Back in the Big Smoke

So after a few hard weeks of partying followed by a couple of weeks job hunting I have landed myself a gig in London's Charring Cross as a Project Consultant. Last week was my first week back to work I over a year, and all things considering it wasn't too painful.
I love being in The City and the fact that the sun was shining for me, helped... A lot!
Ask me again at the end of this week, and maybe things will be different, at least it's a 3 day week?!

I still feel like I am away a little bit seeing as I have had a friend from Oz staying with me for the past week... ('Hey Scottie')... Gonna miss him now that he's moved out :o(

The bank holiday weekend was fantastic.... went to Brighton with Scott to hang out with my lil sis, and also managed to hang out with Rob (also and Ozzy) who I met in Rio.... was sooo nice to see them both.

Back to work tomorrow...it's pretty interesting and the people are great, hopefully I get to travel too...

Not much else to report, guess I will give you an update when life gets a little more interesting.

Till then

xx

Not much to Report

So I thought nothing would change while I was away?!

Well, it has and it hasn't. It's nice that all my friends are still around and that I have had ample oppertunity to hang out with them... The joy of being unemployed lol
But since I have been away pretty much all of my friends have moved, bought houses, got engaged or even married or had babies!!! I mean thats important stuff!!!
It feels like everyone is growing up and for the first time in my life
I am jobless, homeless, partnerless and pennieless all at the same time. Back to square one, but I guess this my oppertunity to recreat myself.

Watch this space... lol

On a lighter note have to say what a fantastic time I had at Pykie's leaving do (Good luck in Ibiza) and another one of Laura Harris' Ledgendary House Parties.

You can check out the pics on Flickr.

It was soooo nice seeing all those old faces again.

Till the next installment...

x

Finally the Shout Outs

Ok so I don’t even wanna try and guess as to how many awesome, interesting, crazy and beautiful people I met over the past year, but I know that my trip would not have been the same without you all!... Each and every single one of you… You are great and I miss you. I learnt sooo much from you and I can’t get over how kind and generous you have been to me… How will I ever repay you?! The year had had it's up's and down's, well mainly ups, but I couldn't have done it without you.
I can only hope and wish that our paths will cross again some day… and I promise that I will try my best to pay your kindness forward.
I wish I could thank you all personally, but to mention just a few…

J, Adam, Bill & John, Angelica & Michael, Michael C, Chris Y, Terry & The McLeod’s, The Batterman's, The Prasad’s especially Komil, Misha, Damon & Eugene, Jess & The Folks, Shannon & Cain, Anita and The OC Girls, Brad, Frank, Lander, Reza & Ilhan, The Brizzy Gang, Mick, Claudio, Offa, Shan & Simon, The Brizzy Girls… Mel & Miranda, Jo & Kirsty, Dutch Barry, Jason L, Kyal, Lee C, Con & Linda, Mam, Dom, Sarah, Rich, Eurgen & Igoul, Greg & Eman, Kent & Jamon, Dave G, Amber & Ravi, The Master Divers Gang, Katie & Katie, Fort Street Gang, Steve, Dom, Antz, Alex, Chris, The Airely Beach Boyz, Dane, Matt G, The Cairns Pro Dive Team, Joel, Ross and The Hat Rin Gang, Dyls, Cary, Mark, Freddie, AJ & Em, The Green Tortoise Family… Simon, Pete, Warren, Aaron, Andy, Blake, Elton, Julie, Lisa, Cam, Ric, Andy etc… Kiwi Experience Crew, Stray Bus Peps, Chrissy, Clay, JP, Natalie, Brendan, Michael M, Johan, Claudio, Uncle Charlie, Lucy, Rocio & Danni, Andy & Smiles, Alton’s Team, Alex, Tad, Jenny, May & Daniel, Gili Gang, Megan, Becky, Will & Dave, Rob, Tim G, Ferg, Natalie & Pen, Ollie & Luke.

