Hello peeps!
I am now officially a backpacker - or more like a suitpacker! Last Friday was my last day in the office and since Tuesday, I am in the Caribbean living out of a suitcase :)
My last few days in the UK have been rather hectic with sorting out storage for my car and belongings, but I managed most of it and the rest I left to the good hands of a couple of friends.
I began my journey around the globe at 6.50am on Tuesday 4th Dec, and I will not be putting my bags down for another 15months. I will be back in the UK for a few weeks to exchange my suitcase for a proper backpack then I am off again, only to come back in Heathrow in March 2014.
My first flight London-Paris was rather uneventful. After the 4am wake up call, I was glad to nod off for a bit. In Paris I had to get a connecting flight to Martinique, then off on the beach.
This is where things started to go a little bit off track...
When I got to the check in desk, the lovely Air France lady - a touch surprising to see somebody from AIR FRANCE in such a good mood so early in the morning - so, the lovely lady asked me if I would be up for being bumped onto another flight, in exchange for €150 cash. Instead of my initial direct flight, I would need to get to another island, then catch another connecting flight before finally arriving in Martinique, a mere 45min later than initially planned.
At €50 the 15min, I said yes please, gimme the cash! But there is no such thing as free cash, oh no...
To start, we left with 1hr delay for the Paris to Pointe a Pitre flight. That meant I missed my connecting flight to Martinique as I only had 45min between the too. Fair play to Air France though, they got me a seat onto another flight later that day, without me having to yell at anybody. It was actually rather funny to see all the other passengers in the same situation getting all worked up and stressed out, while I couldn't have been less bothered - I am off traveling, so who cares 1.5hrs delay?
I finally got to my final destination only to realise that my bag didn't quite follow the same itinerary! You know that feeling when you are the last one standing by the luggage belt, looking at the same abandoned bag turning round and round and round, hoping that yours will be there in just a second...
Still, it was with the same good humored mind set I had all day that I went to the customer service lady to explain my case and confirm that my suitcase would be arriving on the last flight of the day. The other guy in the same situation was completely losing it! By the way, no one I knew, but he had the same name, traveling on the same flight - how random??
All in all, the journey from wake up call to bed time was a long 22hrs, as opposed to the usual 13hrs. BUT - I learned a few things:
1. It is all about perspective: I didn't let the little things get to me and kept smiling and having a good time - despite the long delays, the bag going missing, the aisle seats, being tired - while others where losing it around me. Why? Because I choose to keep my cool. Simple.
2. The way you approach people will determine how they react to you. Go in there all guns blazing and you are less likely to find an understanding ear, as one my fellow delayees found out. Smiles, positivity and a cool head will get you a lot farther and open a lot more doors than yelling at someone!
3. Just C.H.I.L.L.A.X man and enjoy the ride, you will get there eventually!
4. There is no such thing as free cash - but if you follow pt.3, you can come pretty close to it :)
That's it for now peeps - I am off to eat some pineapple :)
Friday, 7 December 2012
Wednesday, 21 November 2012
Counting down the days and looking back on the past
Hello peeps!
I am now less than 2wks away from departure day. It still doesn't feel real, but it is definitely happening!
By the time I leave, I would have been in the UK for exactly 8yrs 2wks 4days.
Looking back on that time, I feel I am a different person than the young and clueless graduate that got off the Eurostar at Waterloo that day long ago, and not just because I am (only) 2yrs older....
I have met amazing people during that time, from all corners of the world and paths of life. The UK is the only place I have found where all kind of people have a chance to shine, without being judged for how they look/talk/love.
I have worked for companies big and small, always earning respect from my peers. I even managed to get a job I had absolutely no qualifications for, but I still did very well. Talk about self confidence... :)
I have taken part in sports I would have never thought about before coming here - rugby, rowing, doing the GRIM, twice!
I met somebody I thought I could spend the rest of my days with.
I got a proper grown up car.
And last but not least - I have met myself and accepted who I am.
I don't know what the next 15 months will bring, but whatever comes my way I think the Angela that will come back will be different compared to the Angela of right now.
I guess this is what life is about - change.
