So in response to what has become the daily question from many of you, the plans for my trip to South America are coming along slowly. I'm hoping that committing my progress to print will inspire me to actually sort out some of the pre-departure essentials. Insurance being one. Changing at least a small amount of currency is another. Booking accommodation is perhaps a more important third. However, following assurances from my colleague that 'it's not the third world! You can buy toothpaste and shit', packing has taken a back seat. Feel free to place your bets as to what my excess luggage charges will be (if you need guidance, I think my excess weight fee (pre-pleading with Quantas ground staff) when I went to Australia was around £200...)
Anyway, I have just received a lovely card and leaving gift from my colleagues, and so this must mean that the holiday spirit can officially take over! I was very excited when James handed me a Ted Baker bag with my card (a fleeting reminder of my leaving treat from KN), although when I unwrapped the beautifully presented box within, it was a slight surprise to find a Swiss Army penknife and a Maglite torch. Undoubtedly, both will be incredibly useful on my travels: there is a corkscrew, bottle opener, nail file and tweezers, along with multiple large blades; one colleague's response to these was to exclaim, 'but have you seen the size of the insects out there? You'll need these to kill the little buggers!'. I am now convinced I can feel one of those dog-sized beetles crawling up my leg. I'm not sure at what point I held myself out as an intrepid outdoors-explorer type, but after the gift was presented to me, I was asked 'is it a cycling trip?' 'so are you camping the whole time?' 'will you be sleeping under the stars?' and 'do you think you will be doing much rock climbing?' Make of those what you will...
I am now going to seize the opportunity to tick off one of the starred items on my to-do list, and buy travel insurance. And maybe learn some Spanish.
