Raspberry

Back in summer I had a seasonal job as a dragon boat instructor and lifeguard in the South of France for Acorn Adventure.

I lived in a tent for more than 3 months in the seaside town of Narbonne Plage and as much as I loved the place, the weather and the people, I could not go back there.

Working with kids for 24 hours is a hard task and I found myself stressed by the silliest of things.

Our days were filled with sessions on the water. talent shows, cleaning bathrooms, pitching tents, serving dinner with minimal time for sleep or sangria!

Did I mention the pay? It was shocking and really only pocket money so my plans to save in my gap year were ruined.

Mind you, the staff did manage to have fun, with whatever was lying around...

Recently, a few of my former work mates have suggested we all go back and work there in summer 2009 but I'm not a fan of doing things twice. I feel to repeat a season in the same place with the same people cold be a bit tedious and not live up to the fun I had this year.

It's tempting, because I know what to expect and already have a secure job, but I'd rather find somewhere new with a better wage.

Satsuma

I'm a wannabe surfer.

I've done a little was I was a teen; West Wales, Scotland and Croyde but I still crave the lifestle and vibe real surfers have.

So I applied to work in a surf shop.

Today I had a 'recruitment evening' at Quiksilver, my favorite surf clothing store.

It started at 7.30pm at the Regent Street store and promised to be an interesting evening.

First thing I realised was...I was the only Brit there! Nuts! My competition were Venezuelan, Russian, South African, Kiwi, Australian, French, the list goes on.

The staff took a Polaroid of us and then introduced themselves to us.

I loved being there, upstairs among the clothes hangers in the rustic surroundings, surf boards peeping from behind the displays

But I felt out of my league. I mean, it was only a part time retail assistant job I wanted and all of a sudden they wanted to know 10 things about each of us, our hates, likes and 'something random'.

My something random was "I'm a lifeguard" quite interesting and I hoped it would impress them because of the water sports aspect.

Then we were thrown into teams and asked to play charades with our favorite film. Ours was, well my team chose mine, so mine was Lion King.....

So, we depicted the scene where Simba's father is killed by the stampede in the gorge and Scar just watches. Crazy stuff but it went well, if a bit static.

After that the team's challenge was to dress one of the male staff for a night out in London.
So we ran around the store and picked out the best clothes, I loved it!

Overall, after question time, I had a great night even if it was not surfing Hawaii it was the London version, just to be in the presence of surfers was bliss.

Sultana

OK, so I may have mentioned my top 10 list. 10 places I'd love to visit in the world...maybe when I'm an earning travel journalist!

New Zealand is at the top of the list.

News today of a feature, specific to the Kiwis is a free video and photo diary set up by the tourist board.

The travel planner enables travellers to collect virtual memorabilia from their trip. All you do is upload photos, videos, travel route and other aspects you want to share.

The special features include;

• Scenic highlights
• Activities
• Accommodation options
• i-SITE visitor centres
• Transport options

Cool idea, but I do prefer the old-school way of keeping a diary. Paperchase, the stationary store do amazing travel journals that are good for keeping a note of your adventures.

In all honesty, you can record your memories anywhere, but I love the bright designs they have.

Does facebook count as a photo diary?

I also love scrap-booking, and have made a few from my time in America and South of France. I just love collecting napkins and ticket stubs from eventful days.

When I was young, my mother encouraged me to be creative on holidays so I made holiday diaries of camping trips and holidays away. I used to add crab claws from the beach and feathers I had put in sand castles....you could not find that much detail in an online travel planner!

Rhubarb

So 300,000 islanders are set to move from their home land because of stormy weather.


Madness! The Maldive president told the Guardian today that the islands are likely to disappear under the waves is the sea levels change due to the fast pace of climate change.


I've always thought of the Maldives as a honeymoon destination. Now I'm thinking twice about this fragile utopia.





Mohamed Nasheed, the Maldives' newly elected president said "We do not want to leave the Maldives, but we also do not want to be climate refugees living in tents for decades".


The dramatic decision to leave the traveller's paradise comes as 80% of its 1,200 islands are no more than 1m above sea level, thus making it inhabitable by the next 100 years.

It's a shame really. Know for it's long stretching beaches and never-ending sun, a holiday in the Maldives could be the best cure for the financial crisis because I've found trips for just over £100!

Quick Getaway

Lastminute.com have a deal from £115 a room in Port Louis. But who knows what you get for that price.

I think I'd prefer to volunteer. Education is poor in the Indian Ocean region and it would be a lot more fulfilling to help the under privileged.

