Hopefully the first of many messages that need to be back dates and uploaded. The first breather I've had to go online since we arrived in country 2 weeks ago. This coming week should be a bit quieter though so hopefully things will get updated. Briefly everyone met up and arrived safely, and they have been teaching of the last week (and in some cases longer).
Matt
Friday 16 July 2010
Wednesday 30 June 2010
Basel - Zurich - London
BASEL: So my journey finally starts to get to africa. Around 0900 I met up with Dan, a volunteer from group 4, at the train station in Basel (and was fortunate enough to get a lift with him down to Zurich airport). For whatever reason the Swiss check in system wanted to make my life a little more difficult and after not having let me check in online the day before continued to refuse my check in attempts at the electronic check in counter i was directed to in the airport. So I got a little blast from the past and a 20min wait in line to not just drop off my bag but to check in as well.
ZURICH: Passing through security and suprised suprised im stopped for having a slightly large carry on crammed full of photo gear and folders, and it would seem they do a fairly good job of blocking all the xrays from seeing what is actually inside my bag, however had the first of many conversation to come about what the little green sillouette of africa with a white cross on it on my shirt meant. Fairly uneventful flight but on the plus side Swiss aren't and stingy as BA yet and you still get a sandwich as a snack on your flight \o/
LONDON: Arrive in london heathrow terminal 1, a place I haven't been to in at least a couple of years since the opening of T5, its the same old dump it was then, so nothing has really changed. Unfortunately the need for meeting my team and picking up First Aid equipment to take out means I have to leave airside :-( and collect my bags. I bid Dan farewell wishing him a good onward journey and the promise that we'd meet for dinner in 2 days time as to take 2 widely different routes to exactly the same place. Arriving outside terminal 3, I realize my memory wasn't quite as good as I thought it was. I thought I had been rather clever and told all the volunteers I was meeting for the flight out to africa to meet be by THE tree outside the terminal. Fantastic plan out in the open noone can miss you...unless of course... there happen to be about 4 or 5 trees in front of the terminal over a 100m stretch!!! Realizing there wasn't a heck of alot I could do at this point I found myself a shady spot under tree and began my 5 hour vigil looking out for volunteers....
...To be continued
ZURICH: Passing through security and suprised suprised im stopped for having a slightly large carry on crammed full of photo gear and folders, and it would seem they do a fairly good job of blocking all the xrays from seeing what is actually inside my bag, however had the first of many conversation to come about what the little green sillouette of africa with a white cross on it on my shirt meant. Fairly uneventful flight but on the plus side Swiss aren't and stingy as BA yet and you still get a sandwich as a snack on your flight \o/
LONDON: Arrive in london heathrow terminal 1, a place I haven't been to in at least a couple of years since the opening of T5, its the same old dump it was then, so nothing has really changed. Unfortunately the need for meeting my team and picking up First Aid equipment to take out means I have to leave airside :-( and collect my bags. I bid Dan farewell wishing him a good onward journey and the promise that we'd meet for dinner in 2 days time as to take 2 widely different routes to exactly the same place. Arriving outside terminal 3, I realize my memory wasn't quite as good as I thought it was. I thought I had been rather clever and told all the volunteers I was meeting for the flight out to africa to meet be by THE tree outside the terminal. Fantastic plan out in the open noone can miss you...unless of course... there happen to be about 4 or 5 trees in front of the terminal over a 100m stretch!!! Realizing there wasn't a heck of alot I could do at this point I found myself a shady spot under tree and began my 5 hour vigil looking out for volunteers....
...To be continued
Things I had forgotten but remembered in time....
Because yes, on occasion I do remember what I had forgotten to pack before I leave the house, we are currently at, my big leather hat and my mini maglite. Lets hope that was all that was making me nervous!
As per usual intermittent sleep the night before long travels, though I think that's more worrying about my team than my own travel arrangements. At least I'm someone that can sleep on a plane...and there's many planes to be doing that on over the next few days. Even better I'm meeting up with Dan H from TG4 here in Basel in a couple of hours, so at least I'll have someone to talk to for the first 3 hours before we split up in Heathrow and I begin my 6 hour vigil by the tree in front of the terminal hoping to spot the hint of a black polo with a spot of green vagually in the shape of Africa on it.
As per usual intermittent sleep the night before long travels, though I think that's more worrying about my team than my own travel arrangements. At least I'm someone that can sleep on a plane...and there's many planes to be doing that on over the next few days. Even better I'm meeting up with Dan H from TG4 here in Basel in a couple of hours, so at least I'll have someone to talk to for the first 3 hours before we split up in Heathrow and I begin my 6 hour vigil by the tree in front of the terminal hoping to spot the hint of a black polo with a spot of green vagually in the shape of Africa on it.
