It's actually going to be my first time. I have never seen water go down the plughole the opposite way (it's on my to-do list to drain some water a few times before leaving, so that I actually notice the difference). This coupled with the fact that most of my vaccinations are at least 7 years out of date feels a bit shameful. My younger, ethnic jewellery adorned, hedonistic self would be bitterly disappointed. Still, I'll tell her it worked out for the best.
If you're reading this then you probably already know that I'm going to Peru for 6 weeks to volunteer for a charity called SKIP (Supporting Kids in Peru http://www.skipperu.org/) as a Communications Officer. SKIP is based in Trujillo in the north of Peru, near the coast - about an 8 hour drive north of Lima.
Why? Just because, really. Rewind 6 months or so, I was suffering from a severe case of itchy feet and, what with not having so much as a rental agreement holding me back, I did something about it. There's a great website - http://www.volunteerlatinamerica.com/ - that put me in touch with the opportunity with SKIP (among other organisations). I emailed them my CV and then, whilst on holiday in France last August, in the one room in the villa that could manage a smattering of wifi signal, I got an email from the Director asking when I could get there. That was pretty much it.
Now, with 3 days to go until the however many hours/days journey to Trujillo via Amsterdam and Lima, and not really having any idea what to expect, I've set a few objectives that shouldn't get in the way of just going with it and not allowing any room for any possibly interpretation of failure. It is only 6 weeks.
1. Put together at least the second best annual report that SKIP has ever had.
2. Learn to surf. It's on the doorstep (the sea, the surfing, the means to surf, that is), there is no excuse.
3. Much as I love the crumbly, shabby, painted room in this background photo, I'll get some of my own up here.
4. Find some actual Peruvian marmalade. Paddington Bear came from Peru (his Peruvian name is Pastuso but the Brown family re-named him Paddington after Paddington Station where they found him) and Marmalade is his favourite. Apparently he was eating it on the boat over to England so he MUST have got it in Peru.
I think that's enough. Sometimes plans get in the way of possibilities.
Over there, it is SUMMER now. Proper summer. So, warm-weather gear dusted off; various over-priced bottles of suncream, mozzie repellent, after sun, after bite (only to find them at a fraction of the price at the first supermarket on the first corner on the first day) bought and packed; an unreasonable collection of electronic things, cables and chargers (these things were not here last time i did this); and my trusty, ancient, leech-magnet walking boots that looked like they belonged in a museum and/or on a well-travelled grandad even when they were new,
it's nearly time.
All being well, I will continue this on the other side...
...of the equator...
If you're reading this then you probably already know that I'm going to Peru for 6 weeks to volunteer for a charity called SKIP (Supporting Kids in Peru http://www.skipperu.org/) as a Communications Officer. SKIP is based in Trujillo in the north of Peru, near the coast - about an 8 hour drive north of Lima.
Why? Just because, really. Rewind 6 months or so, I was suffering from a severe case of itchy feet and, what with not having so much as a rental agreement holding me back, I did something about it. There's a great website - http://www.volunteerlatinamerica.com/ - that put me in touch with the opportunity with SKIP (among other organisations). I emailed them my CV and then, whilst on holiday in France last August, in the one room in the villa that could manage a smattering of wifi signal, I got an email from the Director asking when I could get there. That was pretty much it.
Now, with 3 days to go until the however many hours/days journey to Trujillo via Amsterdam and Lima, and not really having any idea what to expect, I've set a few objectives that shouldn't get in the way of just going with it and not allowing any room for any possibly interpretation of failure. It is only 6 weeks.
1. Put together at least the second best annual report that SKIP has ever had.
2. Learn to surf. It's on the doorstep (the sea, the surfing, the means to surf, that is), there is no excuse.
3. Much as I love the crumbly, shabby, painted room in this background photo, I'll get some of my own up here.
4. Find some actual Peruvian marmalade. Paddington Bear came from Peru (his Peruvian name is Pastuso but the Brown family re-named him Paddington after Paddington Station where they found him) and Marmalade is his favourite. Apparently he was eating it on the boat over to England so he MUST have got it in Peru.
I think that's enough. Sometimes plans get in the way of possibilities.
Over there, it is SUMMER now. Proper summer. So, warm-weather gear dusted off; various over-priced bottles of suncream, mozzie repellent, after sun, after bite (only to find them at a fraction of the price at the first supermarket on the first corner on the first day) bought and packed; an unreasonable collection of electronic things, cables and chargers (these things were not here last time i did this); and my trusty, ancient, leech-magnet walking boots that looked like they belonged in a museum and/or on a well-travelled grandad even when they were new,
it's nearly time.
All being well, I will continue this on the other side...
...of the equator...
No comments:
Post a Comment