I only usually reflect on how much things have evolved when I am on the brink of some drastic change, but it is an on-going process. Every day is a learning, every encounter bring a new perspective but it is very easy to lose sight of this when stuck in the daily grind.
I went to this NLP training earlier this year and the guy said something I think is very true: until you put yourself in the driving seat, you will always be disappointed with life because nobody else can take charge of your happiness.
I wish I could find a way to bottle this feeling so I could keep it with me when I come back and have a little taste once in a while. Just so I can remember to stop, look around and see rather than simply pass through the days, waiting for something good, anything, to happen.
This will be my challenge for the next 15 months!
Smile people :)
By the way - chicken pox are all gone now, yay!
I am now less than 2wks away from departure day. It still doesn't feel real, but it is definitely happening!
By the time I leave, I would have been in the UK for exactly 8yrs 2wks 4days.
Looking back on that time, I feel I am a different person than the young and clueless graduate that got off the Eurostar at Waterloo that day long ago, and not just because I am (only) 2yrs older....
I have met amazing people during that time, from all corners of the world and paths of life. The UK is the only place I have found where all kind of people have a chance to shine, without being judged for how they look/talk/love.
I have worked for companies big and small, always earning respect from my peers. I even managed to get a job I had absolutely no qualifications for, but I still did very well. Talk about self confidence... :)
I have taken part in sports I would have never thought about before coming here - rugby, rowing, doing the GRIM, twice!
I met somebody I thought I could spend the rest of my days with.
I got a proper grown up car.
And last but not least - I have met myself and accepted who I am.
I don't know what the next 15 months will bring, but whatever comes my way I think the Angela that will come back will be different compared to the Angela of right now.
I guess this is what life is about - change.
I only usually reflect on how much things have evolved when I am on the brink of some drastic change, but it is an on-going process. Every day is a learning, every encounter bring a new perspective but it is very easy to lose sight of this when stuck in the daily grind.
I went to this NLP training earlier this year and the guy said something I think is very true: until you put yourself in the driving seat, you will always be disappointed with life because nobody else can take charge of your happiness.
I wish I could find a way to bottle this feeling so I could keep it with me when I come back and have a little taste once in a while. Just so I can remember to stop, look around and see rather than simply pass through the days, waiting for something good, anything, to happen.
This will be my challenge for the next 15 months!
Smile people :)
By the way - chicken pox are all gone now, yay!
Tuesday, 13 November 2012
What the guide books - or the nurse - don't tell you
Hello peeps!
I have come across a phenomenon from which neither the guide books - paper or online - the forum or even the travel nurse at the GP have warned me against.
This phenomenon is called - the immunization cocktail you are about to pump into your system will make you catch chicken pox!
Now, could be chicken pox or any nasty germs around for that matter - but in my case it was chicken pox.
Allow me to demonstrate...
In between the recommendations in the Lonely Planet SEA guide book and the stuff on the NHS website, I came to the conclusion that I need to be immunized against the following diseases for my upcoming trip:
- Hepatitis A & B: 3 jabs
- Rabies: 3 jabs
- Tetanus/Polio/Diphtheria: 1 boost
- Japanese Encephalitis: 2 jabs
- Typhoid: vaccine not currently available on the NHS, so will do this in Martinique.
I had already done the Yellow Fever jab a few years back, so no need to do it again. Still, I would get 9 jabs over 4wks, plus however many the Typhoid will be.
The only side effects mentioned where for the Japanese Encephalitis, where the nurse mentioned I could have flue-like symptoms, but nothing major.
Well not really! After 3wks of stuff being shot into my arms, I am now down with chicken pox!!
Nothing directly related to the jabs, but a definite side effect. You see, this heavy duty of immunization has completely messed up my immune system. So if it hadn't been chicken pox, it would have been something else!
That sucks - and it is itchy :(
On the plus side - if there is such thing really - I get the week off work. However I would have preferred not to and get to sleep at night and not look like a freak!
Rant over - sorry guys, my usual chirpy self will be back as soon as the itchy spotty one has gone.
I have come across a phenomenon from which neither the guide books - paper or online - the forum or even the travel nurse at the GP have warned me against.