Tuesday 29 June 2010
I think im packed...maybe...i hope
Less than 24 hours before I leave now and im sitting at my laptop over looking two backpacks that look ready to burst. I promised myself I would be able to pack light this time cause I knew what was worth bringing and what was not. That was a great plan, completely shot out of the sky by the increased amounts of personal first aid kit being brought this year, and photography equipment. Believe it or not i've squeezed both a mono and tripod into my 22kg hold bag. Why is it I have this unnerving feeling I've forgotten to pack something? I do know I've got all the team leadery things I need, like everyones flight details, money, my own flight details, passport, work permit stuff, vaccine card, bank cards to name but a few...
Emirates are a great airline, they give you 30kg as an economy passenger!!! which is all well....but when you in a position like mine that involves flying into london to get on the emirates flight, you need to make sure your bag is a mere 23kg!! Though this does means I can go on a shopping spree for books once I arrive in Heathrow :-D or taking care of the excess first aid kit that results from not everybody leaving space in their bags for it!
Maddie is already in africa now, and has been for the last few days, I'm sure she'll get round to a post once shes finished sorting all the odd jobs in preparation for our arrival on friday.
Can't wait for the next few days to be over with now and be able to catch my breath and relax just a little knowing that everyone has arrived in Moshi safe and sound!
Emirates are a great airline, they give you 30kg as an economy passenger!!! which is all well....but when you in a position like mine that involves flying into london to get on the emirates flight, you need to make sure your bag is a mere 23kg!! Though this does means I can go on a shopping spree for books once I arrive in Heathrow :-D or taking care of the excess first aid kit that results from not everybody leaving space in their bags for it!
Maddie is already in africa now, and has been for the last few days, I'm sure she'll get round to a post once shes finished sorting all the odd jobs in preparation for our arrival on friday.
Can't wait for the next few days to be over with now and be able to catch my breath and relax just a little knowing that everyone has arrived in Moshi safe and sound!
Friday 18 June 2010
Falling into place
A little over a week now till we start jet setting down the world. Fortunately everything has begun to fall into place, I say fortunately because I think my sanity was going to be damaged on a permanent basis otherwise.
Hassle with various high commissions round the world over the issue of the correct business visa for volunteers has been sorted. Flights are all booked. And my order of First Aid kit has finally been dispatched to me (cutting it a bit close its meant to turn up 3 business days before I leave!!)
However its nice to be winding things up on my placement, even if that does mean running around the lab tidying up and labelling lots of little bottle that look like they contain the same white/brown foam. Good news the report is behind me though! and I finish in a weeks time. Its hard to believe 12 months has flown by that fast, though can't complain too much really when my colleagues get to continue watching the beautful sunny weather from the wrong side of the window in our lab. whilst I'm running around the Kilimanjaro region having a blast with my team!
I do wish for it to be 2 weeks time now though, as that will mean all the traveling is behind me and everyones adjusting to life on swahili time! Im sure playing hide and seek with my volunteers at the airport will leave me a tad on the edge by the time we get on our flight, though we do have the wonderful company of Nicola and her Brum lot. :-) serious packing next week and then a couple of days running around like a headless chicken wondering what important thing I have not packed. Its always the case! (least when im camping or hiking it is, leading me to be a practice carver of things like wooden spoons!)
Hassle with various high commissions round the world over the issue of the correct business visa for volunteers has been sorted. Flights are all booked. And my order of First Aid kit has finally been dispatched to me (cutting it a bit close its meant to turn up 3 business days before I leave!!)
However its nice to be winding things up on my placement, even if that does mean running around the lab tidying up and labelling lots of little bottle that look like they contain the same white/brown foam. Good news the report is behind me though! and I finish in a weeks time. Its hard to believe 12 months has flown by that fast, though can't complain too much really when my colleagues get to continue watching the beautful sunny weather from the wrong side of the window in our lab. whilst I'm running around the Kilimanjaro region having a blast with my team!
I do wish for it to be 2 weeks time now though, as that will mean all the traveling is behind me and everyones adjusting to life on swahili time! Im sure playing hide and seek with my volunteers at the airport will leave me a tad on the edge by the time we get on our flight, though we do have the wonderful company of Nicola and her Brum lot. :-) serious packing next week and then a couple of days running around like a headless chicken wondering what important thing I have not packed. Its always the case! (least when im camping or hiking it is, leading me to be a practice carver of things like wooden spoons!)
Thursday 10 June 2010
Visas, Visas, Visas...
