Last minute career break preparation....

How has the preparation for your trip been? What have you had to organise (house, pets)?
Ok. Had a bit to sort out. House - a mate is looking after that. Car - a mate will keep that ticking over. Insurance for car will be due, road tax due but I've left money for that to be sorted. Its the end of the tax year in April, so most of what I have to do for that is all done and left in my Dads hands.

I've got another trip lined up and I'm not as far on with that as expected. All my stuff is done but a bit of paperwork will come in while I am away. Thats OK as I will be back in time to deal with it. I have an embassy trip to sort out a visa but that has been sorted as far as I know for a date when I am home. There will be a flight to confirm while I am away, but I should be able to do that online. And my mate will keep an eye out too, to remind me!

How is the packing going?
Packing. What's that?! I've got a new case, which should be better than what I have used before. I always take too much, so this time I am determined to keep to a minimum.
I might go and buy some new socks and pants though! To be serious I am working on ten days of clothes plus a couple of nice tops and an old pair of jeans for working in. Its shoes I am not sure about. I decided on a pair of shoes, a pair of walking boots, a pair of trainers and an old pair to work in which I can dump. Then its just normal stuff, toothpaste, soap, malaria pills etc! Loads of sun tan cream, factor 25. I am going to need more than the usual one bottle. 

Have you said your farewells yet to your friends and family?
I'm doing farewells over the next few days.

How are you feeling about the trip ahead of you?
Good. I just want to get off now really. I don't like the whole airport bit much. I know it sounds stupid but I am always a bit worried about that part. Trying to check in and not having the right ticket is my worst nightmare. Last year I went to Canada. The flight was hours late, it took ages to get through customs then get to Toronto. I had a room booked but got next to no sleep, no time, then to Toronto airport for an early onward flight, I was so tired I just gave the check in lady all the paperwork I had and let her take what she wanted.

It will be an early start Saturday morning for me so when I get to Madrid I will probably just do the same and look a total halfwit!

As for getting to Guatemala, I am really looking forward to it. I have a guidebook, but will just go where the host family say because I think they will know best. I am looking forward to meeting everyone else out there trying to learn Spanish and hope to tag along with some one for a bit of a laugh.

Have you had any last minute nerves?
My last minute nerves are really all about the airport. Once I am in the air it will be fine.
I am just looking forward to getting there. I was rubbish at languages at school, but living with a family and learning with them could be such a laugh I might just surprise myself. I'm not holding my breath about that one though. The other thing is I have had this thing about contributing to a project for the last three years, since the tsunami. This trip looks like a good compromise, the ‘you scratch my back, I will scratch yours' kind of thing.

Whatever happens it will be an experience and maybe some more good friends will be made as a result. I made some out of the Camp America thing and in many ways the confidence I got from doing that has spurred me on to do this.

How are you getting to the airport and who with?
I plan to go to London a couple of days before. Stay with a mate from America, and then go to Heathrow on the tube. I will go there on my own. I do have to check in at about 3.30am!

Are you happy with the service you have received from GYFGU's?
GYFGU have sorted me out so far OK.

Is there anything that you are worried about or least looking forward to?
Airport! Not exactly worried, I just don't like it all that much. Its not stressful is it. I don't know what it is really, its just one of those things. Time drags, its boring. Last year at Toronto I got talking to an old lady whose husband took part in D-Day. She didn't like airports much either. She was very interesting. 

What are you looking forward to most?
Hard to say what I am looking forward to most. This is the most 'adventurous' thing I have ever tried and I am just 'buzzing' about it. I want to give learning Spanish a real go. If I can do it, it could be so usefull in the future. Even if it is just for the odd trip to Cadiz.

The trip has many possibilities and that is what is exciting, and to leave something behind that will make a positive difference to someone has to be a good thing.