Aug 2005

Friday (August 26th)

It's my last day at work today!!!
Crazy.

My bosses took me out for lunch, fancy sushi restaurant, yummy!

They kept on telling me how much they appreciate what I've done, how efficient and well-organized they think I am, how much they are going to miss me, etc. etc. A bit of exaggeration maybe but nvertheless, the greatfulness and tribute felt good!

Best of all - I can leave work early today!

So I'm just going to clean out my desk and return my borrowed cell phone, and the laptop of course... And then I'm off!

A week from now, I'm in Venezuela somewhere...

Wednesday (August 31st)

This is it. The train to Copenhagen Airport leaves in less than 3 hours. The backpacks are packed (!), almost bursting, we have said our farewells, and now we're beginning to feel nervous.

Goodbye, Sweden! Goodbye, friends and family... And hello, World! Hello, adventure! Hello, heavy backpack, aching back and feet... But most of all: Hello, South America, with all your stunning nature and exciting culture!

There's no going back now...

//Susanna

It is so hard to concentrate on my job now...
I try, I really do. But I keep drifting away, spending hours and hours surfing numerous travel sites, or photography sites... On the other hand, I actually don't have that much left to fix. The big exam is on Monday - will they obtain the environmental certificate or not... *drum whirls and excitement* Well, it's not really that exciting. I think they will.

Bought malaria pills yesterday. Check. Have bought a hammock. Check. Have booked a hostel for our first night in Caracas. Check.

But even though my mind is already travelling, my body is still in Sweden. I took it (i.e. my body) out for a run the other day. For once, the rain wasn't pouring down - it was actually quite nice weather and extraordinarily good light for photographing, so a sudden idea made me bring my camera with me on the run... I'm not sure how much exercise I actually got, but it was great fun!!!

Horse closeup

People stared at me when I was getting intrusive with animals of varying sizes, but what the heck...

Bumblebees

It was a useful experience, this photo run. Haven't really relized how beautiful my everyday environment is! Almost makes me wonder why I want to travel so far away... But I want to travel! I do! I didn't say I don't want to! I'm super excited about going to South America - we have been planning this trip for almost a year now. I only mean that it all made me appreciate what I've got here, right now... I'm a very wise woman

Horses and sunset

Even though I think a lot about the journey, I can't really imagine what it will be like. I mean, I'm perfectly able to conceptulize the airport, the flight, the arrival in Caracas, maybe even the first few days, being jetlagged and fascinated at the same time. But then what?!?! ...no matter how hard I concentrate, I just don't get any pictures in my head! Seven months of travelling, seven months of holiday, adventure and leisure - it's just impossible to grasp!!!

Red plant

I suppose I just have to be satisfied with the pictures I have from my run, and enjoy the present time, right now. Still 8 more days to work...

//Susanna