What pain they are... I should be getting back my passport any day now.... *fingers crossed*, being the controlling type I called the Tanzanian High Comission yesterday to see if they could give me some indication as to when I would get my passport back, seeing as I'm so nervous about it. (rightly so if I techinically need it to go visit people or just drive into France or Germany...). Anyways the cheery man at the other end of the telephone was happy to put my mind at rest, so after asking for my name I began to hear the flicking of paper/files, then I was asked my name again. I can understand that, I know when I'm looking for thing I suddenly remember I no longer know what thing I was looking for!
Though when additional questions begin to come such as "what colour was the envelope you sent it in", "when was it sent", "was your payment by post or cash", "how much was the payment for" I began to get slightly more concerned as to the location of my passport. I mean how many British Passports can there be kicking around the THC (in Geneva for those of you who are British readers)??? Eventually the lovely chap muttered a very quick "we send today" and hung up. So now I just get to worry as to whether it turns up this morning or not!!!!! Kind of wishing I had the time to take a day off work and just drive the length of the country to get the visa done in one day than messing around with the post! All will be sorted one way or another in the next few days :-)
On other visa notes, been having trouble with one of my volunteers from Canada, it would seem that their high commission disagree with the one in London as to the requirements to issue the necessary visa! Ah well at least by the end of this summer we'll have paperwork in place to get volunteers a visa issued whereever they might find themselves in the world!
On the plus side, none of the rest of the team have been having any problems getting their visas sorted, from here on its the easy stretch (at least in my eyes) of deciding what to take and packing bags. Also includes for me deciding which books I want to buy in London Heathrow for the trip.
After a long silence period (probably due to exams, or just forgetting they were going to africa this summer), my inbox has seen a trickle of emails coming most days of the week from the volunteers of Tanzania Group 2, each with their own questions about the trip, packing, travel arrangements, money, and more!
Though when additional questions begin to come such as "what colour was the envelope you sent it in", "when was it sent", "was your payment by post or cash", "how much was the payment for" I began to get slightly more concerned as to the location of my passport. I mean how many British Passports can there be kicking around the THC (in Geneva for those of you who are British readers)??? Eventually the lovely chap muttered a very quick "we send today" and hung up. So now I just get to worry as to whether it turns up this morning or not!!!!! Kind of wishing I had the time to take a day off work and just drive the length of the country to get the visa done in one day than messing around with the post! All will be sorted one way or another in the next few days :-)
On other visa notes, been having trouble with one of my volunteers from Canada, it would seem that their high commission disagree with the one in London as to the requirements to issue the necessary visa! Ah well at least by the end of this summer we'll have paperwork in place to get volunteers a visa issued whereever they might find themselves in the world!
On the plus side, none of the rest of the team have been having any problems getting their visas sorted, from here on its the easy stretch (at least in my eyes) of deciding what to take and packing bags. Also includes for me deciding which books I want to buy in London Heathrow for the trip.
After a long silence period (probably due to exams, or just forgetting they were going to africa this summer), my inbox has seen a trickle of emails coming most days of the week from the volunteers of Tanzania Group 2, each with their own questions about the trip, packing, travel arrangements, money, and more!
Monday 7 June 2010
Passport here! Leaving Spain..... 16 days to go.
I sit among my dusty possessions, packing away clothing, sneezing and saying goodbye to one of the best years of my life..... Yes, my passport, complete with visa (hurrah!), has arrived on time and the hour has come say ADIOS to beloved Spain. I would be crying into my Sangria for sure if it wasnt for the fact that Im spending my summer in TANZANIA! I have First Aid Africa to thank, as without the excitement of said placement, leaving the 30 degree heat/new pals/tapas of my year abroad would be 100x worse. NOW it's time to move on from Madrid and start concentrating on refreshing my Kiswahili, revising my first aid and making long and complicated travel lists. ONLY 16 DAYS!!!
Wednesday 2 June 2010
Eeeek!
A months time and I'll be sitting on the roof of Kindoroko in Moshi!! Eeeeeek! Best get on with that project report for work...
Sunday 30 May 2010
Looks like im coming to Tanzania....
First stage of visa process completed in passport arrival to UK. Extremely boring update etc but just in case any of you are worrying about a lack of Maddie on the trip. Ciao xxxxx
PS Matt, that first aid kit is frighteningly efficient. Congrats!
PS Matt, that first aid kit is frighteningly efficient. Congrats!
Stocking up
Now comes the time before every trip in which I re-inventory all my First Aid equipment. It's also a time to reflect on previous trips and note what is needed more than others and what's that one THING I wish I had had. However whilst order kit, its also a time to splash around a little money and get some cool new toys :-D.
