Touch Down in London Town!

Pre-Departure at Heathrow Airport

Home Sweet Home - Touch Down in London Town!

For those of you who don't already know....

I'M BACK!!!

I arrived on Friday and now all rested up, I couldn't resist the opportunity to update you guys! It's taken a while to adapt back to living in the UK and although I'm still not quite there yet, I'm happy to be home.

The past 3 months have been quite eventful to say the least, but arguably the best few months of my life. Malawi is a beautiful place, full of wonderful people and the only thing currently occupying my mind at the moment is....When am I going back?!

Being back is a very odd feeling. It's almost as though I am returning to a home away from home, only this feels like a 5* palace in compaison. Wh needs it eh?!
Arriving in Malawi, I was mentally prepared for the conditions I would be living in and almost knew what to expect. Returning is a whole other story! 
Going from nearly nothing, to almost everything is pretty overwhelming. As expected it will certainly take some getting used to but I can now say I see everything around me with a whole new level of appreciation.

Busy old London hasn't changed one bit since leaving, however things are a lot different when coming from slow moving, easy-going Sangilo. Everything here is soo new...and big...and...different!
Was I really as grumpy as everyone else before leaving??....and how the Hell did I move around this fast? Why is everyone is a rush???

Enough of my waffelling for now...it's great to be back and have an update and photo's for you very soon....

Home Sweet Home

Tan xx

Over & Out

Two things to celebrate today....

Firstly it's Departure day!!
Secondly, my blog has reached 1000 hits!!!

Thank-you to everyone for your tremendous support. It has been absolutely invaluable and I may well have gone slightly crazy without everyones encouraging words of wisdom and all the belly laughs along the way.
This is the exciting bit, so I hope you continue to follow my story whilst I'm away (or when I'm back depending on when I can get you an update).

I cannot begin to describe how I am feeling!

My bag has been packed and re-packed a million times over, my passport and travel documents are waiting for me by the door and a box of tissues sit off to the side as I say my final goodbyes.

Needless to say I am now far beyond the point of excitement, and inevitably a little sad, nervous and scared.
In just 2 hours I will be airport bound to meet my fellow volunteers, where we will receive our farewell packs and later board a plane to Lilongwe, Malawi. 

This is the adventure of a lifetime and I have 3 months to make it count....

the real journey starts here and now!

xx

P.S I don't know when I will next have access to the internet it is goodbye for now, but look out for updates on here, FB, twitter 'tanushri_d & instagram @tanushrid x

Leap of Faith

My very LAST day in London!!!

One question I have continually asked myself is, are you ready for this? Can I really prepare for such a drastic lifestyle change (and I don't mean packing wise)? Can I cope knowing there is only so much I can do? Do I really know what I've gotten myself into???

Honestly, I still cannot answer these....but I am definitely ready! The decision did not need a second thought, but all the same, was not made lightly. 

Is anyone ever ready for such a change?

I am most looking forward to my new family. Integrating myself into an entirely new community nearly half way across the world. A community that is decades behind my own in means of development and technology (probably a whole lot richer in other means, I'll come back and let you know!).  

I wish to find a piece of home in Sangilo,Malawi.....but hope it won't be too heart breaking to leave because I've heard otherwise! However small, I leave knowing I will return a changed person, having learnt more about, both myself and a whole new culture. 

It's important to step out of your comfort zone now and again. This is my biggest adventure in life so far....so here goes

My leap of faith!

xx