Daily Archives: August 10, 2015

Bon voyage, Packing, Reflection, Rwanda

LANDING IN KIGALI

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05th July 2015 – 8:44

I usually think that a picture can speak for itself.

image imageWhat a lovely sunny day and a beautiful clear blue sky!

Maybe a little bit tricky to accommodate all those suitcases in 2 trucks plus 16 teachers from Scotland in 4 cars at Kigali airport, Rwanda. Everybody was very excited, maybe a little anxious of what would happen next.

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Yes, it is time for a pause and a pose while my first shot is taken in Kigali. I managed to carry a world map all the way from Aberdeen to Kigali without losing it. 

My husband has observed – “You have carried the world half way around it  haha…”

My friend Anne Goldie also said – “got your map ready…”

Yippee! I have made it!

Bon voyage, Reflection

SURVIVING AIRPORTS AND AIRPLANES

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5th July 2015 – 7:55

LONG FLIGHT

Sleeping well on a long flight is never easy for me. However, I always hope to meet interesting people while  flying abroad. A good chat is always welcome.  But this time my KLM flights were very quiet from Aberdeen to Amsterdam, then Nairobi and finally Kigali.

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A GOOD SEAT

I am aware that not all airplane seats are the same, but the best place for me is an aisle seat. It means that I can stretch my legs, go for a walk or to the toilet any time I want without disturbing anyone.

TEMPTING MEAL

I have to confess that  I cannot ignore a meal on long flights and this one in particular carried a taste of African flavour, slightly spicy, but I really enjoyed it.

ENTERTAINMENT

The long flight was smooth and I could watch 3 films; Black and White, The Water Divine and Fifty Shades of Grey. In fact, the last one I could not finish watching it due to the time remaining. Anyway, it is always something I enjoy doing when flying long distances.

 

Bon voyage

AMSTERDAM AIRPORT SCHIPHOL

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4th July 2015 – 18:37

This is the GLP cohort July 2015 at Schiphol airport in Amsterdam.

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From top right to left:

John Steel, Rachel Hardin, Joyce Ng, Adam Douglas, Tim Whimster, Pamela Scott, Audrey Ross, Emma Gilmour and Christine Beard.

Down left to right:

Gill Moffat, me (Suzel O’Donnell), Suzzane Munro, Laura Ince, Jacklyn Smith, Hollie Shearer and botton Jenny Cawdron.

BON VOYAGE!

Packing

ABERDEEN AIRPORT

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4th July 2015   –   12:23

Having been away on holiday a few times every year, I think I have learnt how to pack. I always pack too much!

WHAT WOULD I DO DIFFERENTLY?

It was an exercise of what I should or should not take with me to Rwanda. I was very concious of my suitcases’ weight and how they could be heavy and difficult to be carried from one place to another while travelling in the country. It is wise to be aware of some issues that you can face and how to avoid them whem it is possible. So, I tried to pack carefully and light, but taking enough pieces of clothes for 30 days. Consequently washing would not be needed. Of course I am also taking some teaching  resources, which hopefully will be useful in the school I am going to have my work experience.

WELL, I THINK I AM READY!

I am taking a medium and a hand suitcases which I will dispach to be collected in my destination, Kigali the capital of Rwanda. I am also taking two hand- free bags; a spotty black and white backpack to carry my personal belongings, and a long strap purse cross-body style. Certainly they will hold essential items and will allow hands-free freedom.

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It is my lovely husband who is taking me to the airport in Aberdeen and who I will miss everyday.

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Reflection, Rwanda

MY JOURNAL

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I am supposed to write a journal about my experience in Rwanda. However I am not so sure if I know how to do it. It seems to me that a journal is like a diary as the entries can be daily. So, I hope my written activities summarise my most intimate thoughts, which will help me to keep myself on track of all the events that have impressed me or in some way have had  an impact on me.

In fact, the main objective of this blog is to bind things together and bring alive a memorable trip to Rwanda, July 2015.image