This phenomenon is called - the immunization cocktail you are about to pump into your system will make you catch chicken pox!
Now, could be chicken pox or any nasty germs around for that matter - but in my case it was chicken pox.
Allow me to demonstrate...
In between the recommendations in the Lonely Planet SEA guide book and the stuff on the NHS website, I came to the conclusion that I need to be immunized against the following diseases for my upcoming trip:
- Hepatitis A & B: 3 jabs
- Rabies: 3 jabs
- Tetanus/Polio/Diphtheria: 1 boost
- Japanese Encephalitis: 2 jabs
- Typhoid: vaccine not currently available on the NHS, so will do this in Martinique.
I had already done the Yellow Fever jab a few years back, so no need to do it again. Still, I would get 9 jabs over 4wks, plus however many the Typhoid will be.
The only side effects mentioned where for the Japanese Encephalitis, where the nurse mentioned I could have flue-like symptoms, but nothing major.
Well not really! After 3wks of stuff being shot into my arms, I am now down with chicken pox!!
Nothing directly related to the jabs, but a definite side effect. You see, this heavy duty of immunization has completely messed up my immune system. So if it hadn't been chicken pox, it would have been something else!
That sucks - and it is itchy :(
On the plus side - if there is such thing really - I get the week off work. However I would have preferred not to and get to sleep at night and not look like a freak!
Rant over - sorry guys, my usual chirpy self will be back as soon as the itchy spotty one has gone.
Saturday, 10 November 2012
Warning - Deep thinking about life and other things...
Hello
peeps!
I finally got my
backpack last w.e and my ticket for the Caribbean this week. I have also
confirmed my visits here and there with friends and family. And I am
looking up casual work opportunities to earn some pennies whilst lounging
it on the beach :)
So this is it, I am
all set to go! One small detail - I still have got 3wks to go in the
office. Which brings me to a bit of reflection today - sorry in
advance for the page long post!
My company requires
us leavers to give at least 3 months notice, so I
handed out my resignation back in August. For the whole month of September,
I was still giving it 300%, staying in late, even working on Sundays. Then
October came, together with an increasingly difficult ability to focus on the
petty fights, back stabbing, finger pointing and similar cr@p happening around
me. Now November is here and I am in my last 3wks of working
routine.
Three months is a long time. I handed out my notice in
August, but my decision to go was taken a good couple of months before, and
I have been toying with the idea for at least 2-3yrs. So all in all, I
have been gone, at least in my head, for something like half a year
already.
There are good points and bad points to this
situation.
The good:
- It's been 6 months I have stopped being stressed at
work.
- So it's been 6 months I am more efficient in my work
- believe it or not!
- I sleep better and wake up with a smile on my
face.
- It's been 6 months I stepped out of the office
politics game - again, much better for my own sanity.
- I can now see things with a new perspective and can
pin point where processes are letting the business down - therefore
where improvements can be made.
- I can bring a breeze of fresh air to my
teammates and pick them up with my positive
energy.
Now the bad:
- It's been 6wks I find it difficult to focus on the
little details. Most of the time there is no detrimental effect on my work, but
sometimes, things can end up a bit behind. That said, things still got to
slip when I was like a hawk on every single useless details of a project because
of the clutter it was causing in my little head.
- I am becoming increasingly selfish in my approach to
things, and not always offering to help. I know - baaaad - but as a
result I don't get drawn into activities which are not within my area of
responsibility and would therefore only end up diluting my time even more.
Something to do with too few people, too much to
do...
- I am now trying to get other people in the office to
do something for themselves - very baaad from the company point of
view!
And the ugly: people could be dropping dead around me
on my last day in a bid to make me stay longer, but I would just step over them
on my way to the door and say bye!
In a nutshell - I am a much more efficient,
approachable and motivating team member. How sad is it that I have become an A-star
worker because I know that I am leaving
soon.
Maybe the secret is to give your notice - at least
in your head - as soon as you start a new job. The good in my list far outweigh
the bad, which is only bad if you don't care about the well being of people
in the workplace.
My learning though is there is no secret.
Life is too short to
waste any of it - not even a few months. You should ONLY do the things
DECIDE to do.