Most importantly I would like to Thank

Sean and Jesse without whom I would never have been able to complete my trip
Hok for singing me to sleep
Charlie for his inspiration
Tom for his support
Shane for his enthusiasm
Alex for always being there
My mum and sis for missing me so
Michael for being my strength and
J for always being a friend and fantastic travel buddy

And to those of you, whom I have not mentioned, don’t worry … I will NEVER forget.

Take care and keep in touch

p.s. I will try and keep the blogg up to date, but let’s face it, it won’t be the same from London.

Back with A vengeance

That’s right I’m back and let me tell you it’s been one hell of a week!
I couldn’t have come back at a better time, Bank Holiday weekend and it’s been innnnnsane, what with The Boat Race, BBQ’s and Reunions topped off with some amazing British weather.
I have to confess hat it’s awesome to be back.
I missed my friends and family including the new additions that I hadn’t even met yet!
Ok so there’s been a few surprises, a couple of house moves, a few number changes, some more weddings and even babies, but I’m pleased to see that some things will never change and that my friends are still as crazy as ever!
I’m living back at home which I know is NOT cool, but it’s cheap and nice it’s nice to be able to spend tie with my mum and sis… for now anyway.

I think I’m gonna ease myself back into the work scene very, and I mean very gently… Not even gonna think about doing anything of the sort (work that is) until next month… Don’t wanna sound like a princess, but I still have loads of people that I need to catch up with and even then I think I will acquire a bar job 3 days a week over the summer well, I don’t want to over exert myself, besides I wanna enjoy the sun… I know, I know, like I didn’t get enough over the year?!

From beautiful, sunny London City

xx

p.s. Will get some pics up asap

Going out with a Bang

My last couple of days in Rio were.... How can I put it... bloody fantastic... fantastic but messy none the less...

Almost missed my flight... after trekking up Sugar loaf Mountain and hangliding over Rio and hitting the biggest street party in Brazil, I was beat, not to mention drunk as a lord and subsequently completely hungover... All in all the best 2 days of my life.

I managed to get a great team of people together to paint the City red with, and even convinced a few people to jump off a cliff with me!!! It was great... The hangliding that is... something that I have always wanted to do and a great way to end my trip. The street party was insane... soo many people, sooo many bars, and toooo many drinks.

I'm going to be sorry to say goodbye to Rio, it's been a great place. I was apprehensive about coming here because of what I heard about the crime but after being here I would recommend it to anyone... It's completely safe as long as you keep your wits about you, stick to the policed areas, travel in groups and don't get completely drunk and provoke boyz into play fighting with you and hitting you in the arms as hard as they can.... hmmm... I wonder who did that...???!!! wooops... check out the photos if you wanna see the damage... It's not as bad as it looks... besides you should have see the state of the other guy... honest... lol

Anyway guess the next place that I'll catch you from is home....?!!!

From Rio

xx

Where Music and Passion were always the fashion

I have left the bright lights of Sao Paulo City for the beautiful beaches of Rio, more specifically I am currently residing just off Copacabana Beach... Probably the most famous beach in the world...!?

The past few days have been rife with Favella parties, Beach parties, Hostel parties and almost but not quite a boat party... have to wait to see what becomes of that.

I have also been trying to do the touristy thing, hiking, seeing the sights and have at least managed to go and see the big guy himself... Christ The Redeemer.

Rio is beautiful, everything about it is beautiful... even the graffiti here is beautiful... Unfortunately it isn´t always safe to carry a camera around so I have had to invest in a classic wind up for and have been taking most of my photos in Brazil with that... That means ALL of my photos from Sao Paulo too... guess you´ll have to wait for those ones.

Anyway not quite sure what my plans are for the rest of the week... causing mischief (which I seem to have picked up a reputation for doing...???... me...??? ;o)... never!!!) and generally trying to relax... maybe catch a footy match and I hear there is a street party in Rio somewhere this weekend so should be hittin´ that.

