HOME!! - 2 week holiday
on Kev in Tanzania (Tanzania), 24/May/2009 17:41, 34 days ago
So my big safari and suprose as most of you now know was my trip back to the UK. I bought my flights back in December when I decided going to my tutor groups prom and spending some time back in the UK was necessary! 7 hour bus journey, 10 hour flight, around£900 and 4000 miles but it was all worth it!I flew back on the 19th of May after spending a few days in Dar with friends and relaxing. Flight back to UK was great, the plane was half empty and I was able to watch 5 films back to back in comfort. Everything was smooth through customs and managed to get my bag with no fuss. Used my cash card to buy my train ticket to Southampton and met Mum and Dad at the station. It was so nice seeing them again.I wondered if I would be shocked to be back but actually it did not seem so different, possibly because I spent a few days in Dar or possibly because I have thinking about the trip back for soem time.It was lovely getting home and showing off some photos, had a hot shower and some nice home cooked food. Slept in a nice comfy bed - total bliss!Wednesday 20th MayWent to town to get some cash for Peter, buy a new digital camera and get Lubuva his dictator. Southampton has not changed at all and after checking my bank balance decided I had better cancel my mobile contract. In the afternoon, went with Dad down to the allotment to have a look around and see all the hard that he had been doing. I miss being able to garden with nice fertile soil!Thursday 21st MayWent to the bank today to talk about overdrafts as I did not think I had one but found out that I do so that was good news! At 2pm I caught the train to Keynsham as was going to meet up with the teachers before the prom. We met at the Brassmill (as we have for the last 3 proms) and it was wonderful to see Marina, Justine and I suprised Hannah who had no idea that I was coming back.After eating we went back to school and got changed into smart outfits. It was great seeing all my colleagues again and when the students arrived seeing their faces as they recognised me (even with the scruffy beard!) was priceless! I was so glad that I made the journey, I even got to see Mummy (Wendy) as she was outside and we gave her a ticket to get her in. She and Liz Dearberg was asking me for all the gossip especially about Liz!After the Prom some of us went to the lock keeper for a couple of beers before returning home for sleep. I was staying at Justines and we had some nice chats about the last 7 months and anything else that came to mind before going to bed.Friday 22nd MayToday the Broadlands lot still had school so I let Justine take me to school so I could chat to any staff that I missed at the prom and see some of the kids from years 8, 9 and 10 that I used to teach. There have been some nice changes around school and the canteen was so nice I decided to have a bacon sarnie for breakfast!I was able to catch up with all the staff I wanted to see, especially Ray who I know reads this. I also had the chance to chat to some of the year 10's about my experiences:Year 10 student:Where you been Sir?Me:TanzaniaYear 10 student:Wheres that to?Me:In East Africa, its quite rural sometimes I don't have water or powerYear 10 student:But you have a TV right Sir?Me:No, but I do have my laptopYear 10 student:(shocked) No TV! I could live without Eastenders...Me:You would be suprised what you can cope withoutYear 10 student:Is it hot there Sir?Me:Yes very, 10 hours of sun every dayYear 10 student:You ain't very sun tanned though Sir.It was great fun and helped to broaden some of their horizons.In the evening I went to Alan's house and after playing some 'guitar hero' on the wii went down to the Crystal Palace for some beers and to meet the others from Norton Hill. It was great to see Iffy, Claire and Niall again. I also got to meet some new staff I had not met before and went to 'Second Bridge' which is a club near the station in Bath. The only problem is that it was the end of A-Level exams so there were lots of young uns about (makes me sound old...)Got back to Alan's late and tried playing 'guitar hero' again, for some reason I was not as good or accurate...Saturday 23rd MayMet Marina and Hannah today and we went on a bit of a pub crawl (whilst playing the legendary sh*t head card game) in Bristol before stopping in Cabot Circus (new shopping mall) for a gourmet burger and then we watched 'Angels and Demons' whilst slightly drunk. It was so nice spending time with them again, I really had missed them! The cinema was super posh and you had your own adjustable seat. Pure bliss!Sunday 24th MayGot the train back to Southamtpon at 9am and met up with the family, it was really great to have everyone back together, both Grans came along with Aunty Wendy, Dan, Calum, Ethan, James and Jen. We had a Christmas dinner for lunch (as i missed the proper one) we then went to the park to play frisbee.It has been wonderful coming back and seeing all my friends and family, I am not at all worried about returning to Tanzania and finishing my placement, because all the support and encouragment you give me keeps me going. I want to say a big thank you!Take care and I love you all