If you are unhappy in a job, then you should
move on and find a new one you will happy in. Why stay somewhere for the
sake of being able to moan about the job or the company? You wont get any
of the good from my - very short - list, whereas the bad will only add
up.
However if you DECIDE to be somewhere, then make
sure:
1. It is a job/company that you really choose to be in.
We have all heard the old story - recession, I need money and I will
die in the gutter if I don't take this job. But aside from a handful of life or
death situation, nobody EVER had to take a job. Stop the bullcr@p and
man up for goodness sake!
2. You wake up everyday with a smile on your face
because you will be going to do something you enjoy and strive
for.
3. And because work is only part of the day - make some
time for yourself every day and do something that makes you feel good. Again, we
all know the old story - need 25hrs in the day to fit it all, what about the
kids and house cleaning, I am shattered when I leave the office, it is dark
outside, I am broke - but, seriously? Do you really believe
that?
Now go and enjoy, because you never know what is coming
your way.
Saturday, 20 October 2012
The Fabulous World of Visas - India
Hello peeps!
Second installment of the serie.
Remember how border crossing in the Maldives was easy peasy?Well, let me introduce to visa procedure, Indian style!
All the official info is available here: http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk/
If you have a passport from Finland, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand or Singapore then lucky you little bugger - no need for advance procedure, you can get a 30 days visa with single entry on arrival in Delhi and Mumbai ONLY.
The rest of us will need to get a tourist visa before entering the country. Usually a 3 to 6 months visa with single, double or multiple entries, no extension possible.
You will need for the application:
If you are like me a non UK passport holder you will also need the following:
- If you have been in the UK more than 2yrs, you will need to provide:
Either post everything including your passport to the Hayes mission or book an appointment and drop the paperwork at your local application centre. The appointment time is issued when you do the online application but can be modified after.
It takes about 1wk to process the application. You can choose the delivery option for your passport when you do the online application.
Happy days :)
Second installment of the serie.
Remember how border crossing in the Maldives was easy peasy?Well, let me introduce to visa procedure, Indian style!
All the official info is available here: http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk/
If you have a passport from Finland, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand or Singapore then lucky you little bugger - no need for advance procedure, you can get a 30 days visa with single entry on arrival in Delhi and Mumbai ONLY.
The rest of us will need to get a tourist visa before entering the country. Usually a 3 to 6 months visa with single, double or multiple entries, no extension possible.
You will need for the application:
- Passport valid for a minimum of 180 days with at least two blank pages.
- 2 recent 50*50 size photographs. Check they are the correct size!
- The online application form with signed declaration.
- For the double entry visa you will also need to submit a tentative travel itinerary
If you are like me a non UK passport holder you will also need the following:
- If you have been in the UK more than 2yrs, you will need to provide:
- A stamp of indefinite stay OR
- A utility bill for the current month and for at least 2yrs back. Only landline phone, gas, electricity, water, council tax and tenancy agreement are accepted - no bank statements and no mix and match of the utility bills.
Either post everything including your passport to the Hayes mission or book an appointment and drop the paperwork at your local application centre. The appointment time is issued when you do the online application but can be modified after.
It takes about 1wk to process the application. You can choose the delivery option for your passport when you do the online application.
Happy days :)
Saturday, 13 October 2012
The Fabulous World of Visas - Maldives
Hello peeps!
I thought I might do a serie of "informative" post rather than just my usual ranting and outpouring of thought. I will do this from time to time on different topics, so if you ever think about visiting the same countries, at least I can give you a head start on what to expect and how to avoid the pitfalls.
Sooooo... Welcome to...
THE FABULOUS WORLD OF VISAS - or how to get lost in bureaucracy!
Aside of all the excitement of planning a round the world trip, one of the tings i found decidedly not glamorous is the think about the visas I will need along the way.
First thing first - I will be going for a year, so not point getting all the visas I could possibly need before I go because chances are most of them will expire way before I get anywhere near said countries!
I will however get some before I go and the rest I will just pick up along the way. Wish me luck :)
Today's topic is the Maldives.