Strawberry (Jam)

Christmas Travel?

Recently I've been getting spam mail from travel sites, including all amazing and helpful tips for places I've never thought to even read about.

Trek America were in touch today inviting me to book a Christmas holiday in Las Vegas....imagine?!

I have been to the 'city in the desert' but to spend my valuable three weeks off in amongst the glitz and glam, no. It could dry up my turkey!

I mean, it's not that Britain ussually gets the typical winter weather (snow) over the holiday, but I'd much prefer the cold evenings of home than the dry, scorching days of West Coast America.

Anyway, I'm a student, who struggles to pay for my Oyster Card, so there's no chance I can book a trans-atlantic ticket at the moment!

I did go to Egypt Sharm El-Sheik in 2006 the week before Christmas which was a surreal experience. I did take my best friend's boyfriend's place but it was worth the swap. We quad biked in the desert, swam in the red sea and got corn-rows!

I actually gained a stalker that holiday too! Only being there for a week, it cam as a suprise when a hotel entertainer 'fell in love' with me.

He offered 20 camels for me....I wasn't that keen really. I prefered relaxin in a bedouin tent with a shisha pipe!

In fairness, Egypt was a fantastic escape even if they don't sell beer!

Blueberries

Today the BBC covered the story of a man refused on a flight because his passport had be thumbed to much.

Fair enough, it was a Ryanair flight, so obviously you'd expect issues from the notorious low-cost airline.

But, I feel for the family.

They were due to fly from Bournemouth to Barcelona for a half-term holiday, probably in search of some sun but got stopped because his passport was 'worn'!

I'm sure Barcelona is a stunning city but maybe the family would've been better having a break in Bournemouth!

Banana

I know a fair bit about Iceland.

The recent economic hurdles many of our North European neighbours have come across highlight the extent of 'the crisis'.

I mean, who would have thought that the most affluent island in the North Atlantic Ocean would suffer in this epic recession?

Back to my knowledge of Iceland. Again, I have not been but from what my mother has described, when she represented Wales in an exchange programme in the 1970s, it's "beautiful and untouched".

She stayed in Reykjavik with host families and claims that it's not as 'icy' as one would think. That's a bit disappointing but when my brothers reported back after school geography trips all that they revealed in pictures were the natural hot springs and bikini shots of class mates!

Recently a good friend of mine has spent the last two summers working for an Icelandic conservation team, building paths and creating plantation areas in national parks. Adventurous stuff! She was paid pittance but as a geography graduate fancied a season in the barren wilds of Skaftafell.

Apparently, a weekend in Iceland is cheaper than ever since the crash of the markets. There's more Icelandic kronur to the pound so Christmas shopping could be creative this year, in Reykjavik!

Although, I have heard so much about the geographical side of the place from all the school and university trips my friends and family have taken, may be now is the time to take advantage of a Last Minute holiday?!

Dried Apricot

I miss Wales!

All this rain down here is repulsive. No surprise there then, I hate being soaked.
Somehow, I remember it's different in the Welsh countryside, even when it's pouring the hills manage to look inviting. I suppose it's all the grass...anyway, it got me thinking.

My homeland has a lot to offer. To get away to a different country, even if it's less than three hours away, the 'diff is easy. By train or National Express it's cheap from any English city and it is home to one of the greatest rugby teams (and the usual shops!)

Again, it's easy to escape to the countryside nearby or even the bay.

I actually love the National Museum especially the stuffed animals. I think the butterfly section was my favorite section when I was little. I'd always go with my brothers, sister , "passed the time" my mother had said and it was free!

Pear 2

Canada has reminded me of a book I was given a few years ago.

It's One Red Paperclip and it written by Kyle MacDonald, a real dude (I don't use that lightly!) who decided to swap smaller items for larger items where he eventually traded for a house. It was a mental scheme that he quickly became famous for, but he was "ready to go out into the world and help him find a job that would eventually get him a house" a situation I feel I am in, or at least think about once a day.

Kyle is from Belcarra, British Columbia, Canada and it's a place that probably isn't that impressive, but it seems to have created a legend, so I'd definitely visit.

This dude also has a brilliant blog.

Pear

A friend of mine is going to Canada. Not really sure why; maybe a holiday, stop off for a world tour, love interest? I ask all this beacuse HE hasn't told me! I just noticed it on his Facebook status...what a wuss.

Obviously I'm jealous and gutted, having to stay here in LDN and carry on wandering and studying amid the flat, un-imaginative streets of the South.

