23rd March, and things are moving forward!
Only 2 days to go and I am happy to report that Graeme has finally packed!
We have also got our currency sorted. When you are buying your holiday cash, it is always worth shopping around to get the best deal. I usually use H&T pawnbrokers, as I can order the cash online and then call into their high street store to collect ( I am always a bit nervous of having cash delivered through the post). The staff in Wallsend are lovely too. This time however, I used Euro change. They have a kiosk in Newcastle's Eldon Square, next to the entrance for M&S. They were the only local store I could find that sell Peruvian Sol, which I had to order. It only took a few days for the cash to arrive in store. As we are away for some time, we really didn't want to carry a lot of cash, so decided to get a pre paid cash card- which we loaded dollars onto to spend in Ecuador and Galapagos. We also bought some dollars in cash, asking for small denominations- as we will need to get a bus and buy food when we arrive. It's a good idea to do this, as you don't want to be pulling out big notes at a bus stop and it's highly unlikely the driver would be able to change a large note. It is never a good idea to be flashing big notes in local shops, especially if you are not part of an organised group.
Also, check cards are suitable for where you are going. We decided to also buy euros as can now spend these in Cuba. The cash card we bought, we could have loaded Euro's onto too- but we would not have been able to use it there! The card is through Master Card and due to the trade embargo from America, you can not use any bank cards linked to American banks when in Cuba. Euro change had the best current exchange rate for Euro's and dollars too. Make sure you take photo ID when you go change or collect cash!
We actually had a lot of difficulty with the Cuban part of our trip. Our preferred travel agent Trail finders, were unable to book independent flights to Cuba as their booking systems wouldn't allow it. I had to search the internet to find a way to do this myself. Then our bank withheld our payment to our Cuban hotel. We had to provide evidence for the bank re where we were going in Cuba, and had a number of contacts with the bank before they would release the funds. It was very frustrating as we were fearful we would lose the hotel we wanted- it will be Havana's busiest weekend of the year when we arrive, as May Day is a huge deal to the Cuban people and tourists alike.
If you want to know more about the US embargo, you can get info here-
https://cuba-solidarity.org.uk/information/facts/
We have also had a zoom meeting with a lovely lady called Alexandra, whom we will be working with in Ecuador, and it was great to hear what activities we can get involved in and what to expect. We also discovered there will be 2 school groups of 14 year olds staying at the site when we are there. Some people would be horrified by this, but I am actually really looking forward to it. I have worked with teenagers my entire adult life, in a variety of settings, until last year, when I switched to working with the elderly. 10 years ago we spent our honeymoon ( which we had before the wedding) in Dharamsala, Hamanchi Pradesh in Northern India. It is a village in the valley below McLoud Gange at the foot of the Himalayas, where the Dalai Lama lives. We visited his house a couple of times, but sadly he wasn't home, so I didn't get to have a cuppa and a chat! He may have heard there was a gobby Geordie in town and hid behind the sofa until I left- who knows! We did explore the grounds and spend time in the temple with the Buddhist monks. There is also a Tibetan museum in the grounds, which was very informative and upsetting. Seeing video and hearing real life accounts of the attrosities that happened to the Tibetan people was very moving. I had no idea prior to this. We were in India for 6 weeks, working in a pre school centre in the mornings, preparing new classrooms in outlying villages in the afternoons and teaching English to local children of all ages in the evening. We taught in a room at the house of the mayor of the village. His elderly mother constantly complained about noise. One full wall of the house was open, so we were constantly observed by parents & neighbours. We even had various animals interrupting our lessons. It was great fun! At weekends we travelled to interesting sites, tourist attractions and exploring the country. We had a fantastic guide, Vaneet Chowdry, whom we are still in touch with. Let me know if you are planning a trip to India and I'll pass on his contact details.
India is a fascinating place, but was truly an assault on the senses. There is extreme wealth alongside extreme poverty and the class system is very evident. I have always struggled with injustice and found this very difficult.
The trip, however, was amazing and the Sikh Golden Temple was awe inspiring. We were lucky enough to go behind the scenes and experience the volunteers working in the kitchens, who feed thousands of people each day. It was a sight ( and fabulous smell) to behold.
Volunteering is a fantastic way to see a country, meet the people and experience life there. I am very excited for our next volunteering adventure.
We have had a manic few days, I spent time out with family, celebrating my son's birthday, as I will be away travelling on the day. I always love to spend time with him. He has a dry sense of humour and cracks me up sometimes. We stayed out later than everyone else and it was good to have him to myself.
We have also had major breakthroughs in terms of the safeguarding issues for our Uncle, and can now rest easier knowing he will be cared for whilst we are away. This is a load off my mind and I am hopeful we may even get a good night's sleep at some point. It has been a hard slog to get this far. I have had my head in my hands so many times over the last few months and have written lengthy emails to or visited in person, just about every possible agency that works with older people. I am tired now. We were due a lucky break and finally got one, in the form of a stupid lie from the neighbour! Her greed clouded her judgement and she made a mistake when challenged. The police were suddenly interested at last.
My health is not great at the moment. I am having a ME/ CFS flare up, so feel pretty dreadful. I have managed to get an appointment to see a GP for antibiotics on Saturday, so hopeful I will start to improve in terms of the infection I have- just in time for the flight early Sunday! I can't get my lashes done though, as still have conjunctivitis. The ointment I have is giving me blurred vision, but it's a small price to pay. My scabby nose is now on the outside as well as the inside, so I am currently resembling one of the marine iguanas we want to see! I do not have the time, energy or inclination to get my hair done now, or anything else for that matter! I am completely exhausted. This is not the position I wanted to be in for such an action packed trip. I am so glad we added extra time throughout to allow me to rest & hopefully recharge.
Speak soon,
Caroline
Here's a link to our Galapagos part of the trip!
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