I've also decided for the first time that instead of just taking my first aid kit, a military webtex medical pouch, I'll also use the +15l mini day pack that attaches to my 70l backpack. Over the past 2 years my first aid kit has grown out a bit to include things that aren't normally found in a urban Red Cross first aid kit, and it's now bulging at the seams.
On top of the usually Tough Cuts (scissors for removing clothing), Sharp Scissors (distinguished from tough cuts which are blunt), fine tipped tweezers, various dressings, wound pads, gauze, tapes, gloves, instant ice pack, asprin, plasters, penlight, saline solution. It contains an emergency military dressing with pressure bar, sterile pre-threaded sutures, a kelly clamp, disinfectant, anti-histamines, steristrips. tubigrip (now i know some of you might give me a lot of stick for carrying this, BUT last time when I was treating the daughter of a neighbour who had stepped on a farm implement whilst barefooted, tubigrip was a lifesaver in keeping the dressing on her foot and relatively clean!), a permanent marker (like one of the OHP ones, reason for it being permanent is you can write not only on paper for monitoring info, but also on your gloves, and the casualty!)
By using the 15l bag, I can carry a more comprehensive kit including quikclot sponges, large zetuvit, and loads of different size crepe bandages and dressing. As well as a couple of SAM splints. So now my 'small' webtex pouch is always in my bag, where as the 15l bag will be grabbed if going somewhere where the stuff might be needed. Oh, I'll also have my proper size CPR mask in there and a selection of OP airways.
On order in addition to a general restock of my kit (including a bunch of steristrips, after I cut my thumb open yesterday and a stray piece of metal, I realized just how valuable they are for wounds!), a BVM (because ive wanted one for a while), a couple of differently sized sutures (just because, though they are still all of roughly a similar size and can be used any where I'd dare suture someone), a finger sized SAM splint (not because im expecting broken fingers, but it just sounds like a useful size), some finger gauzetube (because its near impossible to keep dressing on fingers when your fingers are slightly sweaty, so tubigrip for fingers is a good idea...i think).
Now its a well known fact amongst those that I travel with that I carry a pretty comprehensive 'travel pharmacy' with me. School trips saw the teachers coming to me for medication...not quite how the "students should hand over all medicine to teachers at the beginning of the trip" is meant to work but hey...So normally I have the usual collection of painkillers: paracetamol, asprin, ibuprofen. To which this year we'll add some co-codamol for good measure (thats codeine with paracetamol, OTC versions available as well as prescription versions. Travel Sickness tablets (i hardly ever get travel sick these days, but I figure better to have them and not need them than the other way around!), some general Antibiotics! (great addition to have to the kit!), Immodium (well generic there of and lots of it, I usually don't need it, but lots of others appreciate it!), multivitamins (now I'd never thought of this before, but as a suggestion from a friend, I think its a great idea), throat lozenges, flu medication (you know the type you mix with hot water and drink to make you feel human again).
We'll see what else I can come up with over the next few weeks and I'll keep you posted. One things for sure everybody is going to be well looked after :-)
I've also decided for the first time that instead of just taking my first aid kit, a military webtex medical pouch, I'll also use the +15l mini day pack that attaches to my 70l backpack. Over the past 2 years my first aid kit has grown out a bit to include things that aren't normally found in a urban Red Cross first aid kit, and it's now bulging at the seams.
On top of the usually Tough Cuts (scissors for removing clothing), Sharp Scissors (distinguished from tough cuts which are blunt), fine tipped tweezers, various dressings, wound pads, gauze, tapes, gloves, instant ice pack, asprin, plasters, penlight, saline solution. It contains an emergency military dressing with pressure bar, sterile pre-threaded sutures, a kelly clamp, disinfectant, anti-histamines, steristrips. tubigrip (now i know some of you might give me a lot of stick for carrying this, BUT last time when I was treating the daughter of a neighbour who had stepped on a farm implement whilst barefooted, tubigrip was a lifesaver in keeping the dressing on her foot and relatively clean!), a permanent marker (like one of the OHP ones, reason for it being permanent is you can write not only on paper for monitoring info, but also on your gloves, and the casualty!)
By using the 15l bag, I can carry a more comprehensive kit including quikclot sponges, large zetuvit, and loads of different size crepe bandages and dressing. As well as a couple of SAM splints. So now my 'small' webtex pouch is always in my bag, where as the 15l bag will be grabbed if going somewhere where the stuff might be needed. Oh, I'll also have my proper size CPR mask in there and a selection of OP airways.