Will update you with all the details later...

Oi Oi Oi from Rio

x

Bueneeeeesiomo Buenos Aires

Have spent the past 4 days wondering around this vast city trying to get to know it as well as I can in the short amount of time that I have... No easy feat I can tell you! It´s bloody huge... It´s been made easier though by the fact that Dani, Rocio and Lucy have been here to help me out. I´ve had soooo much fun hanging out with the girls from Central America. We have been having a ´few´Argentinian drinks together and loads of great food... honestly the food here is amazing!!!

Apart from that not much else to report... great hostel, wicked weather, brilliant company, fantastic shopping... what more could a girl ask for apart from a slight cold all´s well in Sity´s world

Chio for now

xx

Inca`d Out

It`s official...

I am hardcore...

Got back to Cusco from the 4 day Inca hike yesterday and have pretty much been awake for about 28hrs, well, The Trek Team had to celebrate it`s victory.

I have been told that I am pretty tough by other people that have done the trek because I carried my own pack instead of paying a porter to carry it for me... well, I just didn`t feel right getting someone else to carry my stuff for me. I have to admit though that the hike was probably the single most hardest thing that I have ever done, what with the altitude sickness and the hours of uphill steps, I wasnt`t sure if I was going to make it, I would never have given up thiough, even if it killed me... It was oh so worth it... Machu Picchu was breath taking.

I`ve managed to get some photos up now, so you can take a look if you like.

I`m off to Argentina today to celebrate St Patrics day in style and hang out with the girls in Buenos Aires

Guess I`ll catch you from there

xx

Lake Titi… What?

Peru is beautiful… a mixture of snow capped mountains, rivers, lakes, rolling hills and flat nothingness… What I love most about it is that it seems to have escaped much of the westernization that I have seen in many parts of rural Central America, and ´yes´ even though some places do put on ´The Show´ for the tourists, many people still live as they used to before Westernization took over

I took an overnight trip to Lake Titicaca… Although the lake itself was nothing to write home about the journey there and the lakes inhabitants made the 6 hr trip completely worth while.

It’s amazing to see how the indigenous people actually live out on the lake on floating islands made from reeds. Words can’t really begin to describe this unique colony.

I’ll try and get some photos up as soon as possible… Won’t be fore a while as I am embarking upon the 4 day hike also known as ´The Inca Trail´ to Machu Picchu tomorrow morning at 6am… Wish me luck I hear that it is grueling.

Guess I’ll chat to you again after the hike… if I make it back??!!

From Cuzco

xx

Miami Vice

I knew I was in trouble the moment I set foot in my hostel dorm room.
I was greeted by 2 English lads that were getting ready for another wild night out on the town.

Call me naive, but I didn’t realize that it was Spring Break… I haven’t experienced anything like that for quite a while… If you like getting completely ´dispatched´ as Luke (English lad no. 1) would say, watching people strip and hanging out on the beach all day nursing a hangover, Miami during ´Spring Break´ is just the place for you!!!

3 days was enough… Me, Luck and Ollie (English lad no. 2) spent our time… well drinking mainly to be honest, but also recruiting any possible victims to the cause. We made a lot of friends and even managed to get ourselves invited to a Victory Secret party… which I hasten to add we never made it to.

Anyway after hitch hiking to Miami International and a grueling 30 hr journey, I made it safe and sound to Cuzco, Peru.

See Ya Later Miami
xx

Farewell Friend

As I prepare to leave Panama City (did the touristy thing in Panama City... Canal, City tour... you know how it is) and Central America for that matter to head to Florida, Miami, I reflect back on the past 8 weeks with nothing but fond memories. Through the good and bad times (and believe me its had its ups and downs) I have been accompanied by some fantastic people. From Mike in Mexico to Hok in El Salvador to The Boyz the rest of the way.
I wish I could mention all the great times (but there have been too many) and all the people that I have had the pleasure to encounter.. you know how you are, and all the people that have helped me through the good and bad times. I will miss you dearly. I hope that we will meet again in the future.
I am going to miss Central America, for the people the culture and the diversity, but am really looking forward to the next and final leg of my journey... Florida for a quick break and then on to South America.

