So I’ve been quiet on my blog lately and it’s not entirely due to laziness this time. I’ve had to be sneaky about my plans because my dad reads my blog (hi dad!) and we’ve been plotting a big surprise for him for his 60th birthday. My mum had organised for him to go back ‘home’ to Scotland from Canada and my brother and his girlfriend surprised him by being in the car on the way to the airport. Then I popped up in Glasgow the morning they all arrived. So the whole family is together and ready to ring in his 60th with the Scottish side of the family and a bunch of his old friends.
But that’s meant not talking at all about my plans for the next few weeks… and I’ve got a few! I arrived in London on April 6th, promptly restocked my dwindling clothes supply, met up with friends and headed out to a freebie Mama Mia showing before a few pints and a meal and a lot of catching up. The next day was spent killing my feet and getting sunburned after a pub meal and a stroll through Richmond Park with another friend. More catching up then some drinks along the Thames. My London visit was way too short and it reminds me just how much I love the city… when it’s warm and sunny!
My dad’s birthday isn’t until April 21st but I came to the UK early so I could pop over to Dublin to celebrate a good friend’s 30th on April 9th. I know her from volunteering and she’s part of the work hard, play hard crowd so I knew a weekend in Dublin would be messy, especially since a few other friends of ours were flying in for the event.
We rented an apartment in central Dublin for about 20 euro each a night and the thing was amazing. Penthouse, full kitchen, two bathrooms, a big livingroom for dancing, and a great view of the street below. We drank, danced, laughed a lot and I got caught up with some friends I hadn’t seen for awhile and was also reminded how much I love Ireland.
Now I’m in Scotland staying with my aunt and enjoying my home away from home. I love coming to Scotland… it feels very comfortable as I’ve been coming here my whole life. I’m looking forward to a week and a half of family time and a bit of Glasgow exploration.
Up next is NYC but only for a couple of nights. Just a super quick visit with a couple of friends before heading onto – where else? – Haiti! I’m hoping my 2.5 weeks there will get the place out of my system for the time being. I find myself thinking about it a lot and I’m also curious to see what sort of progress has been made there in the year I’ve been away. I know my organisation All Hands have done lots of great work but I keep hearing stories of shelter and school delays from friends I have working in larger NGOs. Bureaucracy is a bitch.
Then I’m off back to Rwanda, arriving back on May 21st. I’m already missing Kigali and looking forward to heading ‘home’. I’ve decided to stick around for the foreseeable future and that’ll mean getting involved in some volunteer work, taking French and guitar lessons and maybe even a bit of tennis. I’m planning on making my house a bit more homey and basically doing all those things that people who plan to live in a place for the long term do. I’m not sure how long term my long term will be… but it’s kinda fun to make some settled person type plans.
So that’s what I’ve been up to and what I have in store for the next month and a bit! I’ve had a great time so far and excited for what this trip has in store. As an added bonus, I’m hoping my time away from the internet will fill me with ideas and make me excited about working again.
I’ll be near Glasgow for the next week and a bit so if anyone is in the neighbourhood and wants to go for a pint, get in touch!
Nottingham is no where near Glasgow but if for some strange reason you find yourself near the land of Robin Hood, let me know and the drinks are on me
Happy travels!
I was hoping that you would not stop writing and now we all know why you were not writing much. Thanks for letting us know. Enjoy your dad’s birthday!
Kirsty – I’m surprised you’ll only be in Haiti for 2 1/2 weeks. Are you going back to the places you worked before? I still remember all the pictures of wheelbarrow loads of mud and rubble all around.
Good luck. I envy your globetrotting lifestyle!
How cool! We did something similar for my dad when he retired. The whole family met up in Edinburgh though it wasn’t a surprise. It was, however, my parents’ first time anywhere outside of North America. I’ll be coming to Scotland next week but I’m heading straight to Aberdeen for a night before going to Shetland for a week. Any chance to meet up?
@gary Ya I know, I’ve been lame lately, sorry. But I’ll get back to it. Especially now that I have abit more that I’m ‘allowed’ to say. But to be honest, things have been a bit quiet on the web front too. I’m expecting things to kick off again after this trip when I’m more motivated to work.
@10Minute I know. Haiti for 2.5 weeks is short for me. I tend to like to volunteer in long stints of 4-5 months. When I was in Haiti last year for 9 weeks, even that was short! My reasoning is that I thought I’d miss Kigali too much to be gone for months at a time. Plus I wanted to keep my place there. It’s turned out to be true and, to be honest, I’m really looking forward to getting back ‘home’ to Kigali. But, knowing me, that will change once I get to Haiti. I wonder if I’ll find it really hard to leave after just 2.5 weeks or if I’ll still be pining for Kigali. We’ll see!!
@keith Ah it’s a shame I’ll miss you. I’m back down to London on Easter then onto NYC and Haiti. Ya it’s been great spending time with the family and nice to have a chance to do stuff like this. It looks like my parent’s are planning a visit to Africa in February for my mum’s 60th so that’ll be good as well!
I’d like to get the most out of my time and money. What should I do once I get there. I’d like to see the countryside as much as possible. Is a tour group the best way to go or should I set off on my own?Thanks
You are always good on making your reader find it interesting to travel. How did you manage to get the necessary things you need especially internet connection when you travel? As an experience traveler you are, I hope you could write tips on how to travel such as booking flights, how to travel spending little cost, etc.
Hello Author,
I also like Scotland to spend holiday and its amazing place to spend time there.
Hi Kirsty
Sounds like you had a great time – hope your dad enjoyed it! Discovered the blog recently and already hooked so catching up on all the old posts!
Cheers
Helen