Oct 2006

The whole point to a blog is posting to the darn thing as far as I understand it (yes, spot the n00b), so therefore, here's an update: not entirely an update for an update's sake since some things did happen worthy of my blog, but still excuse the boring bits for now (it'll get better towards the end of the year, I promise!)...

First off I am happy to report that I passed my Stellenbosch language skills test (a prerequisite for my application to Stockholm university) on the highest level (level 9, being an expert user of the english language, having an excellent command of the language). Congratulations can be sent to theh@can-u-believe-this-idiot.com.

Then I am also very excited about my England plans coming together slowly but surely: I have had very positive conversations with my English friends (please note, they insist that they are English, not British, not from the UK, but English - funny bunch these Poms I tell you) and have thus far already been invited to a real proper english roast in the english countryside (very very cool!) as well as having been offered accomodation at the Palace de Aldred (although apparently neither breakfast nor room service is included with this offer).

One outstanding issue of a very substantial diamond currently being held captive in London is also due to be settled shortly. Watch this space!

I haven't been to England since 1997 (I hear from reputable sources that London doesn't count as England, therefore the date of 1997), so it is probably about time that I just check up on the Poms again.

Now all that is left in respect of my England plans are to finalise the dates and book my eurostar ticket from Leuven, making it one (visit organised) down, two to go.

Enough rambling for one reader to digest, so off I go for now.

Till we meet again!

ps - Herewith a pic of the Peak District (area where I'll be treated to a proper english roast):

After a number of people having asked me "Do you have a blog, you seem like somebody that would have one?", a number of my friends having 'myspaces' and now my dad starting up a blog, I actually didn't have any choice about starting this blog (it's a matter of pride!).

Why this site? Well, except for showing the people out there that I CAN actually have a blog....? I'm planning some trips in the next 18 months and the "lets-email-everybody-in-one-big-spam" is old hat, sooooo: here we go.

First up is a planned trip to Germany, Belgium and the UK. Maybe even fit in another country in there if I'm lucky (hopefully Sweden!). Will see. Also planning to go and do a year's studying in Stockholm in August 2007, which would then probably end up as the most important subject matter of this blog.

This site will thus be about capturing these trips, probably more for my own sake than for my friends - like we all know, nobody is actually really interested in your holiday snap shots. In any event, the boring stuff will initially be posted here, all from applying for visums, getting stuff sorted and then actually getting round to visit the places. The juicy (?!) stuff will hopefully come later on, so hang in there for the time being.

The first part of the battle for my first trip has been won already: my ticket has been reserved (and what a battle it was - tickets in Dec/Jan is terribly hard to come by this late in the game) albeit not yet bought for 23 Dec - 23 Jan and my "extra" leave from my job has been negotiated with my boss. I should, if all goes according to plan, have my ticket in hand by approx 24 Oct 2006 after which I will be starting the most tedious process of applying for a Shengen Visa (yes, us poor Africans still get discriminated against when it comes to access to Europe).

Other than that I don't think I have much more for opening words (and it is already past 1am), so I'll (abrubtly?!) end right here.

Till next time.