Guess I'll catch up with you guys in Florida

From Central America Over and Out

xx

Picturesque Panama

From what I have seen of Panama so far, it is stunning. Unlike the mountainous beauty of Honduras the waters surrounding Panama´s Caribbean Islands of Bocas Del Toro are pristine.

13 of us set out from Puerto and after many hurdles and our final hairy Central American boarder crossing and a very ´cozy´ colectivo we made it to Bocas. From the 13, 7 were left standing, and what an amazing 7. Rocio, Danni, Andy, Dave, The Boyz )if you don´t know who they are by now, shame on you... Jesse and Sean aka José and Jean)and me.

We have spent the past few day hanging out on the Island of Bastimentos where we drank rum, got better acquainted and I actually managed to cook a meal for us all using only what I could get from the local supermarket... ´Yes, I actually cooked´. It was interesting and I´m not quite sure what to call it, but it hasn´t killed anyone... yet, and it was edible... Not bad for me.

We also took a boat tour around the islands where we spotted some dolphins and budgies... :o) We also snorkeled and I saw some of the most amazing coral that I have ever seen in my life... the water was crystal clear, vis was around 30 meters!!!
We saw some great marine life too, and even managed to get a fish for our dinner.
We hung out on the beach and swam in the sea and played baseball... or rounders... whatever you wanna call it. All in all we had a great time.

Back on the mainland killin´ time before we head to David tomorrow where I will say a very teary farewell to The Boyz... I don´t know what I am going to do without them... Guess we will have to wait and see

Next update should be from Panama City

Over and Out

xx

Pura Vida

Puerto Viejo has got to be my most favorite place in Costa Rica... I don't know why it is, but I just love the Caribbean Coast.
Everything is really chilled out here, although a little expensive. Me and the boyz are camping at Rocking J's a really cool hostel right o the beach.
We have managed to hook up with Geoff (Sean's friend from San José) again which is really nice, and the four of us have been hangin' out here for the past few days.

Heading to Panama tomorrow, which means another boarder crossing but also the last of my Central American countries, and farewell to the lads.

Guess the next update will be from Panama, somewhere.

Take it easy and Pura Vida from Costa Rica

xx

p.s. Happy Birthday Akshay

Costa Rican Compadres

After a long week of hanging out on the beach, fishing, swimming and eating the most awesome food, not to mention laughing our asses off, me and the boyz have ended up in Montezuma (on the Pacific Coast). We had the most amazing week hanging out with Uncle Charlie. Cycling around MalPias gathering and eating coconuts, making rum punch, staying in a cool cabanas right on the beach, exploring, star gazing and generally acting like big kidz... well you know what they say... 'When in Rome'.

We had a big send off last night at a reggae bar with a great live band, and of course a few beers followed by a farewell as Uncle Charlie left us to head back home. (It was a welcome break from techno I can tell you).
We like it here in Montezuma so we have decided to hang here for another night before we hit the Caribbean Coast.

Internet here sucks so I appologise for the recent lack of photos... They are on the way I promise!

From Costa Rica

x

Not so great Nica

Ok so it wasn´t that bad but after spending the past week in paradise, we all had to admit that Nicaragua was slightly disappointing.
After a hop skip and a jump across the boarder, involving a squirrel, the most interesting but not so romantic St Valentines day (thanx Sean... and Jesse, you´re the best) and yet another chicken bus, the boyz and I arrived at the Bearded Monkey... That would be our hostel in Granada.
We spent a couple of days in Granada taking in the sights, climbing the bell tower (where I hit my head on a bell!!!), running into Trevor (The Ozzy from Copan)and having a play in the park before hitting the road again.
Granada reminded us a lot of Antigua, except on a much smaller scale and not so much fun... There was only one bar for pete sake and I´m figuring I probably won´t be able to show my face there again considering I spat my drink out all over some lady... (by accident... well Jesse was making me laugh).

