On a more serious note

Zimbabwe.
I know that this is a fundraising blog so was against writing anything about Zim, but the situation in Africa has been a huge influence on why I am doing this charity challenge.

Today, whilst out jogging with my brother, a friend's father collapsed and passed away. Out of four of my close friends I went to junior and high school with, I am the lucky one to still have my precious father alive. One friend's dad was murdered during the farm raids. The other two girl's fathers have died from a heart attack / stress. All three men played big roles in Bulawayo's community, they did a lot of good things for the country!
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On Monday in Glasgow I had a cup of coffee with a street fundraiser, she's a local Glaswegian but very up-to-date on the situation in Africa. We talked about how sometimes it can be difficult to live in a country where self-ego and wealth is valued so highly when you know that people not too far away are living a life that is uncomprehendible to some who have never travelled out of 1st world countries.

I often feel quite helpless when it comes to Zimbabwe, my emotions block any sensible thoughts and I am left feeling angry, disappointed and sad. Thank you to the people who do their bit for Zimbabwe ... Sandra in USA, that's you!
However it's easier for me to think about other countries in similar situations. After the Freedom of the City awarded to Aung San Suu Kyi earlier this year I have continued to follow the situation in Burma. This is taken off Damien Rice's website,

12 October 2005 Burma - Some positive news

We would like to thank everyone who has helped with the campaign to free Aung San Suu Kyi (www.actionburma.com). She is still under house arrest in Burma and the work to have her released continues.

We would just like to let you know that there have been some positive changes since her 60th Birthday campaign in June.
Below we have included some notes from the U.S. 'Campaign for Burma'. Some good news:

Birthday wishes for Nobel Peace Prize recipient Aung San Suu Kyi from REM and U2, along with Damien Rice and Lisa Hannigan's song 'Unplayed Piano' were beamed into military-ruled Burma via satelite, and the radio station 'Democratic Voice of Burma'.That means the people living in the totalitarian country could hear good wishes from around the world.

On the political front, even Burma's neighbours want Aung San Suu Kyi freed. Unprecedented pressure from Asian Governments and Parliamentarians led to the Burmese Junta's reluctant decision to relinquish it's first oppurtunity at charing the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (which is roughly likethe EU for Southeast Asia) in 2006. The move represented the first time that the Asian Governments have stood against the brutal Generals in Burma.

A new 70 page report provides an overwhelmingly compelling case for the UN Security Council to nonviolently intervene in Burma. the report, commissioned by the Nobel Peace Prize recipient Bishop Desmond Tutu and former President Václav Havel, is bringing much-needed international attention to the Human Rights crisis in Burma. The struggle continues!

I have generally kept the 'Zim side of my life' to myself as sometimes when I go into detail about it people often do not know what to say. But everyone learns different lessons in their lives ... what's the point if we don't share them with others. The positive thing I have got from being a Zimbabwean is to Live for the Moment and appreciate the most important things like friendships and time!

A grand morning!

Ever since being a child I have always liked the postman ... it's due to watching too many episodes of Postman Pat. Having a large dog in Zim soon made me aware that posties aren't always friendly, especially when they have a snarling/grinning mutt nipping at their heels! Fair enough!
This morning I like the Postman! He delivered two things for me.

First was my paycheque and much to my surprise and delight I've been given £600 backpay for work I've done in the months before ... hmmm =)

Secondly was a package from Mind! It contains my last bit of information from them before the trek ... it's like a secret mission. Enclosed was a list of the other camel trekkers, 9 women including myself and 2 men. The group is a bit smaller than I thought it would be but I expect we will bond more! Lastly in the parcel were some t-shirts!

And so it is ..

Just like you said it would be!!!!

I'm back after a brilliant weekend in Dublin, Derry and inbetween. You just can't help liking the Irish people ... I think I will live there one day just for the accent! When travelling I like to feel as though I've have actually gone the distance to visit a foreign land rather than just hop on and off minute long flights, so due to flying into Glasgow Prestwick yesterday I managed to go in a car, a tram, a bus, aeroplane, train and taxi. All that was left to do would have been a boat, bicycle and space-ship!

Thinking about time-travel, its 23days until London and 26 days until I fly forward in time to India, I am a little nervous but that's all natural. I'm also extremely excited and keep being hit by waves of smiles! Whilst in Dublin i bought myself a 'worry stone' for the India trip .. just to ensure I can keep that 'no worries' attitude of mine.

