Operation Penguin - Logistics

October 1st, 2011: Check list so far includes - 

• 'Spanish In 10 Minutes A Day' book taken down from the shelves. Check.
• Occasional glancing through it. Check.
• Spanish language app on iPad. Check.
• Notes to travel agencies about availability on Antarctic cruises. Check.
• Confirmation of end date at work in the NL. To Do!
• Check on visa requirements (lesson learned after Dubai...grrr!). Check.

4 October - finally some time with my boss to discuss 'my future'. He was very agreeable to me leaving at Christmas and not coming back in January even though my contract isn't really done until 31 Jan. Now it's in the hands of HR to sort out the payroll switch for Jan 1st and other fun logistics. For now, the last big question has been answered and I have the green light for a SIX month sabbatical. Cue the music...it's time for the happy dance again!


6 October - dinner with Guille in London. It was a bit of a fluke to meet up in London but we capitalized on the opportunity. Over a deliciously messy burger and a bottle of malbec we hatched a plan for a road trip end Jan/early Feb to Mendoza, Bariloche and maybe Chile. Woo hoo!


10 October - decision made. Sent a note to Southern Explorations requesting a spot on the 'Antarctic Dream' cruise leaving February 24th and going until March 8th.


13 October - bought airline tickets to Buenos Aires. Jan 18-May 6. Best part is I booked on points...in business class. Four years as an expat going on business trips has spoiled me. I freely admit that!!!


24 October - deposit on 'Antarctic Dream' cruise with Southern Explorations to Antarctica February 24th to March 7th, 2012 is accepted.  I secured my place!


26 October - Zach W. from the Mumbai express comments on my Facebook status about going to Ushuaia in February and wonders when I'll be in the neighbourhood since he's driving pretty much the perimeter of South America starting in January next year to celebrate his 30th birthday.  Hmm...I wonder if our paths will cross.


28 October - found a few websites that might allow me to volunteer for only a couple of weeks instead of a 3-6 month commitment.  Definitely worth looking into.  Would love to find something where I could teach english or even math.  That would be fabulous!


3 November - news from my new boss about the delay with my handshake with HR...phew!  They haven't forgotten about me. 


8 November - downloaded a whole bunch of Coffee Break Spanish and ShowTime Spanish podcasts.  Learning all sorts of crazy expressions like 'estoy estupendamente - no podria estar mejor' and 'no seas pesado'! (I'm fantastic - couldn't be better ... and ... don't be such a pain!).

11-11-11: Handshake completed. Though apparently I'll be a senior geologist?!


1 December: Three weeks to go before leaving the NL.


I am feeling sadness as the good parts of my life here come into focus more sharply. Isn't that always the way?!?! How can I possibly leave the wonderful people in my life and this fabulous city?


Then there's the panicky feeling at all the logistics involved in the move. Packing for Christmas, packing for the trip and the rest I'll see in May/June if I manage to find a house I can afford in Calgary. My brain hurts!!!


15 December: Team goodbye drinks and dinner and the unveiling of the penguin suit and Happy Feet 3 poster. I was blown away by the thoughtfulness and effort that went into my gift. What a great group! And Kees didn't think I'd actually wear it at the pub, on the tram and into the restaurant! Ha...I loved it, says the girl who went through India dressed as Daphne and drove a tuktuk painted like the Mystery Machine!!!

22 December: At Schiphol and leaving the NL after 4 years. It's been an exhausting time packing up, organizing, finishing up work, and saying goodbye to friends. My tear reservoir seems to be nearly empty now though. I'm just on auto-pilot going where I'm supposed to. I'm quite tired (read:emotionally exhausted) after all this and some time at Mom and Dad's doing nothing is deliciously appealing!



7 January...2012!!!: They say the best way to pack light is to strictly stick to a packing list. I've been consolidating packing lists from various sources in the past few days. It's getting long but pretty solid. Curious to see how much room it may all take up though!!!


9 January: An expensive but fun trip to MEC today. I bought all sorts of little things for the trip (new head lamp, a new dry bag, zip ties...) and a fancy new 45L backpack. I can't believe it but I think I'll travel with a suitcase on wheels and a day pack! What's become of me?!?! I'm sure I'll be ostracized at the hostels. Those on the cruise will keep their distance from the scruffy backpacker. I'm a hybrid traveller in my mid-thirties I guess. Who knew?! ;o).

14 January: Skype with Guille down in Bahia Blanca is choppy but we managed to discuss the most important logistical details - car rental and camping gear acquisition - and we're close to being sorted.  I'll see her on Friday.  Crazy!