All official info available here: http://www.immigration.gov.mv/index.php/entry-to-maldives.html
There no procedure to go through before entering the country. A 30 days free visa issued on arrival.
You will just need to show:
A word of caution: the Immigration officer is well within his/her right to issue anything up to 30 days. Sad but true - so smile, be polite and look smart. Could prove a bit of a challenge after a 13hrs journey, but just think about that cocktail you will sip when you arrive at the hotel - it is worth the hassle!
Happy days :)
I thought I might do a serie of "informative" post rather than just my usual ranting and outpouring of thought. I will do this from time to time on different topics, so if you ever think about visiting the same countries, at least I can give you a head start on what to expect and how to avoid the pitfalls.
Sooooo... Welcome to...
THE FABULOUS WORLD OF VISAS - or how to get lost in bureaucracy!
Aside of all the excitement of planning a round the world trip, one of the tings i found decidedly not glamorous is the think about the visas I will need along the way.
First thing first - I will be going for a year, so not point getting all the visas I could possibly need before I go because chances are most of them will expire way before I get anywhere near said countries!
I will however get some before I go and the rest I will just pick up along the way. Wish me luck :)
Today's topic is the Maldives.
All official info available here: http://www.immigration.gov.mv/index.php/entry-to-maldives.html
There no procedure to go through before entering the country. A 30 days free visa issued on arrival.
You will just need to show:
- A valid passport
- A valid ticket onward ticket
- Enough funds to cover the expenses for the duration of your stay - US$100 + $50 dollars per day - OR a confirmation of reservation in a Tourist Resort or a Hotel.
A word of caution: the Immigration officer is well within his/her right to issue anything up to 30 days. Sad but true - so smile, be polite and look smart. Could prove a bit of a challenge after a 13hrs journey, but just think about that cocktail you will sip when you arrive at the hotel - it is worth the hassle!
Happy days :)
Living out of a suitcase
Hello peeps!
This week my journey has well and truly started.
I moved out of my flat on Tuesday and moved into a friend's spare room. It was a bit of a shock when I got there.
All my life packed in 3 suitcases, 3 bags and 4 boxes, fighting for space among my friend's stuff, a single bed on one side and the pump in the fish tank promising to turn me insane in the middle of the night if I don't switch it off. That, and the uncertainty of what the next year and a half will bring.
Was tough. Real tough. I actually cried. Life as I knew it was over and a new life I know nothing about was begining.
After the first couple of nights, things are feeling a lot more settled.
Wake up around 7am, courtesy of the 3 kids upstairs running around.
New shower routine - don't forget the bathrobe... would be best to avoid any unfortunate incident...
Wi-fi detox - that one is still bringing tears to my eyes! I def need to get them a router :(
New parking spot in the street.
But also - starting to feel this trip shaping up and becoming real.
I will be leaving the UK in 7wks. There no time to sit around and hope for the best.
It will be the best because I will make it the best.Simple as that.
It's just that I might spend the w.e in my bathrobe not doing much... one needs to enjoy the quiet house before the kids come back on Monday morning!!!
:)
This week my journey has well and truly started.
I moved out of my flat on Tuesday and moved into a friend's spare room. It was a bit of a shock when I got there.
All my life packed in 3 suitcases, 3 bags and 4 boxes, fighting for space among my friend's stuff, a single bed on one side and the pump in the fish tank promising to turn me insane in the middle of the night if I don't switch it off. That, and the uncertainty of what the next year and a half will bring.
Was tough. Real tough. I actually cried. Life as I knew it was over and a new life I know nothing about was begining.
After the first couple of nights, things are feeling a lot more settled.
Wake up around 7am, courtesy of the 3 kids upstairs running around.
New shower routine - don't forget the bathrobe... would be best to avoid any unfortunate incident...
Wi-fi detox - that one is still bringing tears to my eyes! I def need to get them a router :(
New parking spot in the street.
But also - starting to feel this trip shaping up and becoming real.
I will be leaving the UK in 7wks. There no time to sit around and hope for the best.
It will be the best because I will make it the best.Simple as that.
It's just that I might spend the w.e in my bathrobe not doing much... one needs to enjoy the quiet house before the kids come back on Monday morning!!!
:)
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