I shouldn't moan, I just know as soon as he walks off his plane (I'd be running!) he'll be hit with an overwhelming sight of mountain and water... just look at the rugged scene, I can almost smell the fresh pines from here!

This is a place where there are just two seasons, winter and summer....perfect for anyone who is a raging season-worker, hopping from a job on the Mediterranean coast to the slopes of Whistler.

I guess in Canada you can do both.

My dream would be to sea-kayak on the North Atlantic, canoe down a salmon river in summer and simply snow mobile up and down the mountains.

It all sound so easy, but in order to fund these extravagant activities would mean a job. Journalist or not, I'd be happy being a waitress in a French-Canadian bar.

Coconuts

Recently, I've been hearing a lot about Thailand, not a place i normally fantasize over.

But I cannot give a good reason why I never been enticed by the beach elephant rides and lagoons....so very me!

Meeting up with a few of the males in my family, plus a new girlfriend, at the weekend and all I heard about was Thai travel experience and 'Full Moon' party from the charming Russian my brother presented to me....we did have a great night though and the wine did help me fall in love with this Buddhist island. From the descriptions of the turqoise sea and spicy food, that night, I tried to imagine myself there.

And I can!

Actually, my weekend conversations had such an impact, when I got home I chatted on at my housemates about this travellers paradise and it turns out they spent three weeks there this summer too!

When I asked what the people were like one of my mates can only remember little Thai men saying "You pay one million dollar if you want slow" when she rode a tuk-tuk, I'm guessing that's the fast way to get around then....ha!

What I've gathered from my Thailand-esque chats with all these ladies is that currency is know as Bhat out there, they all love their King and wear a different colours to respect him and Koh Samui or 'Costa del Samui' is a place to avoid, for obvious reasons!

I definitely need to find out more, so for now I can add it to My Places To Go list (when I have money and decide a car is not a priority) just below New Zealand and above Mexico.

Garden Apples

Note: Although the theme of this has changed (I've decided to concentrate on travel and avoid long blurbs on my loose, unproductive thoughts) fruit will still be the sort of subject or, even just the title.

So...hint: I picked an apple from the back garden today and that's it, no more of Garden Apples!

Anywho, what about Canada? It's definitely a trip I'd take in the future. It seems like a more cultured and balanced America. With incredible mountains and National Parks. This appeals, purely for the skiing and ridiculous views.

Vancouver strikes me as the place I'd fly to first. I suppose it's the immense backdrop of the mountain range set against the ocean, complete with a city set in the middle! Described as "the Great Outdoor Playground", can I still really get away with just hanging-out in a foreign clime?

I'll try, when the price is right!

Marmalade

So, things are a bit sticky at the moment, the credit crunch is dominating everything I read or glance at so I've fast been searching for something uplifting to comment on. Well....not comment on, just ponder. Therefore I aim to scrap my trivial thoughts and focus!

Focus on Travel

Again, I'm using Stephen Fry as my virtual mentor and like my previous blog, his "six-month holiday at the BBC's expense" in America still excites me.

His 50 state adventure is now in book form, wonderful! I see brilliant potential for post-university drifters like me. Effectively, Mr. Fry has allowed us to carry on exploring the globe, like we have been doing for most of our educational career.


Sadly, I never joined the 'Gap-Year' crew. Getting lost in deserts and finding yourself in a rain forest does appeal, yet I've not had the real time, gumption, or copious amount of money to fuel a trip...yet!

Excuses

I did, take a three month instructing summer-job in Maryland, which was obviously fun and 'rad', and all that but it doesn't beat a good 12 months as a farm-hand, herding sheep in New Zealand does it?

Recently, it's felt a little too late (now that I'm a graduate and going for a Masters) to wander around a remote Asian island....alas, I feel my passion for new places has been revived by my favorite, satirical genius!

American Idiot?

Having travelled a tiny bit of America after my summer-job, mainly via Greyhound buses, I saw the East Coast. It was, quote "awesome" and although I was one of a thousand-or-so Brits, sent by Camp America to represent the UK, I honestly found it a great time of year to get away and experience work and travel in a completely new continent. There were places that could have been mistaken for suburban Manchester, complete with far too many houses, smatterings of thug-like youths and not enough grass.

I guess I'm not that original in my quest for new and exciting places to visit or work, but it does beat that unfulfilled feeling when you hear of another friend literally jetting off the radar, newly TEFL qualified to teach English to a deserving, Ethiopian school.

I actually strive to add photos of outlandish activities, like the above, to my scrapbook.

