I was told before I left that "sometimes the best life experiences need to be written down". Changing my style from work related note taking to a descriptive input from my senses seems strange, but here I go.
My diary starts on day zero... I'm still in London. In fact I'm at the airport 5 hours before my flight is due. Having taken advantage of a lift by a friend, I sit in the departure area, on my own with my bags in hand as its still two hours before the check in desk even opens.
At the airport much earlier than I need to be, but an acceptable price for a lift in a car. After a week at work, I should be resting and enjoying the weekend but I right now I feel tired. Strange as I slept well last night. I guess its just the week catching up on me.
I was out the night before, but home by 10pm which is out of character for my on a Friday night. I wasn't drinking but I felt I needed to see some friends, especially some I had not seen in some time. Once the alcohol had set in I knew I had to get my sober head out of there. I take a stroll up Regents Street with a little tear in my eye. I'm very happy and don't know why all of a sudden I got a bit emotional, I think it was the goodbyes and the support I got from my friends... but back to the diary.
I've had to wait at airports many times, but rarely on my own and rarely before check in. I keep looking at my luggage and wondering if I've forgotten something. I guess its just a bit of nervous excitement as I'm heading for unknown elements.
To settle myself, I go for a walk to some of the airport shops...
I've made another random purchase. Fox's boiled sweets, mint and citrus fruit flavours. It seems like years since I've bought sweets for myself. I guess though on this occasion I need them rather than want them.
My phone hasn't stopped. I've had more attention today than on my birthday and Christmas combined. I've got texts, phone calls, notifications from facebook and twitter. I think its amazing and its been great to catch up with distant friends and family. However, in a few minutes I'm due to meet some new friends. I'm hoping not to let the group down as a person who is a burden can ruin it for everyone. But of course, it could well be new friends for life!
I don't think there is much more that I could have done for training, and hoping the kit advice I've been given is the right advice. We will see.
I check in and after getting some food and a bit of window shopping, I head to the departure gate to wait some more.
I see familiar faces at the airport and make brief greetings to those I see with the 'charity challenge' luggage tags provided to us. I mostly wait alone though and play a guessing game with the passengers also waiting at the departure gate. I guess who looks the expedition type and who is duly wearing their hiking clothes as recommended by the joining instructions.
I am pleased that in my brief meeting with those on our group I can tell they share the same immature sense of humour and straight away seem like nice individuals. However, I mostly remain on my own and spend the flight trying to rest.
I then spend my time fighting with an on board entertainment system that doesn't work. Knowing the lack of personal space camping can bring, and knowing I still feel tired, I try to rest up in solitude. The flight through the night will see me awaken in a new country with a big day ahead.
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