Introductions...

So, if you are reading this then it probably means you have some sort of interest in my travels this year, although if you have stumbled across it by mistake then that's fine too! 


This is a post of introductions; an introduction to me for you (if we haven't been introduced already), but also an introduction to 'blogging' for me. I have never had a blog before, but am heading off on a year's travels in September so wanted a relatively simple way to keep anybody interested in what I'm up-to, up-dated, so that's what this is! I can't promise to write with any sort of regularity, or really with any great frequency (my first priority being to actually do things to write about!), but I do promise to write when I can, and to include as much detail (including pictures) as I can, so that you get an idea of what I've been wondering at while I wander. 


In case you are a stumbler, or if I do know you but you need reminding about what this is all about,  this is my 'gap year'. I didn't have one before uni because, honestly, I didn't think I'd make it back, so after 3 years of English Lit. at Exeter, and one year working like crazy to save up some money, I am finally less than a month away from departure. This trip has been in the back of my mind for about 6 years, so it's a long time coming! Accordingly, I have a lot of ideas about where I want to go, what I want to do, and what I hope to get out of it. I am doing what I hope will be a good balance of volunteer projects and pure hedonistic travelling; for the first 6 months at least the balance between these two is about 50/50. I start off with a month teaching in a street school in Kolkata (India) with 'Inspire Volunteers' before a month travelling across India, then I move on to two months teaching Burmese refugees in Chiang Mai (Thailand) before a few weeks on the beach in the south of Thailand and a quick dash through Vietnam, Cambodia and Malaysia. Next it's across the Pacific for Carnaval in Rio and three months exploring South America, before crossing the Atlantic, arriving in Africa around May 2012. These latter six months are not planned yet - I think that in the spirit of a gap year I should allow some room for the wanderlust to take over without too much pre-planning! Although, if you do know me, you'll know how difficult that's been for me! 


As I said, a huge part of my trip intent-wise, time-wise and experience-wise is a few volunteer projects about which I am ridiculously excited. I have two projects booked (both involve teaching students who have little or no other chance at an education), and they are really close to me heart. I've been so lucky with lots of help fundraising for the two charities that I working with in India and Thailand, and special thanks has to go to Sir Thomas Picton School, Tempus Vocal Group and all those who supported my charity concert in Cheltenham. Once I'm all technologically set-up, I will put links on here to pages where you can donate to the causes I am supporting, and, hopefully, as you hear about the work I'm doing, you will feel you'd like to contribute. As a starter, you could check out the Inspire Volunteers and Cultural Canvas websites...then you'll get an idea of what it is I'll be doing. A huge thanks has to go to all those who have donated so far; hopefully this blog will give you an idea of where your contribution is going.  


Ok, I think that'll do for now. Hopefully you have an idea now of what I/this trip/this blog are about, and I have had an introduction to the blogging world (and have realised how time consuming it is when you start thinking about the fact that any Tom, Dick or Harry could be reading this!) 


I'll write again before I go, but for now I should get on with all the pre-departure boring bits and bobs that need doing - today is dedicated to visa application forms, oh joy! 


Camilla 
   x