On order in addition to a general restock of my kit (including a bunch of steristrips, after I cut my thumb open yesterday and a stray piece of metal, I realized just how valuable they are for wounds!), a BVM (because ive wanted one for a while), a couple of differently sized sutures (just because, though they are still all of roughly a similar size and can be used any where I'd dare suture someone), a finger sized SAM splint (not because im expecting broken fingers, but it just sounds like a useful size), some finger gauzetube (because its near impossible to keep dressing on fingers when your fingers are slightly sweaty, so tubigrip for fingers is a good idea...i think).
Now its a well known fact amongst those that I travel with that I carry a pretty comprehensive 'travel pharmacy' with me. School trips saw the teachers coming to me for medication...not quite how the "students should hand over all medicine to teachers at the beginning of the trip" is meant to work but hey...So normally I have the usual collection of painkillers: paracetamol, asprin, ibuprofen. To which this year we'll add some co-codamol for good measure (thats codeine with paracetamol, OTC versions available as well as prescription versions. Travel Sickness tablets (i hardly ever get travel sick these days, but I figure better to have them and not need them than the other way around!), some general Antibiotics! (great addition to have to the kit!), Immodium (well generic there of and lots of it, I usually don't need it, but lots of others appreciate it!), multivitamins (now I'd never thought of this before, but as a suggestion from a friend, I think its a great idea), throat lozenges, flu medication (you know the type you mix with hot water and drink to make you feel human again).
We'll see what else I can come up with over the next few weeks and I'll keep you posted. One things for sure everybody is going to be well looked after :-)
Saturday 29 May 2010
Maddie is delighted to find blog entry named after her PLUS the joys of popular music in tanz
Back to the blog and see that Matt has done an entry all about me, myself and I. Touched, I am, truly touched. What's new at my end..... Oh yes - Im STRANDED in Spain! Jolly dee, hip hip hurrah. Just posted off my passport for a tanz visa (after sending a torrent of threatening emails to volunteers lagging behind in the application process, I felt like it would be hypocritcal not to get on it myself) and am sitting here on the other side of the channel (plus a few miles) crossing my fingers for a swift return of said document. Though I love Madrid, Im getting the outa-africa blues, plus its about time I started eating less tapas and beer and more plantane. I already gained a stone....... So, let's all hope that the Tanzanian embassy is feeling particularly efficient over the next few days.
And Matt, no more waiting around! You're meant to be the organised one!
I bring you a new and exciting topic: MUSIC! I can promise you now, dear volunteers, that even the most hard core hater of RnB will come back from the trip CONVERTED to usher, nigerian rap, neyo and Boyz2men. Yeh, that is spelt with a Z. Even you heavy metal fans will not escape. After a night or two in the infamous moshi clubs (that's right, there are discos) you're all gona be loving it. The best bit? The lyrics are so profound - it's just like poetry. In the words of Akon:
'I see you in the club. You're gettin' down. I want to get with you.'
I don't know about you, but I'm feeling that.
Got to be off, Chris Brown is calling.
How for now
And Matt, no more waiting around! You're meant to be the organised one!
I bring you a new and exciting topic: MUSIC! I can promise you now, dear volunteers, that even the most hard core hater of RnB will come back from the trip CONVERTED to usher, nigerian rap, neyo and Boyz2men. Yeh, that is spelt with a Z. Even you heavy metal fans will not escape. After a night or two in the infamous moshi clubs (that's right, there are discos) you're all gona be loving it. The best bit? The lyrics are so profound - it's just like poetry. In the words of Akon:
'I see you in the club. You're gettin' down. I want to get with you.'
I don't know about you, but I'm feeling that.
Got to be off, Chris Brown is calling.
How for now
Friday 28 May 2010
Bloggers start you engines!
Today our 5 volunteer bloggers got emails from me with details on how to get access to their First Aid Africa Blogs. Over the next few weeks we should see posts appearing from Kathryn in Malawi, Fiona, Clare, and Rebecca in Tanzania, and Kerri in Kenya!
On other notes REALLY need to get my visa application in, however good news I've been reminded of the east africa pact which means that my single entry Kenyan tourist visa allows me to hop over the border to Tanzania and back without the need for a new visa, go figure. However YAY! no need for transit visas seeing as I'll be spending some time in Kenya visiting friends once the First Aid Africa trip has wound itself up.
On other notes REALLY need to get my visa application in, however good news I've been reminded of the east africa pact which means that my single entry Kenyan tourist visa allows me to hop over the border to Tanzania and back without the need for a new visa, go figure. However YAY! no need for transit visas seeing as I'll be spending some time in Kenya visiting friends once the First Aid Africa trip has wound itself up.
