So I'm here in Costa Rica, two weeks into an 8 week expedition with Raleigh International.

I realised I've not written much aside from my travel journal in over 14 days, and am suffering withdrawl symptoms. Now poetry ain't normally my bag, but below is a quick one I created this morning...

Ode to a Foreign Field

Costa Rica, happy and hot,
My schedule’s been a busy lot.
But a thought crossed my mind
Morbid but positive in kind.

If I should die this day
By snake bite or sun ray
Think only of me, your own,
In a field, far from home.

No more skits or mozzy bites
Sleeping comfy in celestial heights
A girl who has to eat no more
Refried beans from Raleigh stores.










All the best

Lou x

So it's my final evening in the UK before I take off to Costa Rica for the summer. I will be volunteering as a Project Manager for the next 8 weeks with a charity called Raleigh International. I will be leading teams of lots of young adult volunteers from the UK on environmental and community projects, and hopefully ending it all with five caving, canopy walking, white water rafting and exploring days in the beautiful South American country. 

So how did I spend my final day in Towcester, Northants? Well, I took the day off to pack. And boy, am I glad I did! It took me four hours to fill my backpack. Before I got started, I had my 'vacation' waxing appointment. Joy of joys, trying for a near perfect hairless body in anticipation of summer clothes, well, 'scruffs' and work clothes, on project in Costa Rica. Eyebrows, bikini, legs... All done, hoping for no nasty reaction this time. I went home for lunch - jacket potato and beans - proper UK comfort food. Mmm! 

Then I watched an episode of The Big Bang Theory. I'll miss that show! 

Then I watched a documentary called "The House The 50's Built" I'd recorded and meant to watch before I go. 

Finally I started packing. No use putting it off any longer. (NB. One of my friends is STILL procrastinating at time of writing and it's almost 4pm!).

Now, I am not packing for a holiday. Far from it. We will be working our little behinds off in Costa Rica to help promote sustainable environmental management and helping to develop the more rural and remote areas in the country, so it's not just swimsuits and suncream. I pride myself in being a good packer, having travelled a fair bit, and I owe my skills mainly to World Camp, Norway (1999) with the Guides, but it was tough. I'd gathered everything on my kit list into a cupboard so it was all in one place - that helped me get started. I prioritise every thing, thinking the only thing I could leave out was my mess (meal) kit and possibly my book, God forbid.

I spent four hours meticulously rolling my few clothes, waterproof bagging my things which shouldn't get damp, bagging up a gigantic First Aid kit, and shoving that essential pair of flip flops into the pack. Lucky we get a carry on bag too, holding my netbook, travel documents, a few toiletries etc, but I managed to get it all in. First time too! My friend Harri went to India in January of this year with Raleigh, and she did 'primary, secondary and tertiary' packing, so I was pretty chuffed with myself. I just hope it's not overweight when I get to the airport tomorrow morning.

Relieved and feeling liberated, I headed out to the pub next door to escape the ominous gaze of my backpack. I logged on to the internet to check-in at Terminal 5, Heathrow airport. Technology is brilliant, isn't it?! One less thing to do tomorrow. 

All checked in, British Airways took their final chance to remind me of a whole list of things not to take on the plane. Easy - no poisons, compressed gas, matches or lighters... Wait. Lighters??? I've never travelled with any lighters before but had diligently packed three in my pack earlier today. They weren't on the official Raleigh kit list, but I'd added them myself. They're always useful. Three. Bugger. 

Finishing my coke quickly, I went home, dreading the next task. Due to my careful planning and packing in relevant sections (First Aid in one dry bag, bits 'n' bobs in another, clothes rolled, things I'll need on arrival in an easy to reach compartment), I found the offending lighters fairly quickly. Phew. I actually gave myself a little 'hooray' and a pat on the back before re-packing. This was relatively hassle-free, and I was done. Done, done, done. One hiking backpack, one small carry-on bag and a pair of boots. I'll wear them tomorrow. 

Argh, what am I wearing tomorrow?? Something comfy, no jeans, and nothing too scruffy. You never know when you might be able to wangle an upgrade to Business Class! One thing I might have to down-play at the airport is my hoodie, hardly business-y, but I'll deal with that later. I plumped for a travelling outfit of brown cotton trousers and a plain t-shirt, carefully chosen and trusty socks, pants and a bra.


Now I'm chillin'. Watching Channel 4's documentary (yep, I like my docs!) featuring Martin Clunes in Madagascar studying endangered lemurs - or 'lee-m-yurs', as he calls them. Cuppa in my hand, I plan to chill for the rest of the evening, with a roast chicken dinner and my boyfriend who's staying home this summer.

There's a chance I may be able to blog a little while I am away, but please stay in touch. Let me know your packing tips, if you've worked with Raleigh before, and what you're up to this summer. I hope the sun shines for you! 

There is a blog under way for the project I am on in Costa Rica; take a look here if you're interested in seeing the work we're doing. See you in late August. An excited "Adios!" to you all!

Lou x 

I will leaving for Costa Rica this week. Far from a holiday, I am going to be working on a Raleigh International expedition for 8 weeks, and have to select some books to take with me. Harder than it sounds! 

Should I choose the books with the thought of swapping them with fellow volunteers when I'm done with them? Should I take ones I wouldn't mind leaving behind should I struggle for backpack space on the return journey? Should I pick something trusty and well-thumbed? And most importantly, should I go for a new and unknown author and story, therefore taking a risk it might not be that great a read? I bravely went for the latter, choosing one by an author I discovered early this year, and one recommendation by a great friend of mine, Ali Walker. Thanks Ali - but on YOUR head be it! *jokes* Wish me luck!

Lou x

There are more fantastic blogs I could mention, but I'm only allowed 15. Save them for another day maybe.

Now as a nominee for the Versatile Blogger Award, I have to reveal seven things about myself. Here goes...

1. I am going to Costa Rica this summer to work for Raleigh International. I'll be there for 8 weeks working on community and environmental projects with a whole pack of young volunteers who want to make a difference. I have been fundraising like mad and now comes the real challenge - packing. Just kidding, I am so excited for the expedition, to see a part of the world I have wanted to visit since I was a kid, and to get stuck in with some lasting, sustainable, good work and karma.

2. If I could wake up one day and be Olympic standard at any sport, I would pick ice skating. I can't skate very well at all, but I would love to be able to spin and jump to impress crowds of people. 

3. I have been collecting postcards and sugar sachets since I was small. I have shoeboxes full of them! Postcards, yes, kind of understandable given my travels and travelling friends and family, but sugar packets? I can't remember how that started, but trust me, it's addictive.

4. My biggest fear is bring trapped in a burning car. I cannot imagine a more horrific way to panic!

5. I get most of my 'books to read' recommendations from my mum. She knows what I like to get absorbed into better than I do!

6. Flying runs in the family, as my brother, uncle, dad and great uncle are/were all pilots. I guess that's where the travel bug comes from!

7. My first love was Jason Donovan, and I have no shame! We all have our secrets... I still own all his albums (on tape of course!)from when I was eight years old, or there abouts. I had to wait until I was 19 to see him perform live though, in a crummy bar in Swindon. He only did 3 songs, and one of them was the Home & Away theme!

And we're done! Phew! Now I'm blushing. Thanks again for the nomination, keep writing!

Lou x