Ok so we shot across the boarder pretty quick ´cos we had to be in San José (Costa Rica) in time to pick up Uncle Charlie (Jesse´s uncle from The States.
We spent a crazy night in San José dancing our asses off with Geoff (Sean´s mate from school whom lives in the city) and a lot of drunk but friendly locals. It was great, it´s been ages since we hung out with locals and it was a great night.

We left the next day to rendezvous with Uncle Charlie and headed straight for the Pacific Coast. We´re basically chillin´ out which is cool ´cos I need to straighten out my back... I use the phrase ´chillin out´ in the loosest possible term. Aside from hittin the beach, we have been to a Rodeo Carnival (where we danced some more) and explored the National Park in Mal Pais on our newly rented bikes... (we saw some Howlers).

Anyway the plan for the next week is just to chill here with Uncle Charlie and then maybe head into Panama together.

I guess I´ll update you when needed, but rest assured that the guys are watching out for me and I´m in good hands.

Adios for now

xx

The Three Amigos

Call them what you will...
Laurel n Hardy, Tweedle Dumb n Tweedle Dee, Jekylle n Hyde or simply ´Yanks´... Jesse n Sean are awesome!!!
There is no other way of putting it. They are shining examples of what humans and Americans :o) should be like. For this reason I have decided to dedicate an entire blogg entry to them, and because I need to patent ´The Shoulder Groove´.
Now you may ask yourself... "What exactaly is the shoulder groove"? Well I wish I could explain with words, but unfortunaly I do not have the words to be able to explain, so you will just have to trust me when I say that its mesmorising and if you are ever trying to pick up... its a sure thing. I was skeptical at first, but I have witnessed Sean, ´The Shoulder Groove´ Master at work, and it truly is a wondrous sight to see. The guy is a genius. I have some video footage and as soon as I can work out how to upload to flickr, you can take a look for yourself!
On a more serious note... I have to personally say a MASSIVE THANX to both the guys for EVERYTHING that they have done for me. In my moment of need they were there to take me to the hospital, changed their plans so that they could hang around for me while I was fixed up and have been carrying my bags around for the past 3 days (and most importantly have been making me laugh when all I have wanted to do is cry...) just so that I wouldn't give up on my trip and so I can carry on!!!
I´m going to be spending the next couple of weeks with ´The boyz´ as they have kindly invited me to join them in their travels. I´m sure we will continue out wrath of mischief throughout the rest of Central America, I just hope that they are ready for us!

from Nicaragua

A recovering Sity

xx

Oh forgot to tell you... we are in Nicaragua now and my hotmail is back online... yippee!!!

Hondurez Highlands

Its been go, go, go since Salvador...

Sucesfully managed to make it into my next country... but couldnt get as far as I needed to, resulting in a not so pleasent pit stop in La Entrada... Not recomended. The chicken bus journey the next morning was eventful, cramped, but breath taking. Hondurez has got to be the most beautiful country in Central America yet.
Its tropical and humid, but the scenary more than makes up for that.

Visited Copan Ruines, a beautiful town and the jump off point for some more Mayan Ruins.
Got a new team tohether and the 4 of us set off for the Bay Islands where we planned to dive and I was hoping to catch up with Sean and Jessy.

Took 10 long hours to get to Utila, but at least it gave me a chance to bond with my new buddies... May and Daniel, we settled in for the long haul, finding the island to be extreally chilled and welcoming... once again being too too easy to get stuck on!
Much to my amazment Jessy and Sean were camping out under our dorm room!!! so the 3 amigos were reunited.

The last 4 days have been debortorous and me and the gang have been working had on leaving our stamp on the island... Im sure we wont be forgotten in a hurry.