The Cranberries

I realized this morning that I really do 'let it linger' with thanks to the Cranberries (also my breakfast!) I know it's sombre but I can't help feeling that a lot is left unsaid.

I take for granted that most errands can be run at the end of the day, conversations can be left until the weekend, but that only causes the prolonged agony of never knowing an outcome. I guess I'm just a 'zoner', as one co-worker in Maryland once called me! They just love labels, those Americans.

My favorite Cambridge comic, Stephen Fry seems to enjoy it stateside. I'm glad he back on our screens in all fairness...not just for the tea but to explore a place that still fascinates me, not for the flamboyant politics, but just it's landscape and massive meal portions!

Maybe I could agree with Mr. Fry when (I can imagine he exclaims) "I was so nearly an American".

Dried Bananas

I'm tired today. Short-hand is a foreign language to me and I've already given up...it's taken me all day to find the strength to write, that's how drained I am!

Enough already! Sir Ian Blair has resigned from the Met.?! Incredible, and it's because he didn't have backing from, my favourite, Boris Johnson. Apparently there was not enough backing from the London Mayor, a suprising find whilst I was munching on my Fruit and Nut Bran Flakes this afternoon. Speaking of nuts, why has it taken him so long to step down? And, why is he blaming Mr. Johnson? It is understandable that he needed his support, but Mr. Blair had a great and taxing job that requires focus, not passing blame.

I do hope that next time I wake up late, I can muster up enough sense and energy to realise that all is not lost now that our chief has left. Management changes constantly world wide, I just hope whoever is next to take control can see eye to eye with Mr. Johnson and look beyond his banana top!

Apple

Yesterday I backtracked and wrote about our friends Stateside.

Today, I'm over the Big Apple and find myself intrigued by the Tories.

Although the U.S. seem to be finding their feet again, financially, we, the British feel there is more to our crisis than statistics, and that it is our character that needs to change.

According to the BBC news website today, David Cameron has emphasized, "To rebuild our economy, it's not more of the same we need, but change." I completely agree with this simple statement. As a leader, Cameron has pointed out (for those who missed the memo) that our whole thinking needs to differ in order for our spending and investing to settle down.

Of course, I realized the obvious many years ago; the more I save, the more I work, the easier it is to become sensible with the green.

Ha, but University completely changes that 'safe' mentality and I have found myself being horrendously extravagant for my employment status - borrowing student!

I have a lot to think about for the rest of this wonderfully, windy Wednesday so I'm out.

A Fruit-Loop Moment

Earlier today, during my Journalism Skills class, I was reminded of the day New York was targeted, as an act of terrorism.
The 9/11 attack which began with an areoplane colliding into one of the Twin Towers, in New York was presented to me in class as an exclusive short clip, enlarged on a wall above me.


What an odd feeling that came over me as I watched the lives of so many, literally fall apart. The Big Apple, as I'd never seen it before.
7 years on, and I still feel the eeriness, even simply as I watch the cameraman focus on the dusty hollow streets.


Of course I remember seeing some of this harrowing footage back on 11th September, 2001 recorded by various news programmes but this particular video closely showed the debris and dust gushing through the streets, in a way that felt very new to me.


Having to analyze such a piece of history, so raw, is a huge task as I've come to learn the back-ground of the video and where it derives.


Strangely, the video is owned by a private company and asks an incredibly large price. This is madness to me as, surely such a devastating event should be accessible for all. For instance, a range of film frequents YouTube and we comment on it freely. I am not suggesting that the clip I saw should be posted on a video-sharing sight, this could cause unnecessary pain across the board, but sharing this video with fellow journalists and media savvy, could effectively;

• educate
• introduce a new idea of commentary
• inform those unaware of the event
• enable other such videos to be used pro-actively, not detrimentally.

Oranges

Welcome, one and all.

Here you will find out my colourful thoughts on the world, as I know it.

I will start with the fruit in my leather satchel today; it's an Orange!

I think this is a great start to my blogging days, because like me, the Orange is filled with goodness, has a wonderful dimpled texture on the outside and has juicy segments hidden inside, that if left, dry up easily.

I digress, here I am, getting to grips with the MacBook Pro (also worrying about the whereabouts of the Safari icon) I've been lent in my Journalism Skills class, talking of fruit and what it means to me. Shouldn't I be more worried about the financial world and how it is affecting me? I'm a student! Everything affects me, even if I didn't buy a newspaper today, the world is still creating these incredible stories that I'm missing out on but feel the need to comment on.

I'm sorry I have no gems to dazzle you with today, however, if you enjoy an Orange today watch out for the juice!