Thursday 27 May 2010
The Journey to London - BOOKED
Something that could have been overlooked....I need to be in London (LHR T3) for my flight to Dubai then on to Nairobi! However fantastic news, Swiss International Airlines must have had some special deal going because I've managed to pick up my return ticket in August for only £50 more than the economy flight o_O! No complaints though so when I've spent the better part of 24hrs making my way from Africa back to Europe I get to enjoy lounge access (YES!!!) and increased baggage allowance (lots of goodies from Africa) in London before my trip back to Switzerland, I wouldn't say that I'm now looking forward to my flights back....but this sure does make them bareable :-)
Wednesday 26 May 2010
Maddie joins the blog :-)
Long over due really. But Maddie has finally joined the blog and will be keeping you all entertained with her unique and quirky style of writting. Head over to the about Matt & Maddie page (look up a little...now a little more, now to the left a bit ..there it is) to read a little blurb about us, written by the wonderful Maddie.
I should probably also mention it's not really Maddie's fault that it took so long, it might have slipped my mind to give her access whilst I was busy setting up the other First Aid Africa blogs for summer 2010. As you might have noticed (or not, as I think there might be only 1 reader of the blog by this point) loads of links have started appearing on the blog page. Please have a looky (in the future, because they arent writting yet) at the adventures our volunteers are having in Kenya, Malawi, and Tanzania. You'll find the links on the right hand side.
I should probably also mention it's not really Maddie's fault that it took so long, it might have slipped my mind to give her access whilst I was busy setting up the other First Aid Africa blogs for summer 2010. As you might have noticed (or not, as I think there might be only 1 reader of the blog by this point) loads of links have started appearing on the blog page. Please have a looky (in the future, because they arent writting yet) at the adventures our volunteers are having in Kenya, Malawi, and Tanzania. You'll find the links on the right hand side.
Tuesday 25 May 2010
Flights Confirmed!!! & Fundraising Building Momentum
It's Official! Flights for Tanzania Team 2 have been confirmed! Also means that 8 of my team (and half of Team 4) get to play hide and seek with me around London Heathrow Terminal 3! Details of the game will be posted to respective participants in the near future.
Tanzania Co-Ordinator, Harry, is now in country and things are getting sorted an a fantastic rate, vehicle check, place to live check, placements mostly check. Harry is such a star!
Plans coming together for our arrival in Nairobi as well with transportation being arranged from the airport to a hotel right by the bus station, where we'll take our coach to Moshi. Looked into the possibility of taking the volunteers to the Carnivore for dinner in Nairobi, then had the brutal realisation of remembering just how expensive it is!!! Soooo maybe another time when everyones no longer a student....(and everyones decided they want to eat meat!)
It's now high past the time for Visa applications to happen, it's all very well sending reminders out to the team, just need to get it done myself! Must get all the paperwork and pictures sorted (should probaly get the work permit ones done whilst I'm there as well) by the end of the week.
On the fundraising side of things I've found being on Industrial Placement in a foreign country to make it rather challenging, however fantastic means of fundraising from around the world; Easysearch.org.uk! If you choose to search the web with http://faafrica.easysearch.org.uk/ then you'll raise money for us for every search you make :-) not only do you get great search results (from Bing, yahoo, Ask.com) but your helping us at the same time. 2 weeks ago we raised £2.48 in 7 days (508 searches) if we keep that up all year we can buy 1800+ bandages to send with the project to East Africa! O you can also use the easyfundraising search box I've added to the buttom of the blog which will take you directly to the search engine page, but best course of action, BOOKMARK it, or make it your homepage. Thank yoou :-)
Maddie showed me this great documentary recently (Welcome to Lagos), which was shown on the BBC in about april, unfortunately this means it's no longer availiable on iplayer, however I suggest searching for it on a popular video side and you might get lucky *wink* *wink*. Anyways the purpose of showing me the footage was to propose we look into doing something similar of the Moshi and Himo area. This will be a great little side project for our limited free time and one that integrates well with our joint interest in photography.
Can't believe its only a month and a few days till lift off now!
Tanzania Co-Ordinator, Harry, is now in country and things are getting sorted an a fantastic rate, vehicle check, place to live check, placements mostly check. Harry is such a star!
Plans coming together for our arrival in Nairobi as well with transportation being arranged from the airport to a hotel right by the bus station, where we'll take our coach to Moshi. Looked into the possibility of taking the volunteers to the Carnivore for dinner in Nairobi, then had the brutal realisation of remembering just how expensive it is!!! Soooo maybe another time when everyones no longer a student....(and everyones decided they want to eat meat!)
It's now high past the time for Visa applications to happen, it's all very well sending reminders out to the team, just need to get it done myself! Must get all the paperwork and pictures sorted (should probaly get the work permit ones done whilst I'm there as well) by the end of the week.