Sean, Jessy and I are heading to Nicuragua now... We have had to make a bit of a detour to the hospital as yours truly has damaged her back again... waiting on results... will let you know what happens. (May have to cut my trip short... yeah I know it must be pretty bad).

Anyway the reason I havent written for a while is because, well, basically there was no useable internet on the island... Im back online, but I still cant access my hotmail... hopefully they will sort it soon.

OK Kiddies... take it easy

xx

Gastronomic Guatemala

The last 3 days have been awesome.

I managed to get myself stuck at Lake Attilan after running into a friend (Claudio) from Antigua. Claudio has a beautiful house in San Marcos on the lake and kindly invited me to stay with him. I also met Dave and Lil there who I had a great time hanging out with... The lake is stunning.

Arrived back in Antigua just in time for my hike up Volcano Pacuya, much to my (pleasant) surprise I found Jessy & Sean were on the same hike (2 hilarios yanks from my hostel). I haven´t laughed so much in ages... all the way to and up the volcano to the stumble in the dark down and the fun packed journey back to Antigua where we had to stop to carry out some road side assistenace.

Also managed to catch a show with the ´real´ Bueno Vista Social CLub... bloody fantastic.

All in all I have some fantastic memories from Antigua, and the fun continues...

I met Hok... My first ever Lithuanian encounter! We hung out in Antigua for a couple of days and have now decided to travel together for a while.

After leaving GUatemala we arrived in sunny El Salvador passing through Santa Ana and into San Salvador. We are not quite sure what exactaly we are doing here, but we are having some laughs and probably gonna hit the beach.

Hok is an interesting character, a famous, fantasic, musician, journalist and relife worker... the list is endless and if I could find the right words to describe him, I would. Maybe you should check out his myspace and see for yourself...

www.myspace.com/hokshila

Anyway for some reason I cannot access my email account? Does anyone know what is up with hotmail? Or is it just me? (relplys posted on my site would be appreciated or to sitypatel@gmail.com)

ok amigos... adios from El Salvador

xx

Awesome Antigua

I think I’m going to be stuck here for a bit.

Its absolutely beautiful, besides which I have enrolled in Spanish class ‘cos, I fell like a social reject and I wouldn’t mind getting to know this place and the people a bit better.

There’s loads to do around the city too... Have been to Coban and am heading to Lake Attilan tomorrow which is supposed to have stunning view of 3 awesome volcanoes and then I’m off to climb Guatemala’s very own active volcano on Friday, so fingers crossed. Have to have an armed guard with us for security?!

Have met some cool people here and the hostel is really chilled out... one of the nicest places I have stayed yet... Feels like home already, which ironically is making me feel a little home sick. Oh well, I guess I will get over that as soon as I am faced with molten lava... :o/

From Sunny Antigua... (one of my favorite places top date)

a Very chilled out Sity ;o)

xx

Gangsta Guatemala

I can tell you that crossing the boarder from Belize Cayo to Guatemala was a ´special´ experience indeed.
I fought corruption and refused to pay the ´entrance fee´ into Guatemala. I can tell you that the boarder guards were not impresses with my behavior, but the rest of the tourists were, after a lousy threat and the safe return of my passport, I was sent on my way 10 quetzales better off.

I did however have my camera stolen later on in the day, but hay ho, what´s a girl to do.

Never the less, I really like Guatemala. It´s beautiful, the people that I have met are kind and they seem to have a good sense of humor. I´m staying in Flores which is beautiful and I visited the Tikal ruins today which were breath taking.

Heading to Antigua tomorrow to take some Spanish lessons and check out some volcanoes... not quite sure how that is gonna work out, but I guess I´ll let you know when I do.

Catch ya lata crazy kidz...

p.s. Have to say a big thanx to Bob for lending m,e his camera today... cheers mate

p.p.s. I was right about the Lamanai Ruins in Belize, there were a lot of Mozzies, but worst still bees. I got stung for the first time EVER!!!