Last week Dan, the friend I stayed with in Ireland, texted me saying that he was going to a fundraising quiz organised by his friends. Yesterday morning I discovered on the third page of the Irish metro was a big article about what these 3 people are doing - cycling from Dublin to Cape Town to fundraise 50 000euro and raise awareness of HIV in Africa. Wow, absolutely fantastic, not only will it bring in some money, but the people they will meet in Africa will be so pleased to know someone cares! I have probably pestered you for your yearly charity budget, but if you have a few pennies left over pleasssse visit http://www.oxfamireland.org/html/supportus/cycle_africa.htm

Fundraising is going well, thanks to everyone who is coming along to the Diwali dinner and bringing their friends too! This week I'm going to organise a raffle for that evening, not quite as glamorous as the last lot of prizes but so far it will include a few bottles of wine and a free month membership at the stylish and relaxing Holmes place gym.

I am back into full swing with my mental health job and after having a wee break from it I fully appreciate it again! Being given the chance to work with people and their families to provide them with a lifestyle which they Want is such a moving experience, and I can't believe they pay me for it too!

This year I have put a lot of time into reading up on Eastern religions and also swapped my GP for a Chinese herbalist (and her translator), so now going to India and having the chance to be part of the local culture (and that means travelling on really cheap trains and eating all tradition food - no 5* hotels this time round!) is the opportunity of a lifetime for me!

I hope that through doing this challenge I have inspired each and everyone of you in some small way! If so, then this truly has been a success! Maybe it would be giving away your daily bus tickets after you've done the last trip of the day, or even to do something that you've always wanted to do and haven't got around to it yet, who knows - maybe next year you will be having a salsa fundraising night before heading off to trek Peru! Life is an adventure .. live it. Yeah, so that's that!

... sunday evening thoughts

I'ts a matter of a month and a few hours until my plane leaves for India ... wow, I'm feeling a little anxious, everyone keeps telling me I'm either very adventurous or just mad, I think it's an even mix.

Thanks to everyone who wants to come to the Diwali dinner, it should be a great night! I got a call from an Indian performer asking if he could provide us with some entertainment for the evening, a demo is in the post so we'll wait and see!

The Indian Consulate very kindly gave me a free visa to their country ... the perks of having a South African passport! It's not often I find it that easy to be granted a visa, which explains why I walked out of the building giving the little book a big kiss then holding it up in the air for the world to see!

This coming weekend I am off to Ireland for some good craic! Could be seen as taking a holiday from planning a holiday!

Total money raised is £2 059,97 ... not much further to go!!!

42 days to go

Everything is coming together unbelievably well!

On Thursday I went out for lunch with my Council colleagues and they so generously gave me a Boots voucher which will cover the cost of my plasters and other necessary toiletries for the trip. Exactly what I needed!!! Thank you!

I have started spreading the word about the Diwali dinner and quite a number of people have already reserved their seats! Fantastic!

Tomorrow I get my last set of jabs, that's a total of four visits to the Travel Clinic. I should also have my Indian visa by the end of the day. After living in the UK for two and a half years the country has finally decided I am worthy of a current bank account, it's been the most basic of basic accounts up until now! About time!!

My life is so varied, I consider myself extremely blessed! On Friday night I was at a private dining club and bar discussing news from the broadsheets and extravagant dinners with a stylish/sophisticated friend who works in Parliamentary liason and an interesting man who is a qualified vet / enterpreneur / opera singer. On Saturday I was in contact with friends from 8 different countries of the world. I spent today with 5 lovely people who are unable to walk or talk and a colleague who likes saying 'alright hen?', we spoon-fed dinner to the famous five.

Thanks to Mr Fyvie for recommending a superb book to read, 'The Tao of Pooh' by Benjamin Hoff! It's words of wisdom! http://winnie-the-pooh.ru/online/lib/tao.html

It's been a while

Well the fundraising has taken a backseat and the fun-raising has been the focus. Well I have not thought much about raising money in the past 2 weeks, moreso been settling back into the mental health work, gym'ing, shopping for hiking boots, gym'ing, getting 4 sets of vacinations, gym'ing, buying travel insurance, applying for a visa, ETC.

A great friend has given me a travel partner. This young man in the photo, Bobby, reigns from India- he was brought over as a present for my friend James by his sister from her visit to India, Bobby has been living in Scotland ever since. He accompanied James to all his final uni exams and supplied him with lots of luck. Buddha Bobby shall now be taking a trip/pilgrimage home in the luxury of my backpack.

This evening Marc (and a little bit of me) designed the flier for the Diwali evening!