On the fundraising side of things I've found being on Industrial Placement in a foreign country to make it rather challenging, however fantastic means of fundraising from around the world; Easysearch.org.uk! If you choose to search the web with http://faafrica.easysearch.org.uk/ then you'll raise money for us for every search you make :-) not only do you get great search results (from Bing, yahoo, Ask.com) but your helping us at the same time. 2 weeks ago we raised £2.48 in 7 days (508 searches) if we keep that up all year we can buy 1800+ bandages to send with the project to East Africa! O you can also use the easyfundraising search box I've added to the buttom of the blog which will take you directly to the search engine page, but best course of action, BOOKMARK it, or make it your homepage. Thank yoou :-)
Maddie showed me this great documentary recently (Welcome to Lagos), which was shown on the BBC in about april, unfortunately this means it's no longer availiable on iplayer, however I suggest searching for it on a popular video side and you might get lucky *wink* *wink*. Anyways the purpose of showing me the footage was to propose we look into doing something similar of the Moshi and Himo area. This will be a great little side project for our limited free time and one that integrates well with our joint interest in photography.
Can't believe its only a month and a few days till lift off now!
Monday 10 May 2010
D Minus 45
Can't help but be excited these days. Confirmation of flights coming through in the next 24 hours, Harry on the ground in Tanzania preparing everything for the teams arriving over the next couple of months! Though this means time to get in gear and sort out Visa for Tanzania. Kenyan one is only going to be a transit so will be sorted out at point of entry (Nairobi airport) when we arrive. Rough plans in place for transport from Nairobi to Moshi, so it's all coming together nicely. Good feedback so far from the team indicating that they are on top of sorting out Travel Insurance, Vaccinations, Visa, Health Declarations. Time to get on and start sorting out the rest of the luggage, Vaccinations all sorted now, and the travel Pharmacy that I carry has been restocked with a few new items making an apperance such as 2 courses worth of general Anti-biotics!
Continued from my last post, the last of the camera stuff arrived this morning, so I have a fantastic filter to protect my new lens from everything Africa throws at it (I HOPE!!!) and a shiny new camera/daybag. I've been on the hunt for something like this for quite sometime now, since I tend to be over prepared when on the travels, I carry a lot of junk in my daypack so usually use a 35l bag. However now I've expanded my camera equipment I'm a bit more weary of having it all bump around the bottom of my bag getting damaged. So my new day pack has plenty of pockets for all my first aidy and admin stuff, but in the bottom is a intended camera compartement complete with padding and all the bells and whistles!
Continued from my last post, the last of the camera stuff arrived this morning, so I have a fantastic filter to protect my new lens from everything Africa throws at it (I HOPE!!!) and a shiny new camera/daybag. I've been on the hunt for something like this for quite sometime now, since I tend to be over prepared when on the travels, I carry a lot of junk in my daypack so usually use a 35l bag. However now I've expanded my camera equipment I'm a bit more weary of having it all bump around the bottom of my bag getting damaged. So my new day pack has plenty of pockets for all my first aidy and admin stuff, but in the bottom is a intended camera compartement complete with padding and all the bells and whistles!
Sunday 25 April 2010
M minus 2
Time is flying by much faster than desired and it's time to start thinking about personal preparations for Tanzania and not just those of our team. It's well past the time to get out the little vaccination booklet and realize damn my tetanus has run out. With everything else thats going on, ash clouds of death descending on europe and the like, im sure there won't be much time with last minute shopping and running around for all the things I need AND want to take.
To start off with the things I want to take, as that kind of shopping is always much more fun, not to mention the thrill of then trying to fit it all in the hiking backpack which will contain my life whilst in country. Camera things! I've always had a interest in photography but since landing my hands on a dSLR last year I must admit its intesified just a tad...and now given the opportunity of working in a wonderful country like Tanzania I want to make the most of it and fit in as much photography time as possible. Maddie is most definately of the same persuassion so we are going to try and keep you entertained during our time in country with not only funny and thrilling tails of our teams and our adventures, but also a wide spectrum of pictures showing everything the project and country have to offer. On with camera things: memory, memory and more MEMORY! I was dead chuffed when my new camera came with a full 12mp of shooting capability unfortunately my preexisting supply of memory gets eaten through like a flock of vultures on a zerba.
So I figure I should at least tripple my supply of memory, and if im taking so many pictures and the electricity went out? well then im going to need another battery right? (lets make that 2!, turns out energizer make a version of my camera battery priced at half that of canon's, so i figured since I'd already set aside the money for the battery 2 is better than 1 right?) I've recently been fortunate enough to pick up a Sigma 150-500mm lens for a good price, which is going to be put through its paces on all the wildlife in the region, and possibly the odd sneaky paparazi picture of the team, however cause its not the smallest lens in the world it's probably high time I invest in my own tripod as I don't think my family members would be so supportive of me borrowing theirs and promptly running out of the country with it. however how do i fit a tripod in my bag in the first place? and make sure its light enough, all without breaking the bank???? problem to be solved on a another day I think.
