunately time has run away with me lately - what with planning for this trip, preparing my project research, and writing essays! Hopefully the tiny weeny netbook (a.k.a Norbert) that I have acquired to take with me will let me post a blow-by-blow countdown of the events of tomorrow, and then Norbert and my travels around Nepal once I arrive. If you are all exceptionally lucky, there may be a sneaky update from Abu Dhabi airport. But only if you are very, VERY lucky.
I think my efforts overnight will have to go into mentally programming my body to deal with the 30 degree heat that's going to knock me for six on wednesday. I'm hoping that this strategy is a success...
Watch this space.
With less than 24 hours to go until I board my UAE-bound flight, the excitement has really set in.
Today has been spent gathering last-minute essentials (and purchasing half of Boots), and tonight involved a rather tasty meal at Frankie and Benny's with mum.
I am now at a bit of a loose end with what to do before tomorrow. Leaving for the airport does not take place until 5pm tomorrow afternoon, and my packing is piled up (just not in the suitcase). And, most importantly, I need things to occupy me until hitting the road.
So, I am attempting to update this blog and make up for the long delay with this new post. Unfortunately time has run away with me lately - what with planning for this trip, preparing my project research, and writing essays! Hopefully the tiny weeny netbook (a.k.a Norbert) that I have acquired to take with me will let me post a blow-by-blow countdown of the events of tomorrow, and then Norbert and my travels around Nepal once I arrive. If you are all exceptionally lucky, there may be a sneaky update from Abu Dhabi airport. But only if you are very, VERY lucky.
I think my efforts overnight will have to go into mentally programming my body to deal with the 30 degree heat that's going to knock me for six on wednesday. I'm hoping that this strategy is a success...
Watch this space.
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