Africa, here I come!!!!

So, it's almost time for my departure. I better write something now as I have no idea if i have time to do it during my last days here. I'm going to Malawi on Wednesday, so in just two days and all I'm missing is malaria medicine. Everything else seems to be in order. It feels like I could fly. I don't know what was the last thing I wanted so much in my life. I just take it as it comes, ready for happiness, dissapointments, problems, beauty, work, dreaming. I can honestly say that I'm open for everything that Africa will offer for me. Strange, as I havent been there and I even cant say that stories that people have told are so facinating and inspiring. I have dreamt about it since I was a kid and the dream never left me. I want to go without having everybody else's experiences to rely on, without other's stories in my mind. I just want to go as me- just as I was dreaming about it as a child. Free to have it all, free to have it my way, free to discover, free to feel.

For all who are worried and afraid- don't be as everything that can happen to a person somewhere where she is happy, is worth happening and all the downs are nothing next to the ups. I promise to take care as much as I can with everything, you should know me.

Taking all the love from family and friends with me- I couldn't do this without every single one of you. Hopefully I can write from time to time to let you know how it is going. Stay in touch!

Robin of Loxley

It has been a survival week. It started off pretty nice on Monday, when I drove off in the morning to repair containers at sites. Armed with sand paper, paint, paintbrushes, new stickers, some cloths and most important- two tomatoes, I was ready to fight with English weather, bad second gear in my van, rusty containers and people asking stupid questions.. like what are you doing. For the last one I started to reply like my music teacher... I'm riding a bicycle.

The day was fine, list of places to visit looong and I was hoping a bit that Torben kind of forgot the plan about sending me out with Gregor the next 4 days. But of course he didn't. In the beginning I was just a bit uncomfortable with the idea that I have to be English teacher on wheels.. means, we were supposed to collect clothes from containers together and we both can manage this alone, but he needed to practise English.

On Tuesday we drove off quite far North from here- to Preston and Blackpool. He was driving like a maniac- around 180 km/h and I wouldnt call him a talented nor experienced driver. And I constantly had to fight for the right to do something as well without being pampered all the f... time. I wasn't allowed to carry bags, open containers and heavens if I tried to lift the container door... this is not a woman's job, you know.. you go and make coffee or tea.... I wanted to kill him... but I need to keep my CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) papers clean. Hahaa. Anyway, we got back alive, I felt a bit seasick from his driving, but didn't say anything to the bosses. Of course I did ask him to drive normally, but what do women know anyway...

That wasn't the case the next day though... It was a nice place where we had to collect- in North Wales, but I was too terrified and horrified and my blue mark from the seatbelt felt uncomfortable enough, so I decided to let the cat out of the bag as I actually do like my life and I knew he wouldnt change his driving no matter how many times I asked.

I got what I wanted and the last two days I have been fixing containers again and where- around Sherwood forest and I was enjoying so much today the view in Loxley that I forgot where I had to go and I forgot that I forgot, so I was just driving and enjoying the view when I suddenly realised that I was supoosed to be working.. hmm, but where... and where was I... As I was near to the border with Gloucestershire, I had of course driven several miles over there, but as my working area was in Warwickshire, I had that map and Birmingham map only. Looovely, but that was the moment when rain stopped, sun finally came out and I couldnt care less. Feeling a bit like Robin of Loxley from Men in Tights (read: idiotic), but that was the best part of my day.

I suppose I will take a day off tomorrow, I've been waking up before 6 am for too long, getting tired. I miss people to communicate with. I mean normally, not just about containers and fundraising. I plan to buy a camera and would like to enjoy the process of getting it, but I guess I'll just get it done when possible and enjoy later.

Just a bit more.. and I'm in Africa anyway, where I'm sure I will enjoy! Until then, I keep discovering places in England (I'm sure there are not many of those left), practise painting and praying for good weather and if someone could tell me how on earth should I fill the Malawi visa application... It could as well be written in Chinese.. this bloody official English language...

Hugs!