Last time I was packing ready to head out to TZ, I debated back and forth about taking my light weight hiking hammock with me, in the end I decided not to. Of course suprise suprise 2 weeks in coutnry and there was the perfect hammock spot! Worse than that my friend had thought to bring his so I had the pleasure of watching him gloat swinging back and forth whilst the sunset over the peak of Kilimanjaro! This is one mistake I shall not be repeating! A spork! wonderful things they are, how did I ever live without one in my past life? I'll never forget eating spaghetti with chopsticks fashioned out of pencils on my last tip and a spoon hastily carved out of a lump of wood lying around. And as much as I enjoyed?!?!? the unique taste graphite adds to a meal, I'm thinking a spork (spoon and a fork all in one for those not in the know) is a must. A digital watch with alarm function, after the unfortunate death of my last one in the YMCA swimming pool in moshi. A mixture of herbs and spices for cooking, I enjoy all the fresh food out there, but I got a bit tired of just salt to season things with.
First Aid kit- I make it a point of taking some new toy with me every trip. Usually this results from completing some form of advanced skills course, or persuading the odd vet friend to teach me things, like suturing :-D Maybe its about time I added a Bag-Valve-Mask (BVM) to my personal kit, its not going to break the bank, and the Oralphlageal (OP) airways purchased last time arent that useful without it hehe. Also the Rescue Knife by victorionix looks quite tempting to augument all the other random (but useful) tools found in my knife kits.
To start off with the things I want to take, as that kind of shopping is always much more fun, not to mention the thrill of then trying to fit it all in the hiking backpack which will contain my life whilst in country. Camera things! I've always had a interest in photography but since landing my hands on a dSLR last year I must admit its intesified just a tad...and now given the opportunity of working in a wonderful country like Tanzania I want to make the most of it and fit in as much photography time as possible. Maddie is most definately of the same persuassion so we are going to try and keep you entertained during our time in country with not only funny and thrilling tails of our teams and our adventures, but also a wide spectrum of pictures showing everything the project and country have to offer. On with camera things: memory, memory and more MEMORY! I was dead chuffed when my new camera came with a full 12mp of shooting capability unfortunately my preexisting supply of memory gets eaten through like a flock of vultures on a zerba.
So I figure I should at least tripple my supply of memory, and if im taking so many pictures and the electricity went out? well then im going to need another battery right? (lets make that 2!, turns out energizer make a version of my camera battery priced at half that of canon's, so i figured since I'd already set aside the money for the battery 2 is better than 1 right?) I've recently been fortunate enough to pick up a Sigma 150-500mm lens for a good price, which is going to be put through its paces on all the wildlife in the region, and possibly the odd sneaky paparazi picture of the team, however cause its not the smallest lens in the world it's probably high time I invest in my own tripod as I don't think my family members would be so supportive of me borrowing theirs and promptly running out of the country with it. however how do i fit a tripod in my bag in the first place? and make sure its light enough, all without breaking the bank???? problem to be solved on a another day I think.
Last time I was packing ready to head out to TZ, I debated back and forth about taking my light weight hiking hammock with me, in the end I decided not to. Of course suprise suprise 2 weeks in coutnry and there was the perfect hammock spot! Worse than that my friend had thought to bring his so I had the pleasure of watching him gloat swinging back and forth whilst the sunset over the peak of Kilimanjaro! This is one mistake I shall not be repeating! A spork! wonderful things they are, how did I ever live without one in my past life? I'll never forget eating spaghetti with chopsticks fashioned out of pencils on my last tip and a spoon hastily carved out of a lump of wood lying around. And as much as I enjoyed?!?!? the unique taste graphite adds to a meal, I'm thinking a spork (spoon and a fork all in one for those not in the know) is a must. A digital watch with alarm function, after the unfortunate death of my last one in the YMCA swimming pool in moshi. A mixture of herbs and spices for cooking, I enjoy all the fresh food out there, but I got a bit tired of just salt to season things with.
First Aid kit- I make it a point of taking some new toy with me every trip. Usually this results from completing some form of advanced skills course, or persuading the odd vet friend to teach me things, like suturing :-D Maybe its about time I added a Bag-Valve-Mask (BVM) to my personal kit, its not going to break the bank, and the Oralphlageal (OP) airways purchased last time arent that useful without it hehe. Also the Rescue Knife by victorionix looks quite tempting to augument all the other random (but useful) tools found in my knife kits.
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