So I made it through training

Hello my friends!!

Can possibly only make this a brief e-mail, they've only just got the Staff computer up and running so there's a fair line to get down here in the basement and use it! Yet depending on how fast I can type...we'll see what happens.

First of all, I want to say thank you for letting me know how much I can brighten your days, and indeed the comments about how it is I write my e-mail and how they seem real. You know me, I usually say it as I see it, so I'm glad I can share this with you all.

Now where I left off the other day. I never made it to the Tate Modern Museum! I got a little side tracked. I actually found myself down at Westminster making the most of the fact the lines at Westminster Abbey were quite small so I went in as this was one of the places I missed last time. And I am glad I did! It is so beautiful inside and considering the amount of people that were in there, the silence really is quite amazing. It's almost this...unwritten law that prevents more than a whisper. Found myself lost in english history again though which was a lovely feeling. Actually I found myself retelling my brush with history on my last visit...Erin was asking about the Abbey and I kind of mentioned the fact that I'd only really gone in with one intention and that was to see the tomb of Mary, Queen of Scotts. And thus went on to explain a few things and it seems that she was just as wowed as I am. She's said if I want company when I goback to visit Tutbury she's up for it, but it may end up being something I just want to do alone.

Moving on. The Theatre! I can't believe I haven't been before, I have been missing so much!! Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was the most incredible thing! I have never been so entertained and laughed and wowed all at once.The acting was so fantastic and the lead was none other than Craig McLaughlan! Even the way they make the car fly is incredible!!!I was just so full of energy when I came out of the theatre, it was just spectacular. Actually, something quite spectacular was coming home after 10pm in the dark in the rain and in the thunderstorms!! It was beautiful. Only issue was that when we got back to Pax Lodge we discovered lots of issues caused by the rain, namely the fire alarm. Apparently we just missed like a heap of firemen...darn it!!

Anyhows, we were all kinda on call in the event it kept going off during what was left of the night because of water getting in and what not. So weall had clothes ready by the bed to flee outside during the night in the rain if need be.

We went to the Palladium to see the show and when we came out there were people with tents and what not setting up. We'd just assumed itwas protest or something, but I must be living in a black hole and missed probably the bigest event news in a long time! Saturday Night something called Live 8 is happening in Hyde Park. Its this huge concert for making everyone aware of poverty and like Elton John, U2, REM, Madonna and heap load of others are performing. You can't actually buy tickets, they were all won via competitions on radios and what not. Anyhows, Wednesday at 3pm they released 50,000 free ticketsfor the big screens they're putting up outside the main arena. Thus Wednesday night people were lining up already as there were only 5 venues across London giving out the tickets. Mad, Mad people. Oh Robbie Williams was another too. But they're screening it on one ofthe BBC channels, not that we'll be home to watch it!

Okay, training. Yesterday wasn't too bad. Had a full tour around the house and so I know pretty much where everything is. It's actually a lot bigger than you think! Did all the paper work and went into the World Bureau and met the Asia Pasific rep and yes, was set free at about 3:30 in the afternoon. It was a long day in the sense it was an overload of information about everything. Had my kitchen orientation and yes, it was all a bit mad.

Last night was the closing of the current session they have here. I guess not being here for the full session kind of doesn't have the same impact but I had so much fun none the less. In total there were about 54 attendees or what not. But yes, found those moments of fame that come with being a Guide from another country. Had to get dolled up in the official uniform and they all loved my hat and wanted pictures and yeah, I enjoyed every moment of it!! But they put on shows and we sang The Pax Lodge Song and a couple of others. Hearing the Promise and Taps in another language was just another friendly reminder we really are a global organisation. Its so hard to explain that feeling, although my guiding friends who have experienced it can know exactly the feeling I am talking about. Kind of like warm and fuzzy, kind of like belonging...its a mixture of a lot of things.

Second day of training was today. And this was a lot more hands on than yesterday. Bed making. Sheet folding. Washing. Drying. Ironing. Dishes. Cleaning. Office duties (I took my first phone call!!! Yay me!!!) Guest check in. Shop duties. Cash register....I can't even remember it all. Oh and this hilarious health and safety movie set up as a murder mystery who done it type of thing. Hilarious I tell you! Though corny enough to cure any insomniac!

I'm slowly getting to know all the other house assistants. Sally from South Africa, I love her to death! She's just this bright bubble ball of energy, always smiling and laughing (shares my twisted humour). In fact we've made an agreement that we're going to cheer for one anothers country in various sports when our own country isn't playing. Which brings me to Saturday night. Picked up a magazine (similar in some respects to the MX) called TNT and it listed all the sports being shown (either live or reply) at the various Walk Abouts (aussie kinda pubs) in London. Spotted the Essendon game that's on this weekend but they're showing it at 6pm on Monday and I'll either still be working,or have after dinner duties :-( BUT I know I'm not really a NRL fan...okay so I know very little about the game despite meeting almost all of the Melbourne Storm...Saturday night at 10:30 they're playing a Storm game, so it started off with just Sally and I going, but now like nearly all the HA's are coming too!! Yay! The bonus is because I'm not working Sunday I don't have to be home until 4am...yeah likethat's going to happen! I don't do late nights...well...

Caro from Germany leaves on Sunday, so she's doing a German night forus HAs tonight which will be really great. She's baking pretzel's and buying cheep beer for us to drink later this evening. Hmm...let me explain a little. While alcohol consumption is not allowed here, it's implied that in our Staff corrodoor (pretty much seperate from the rest of the house) and because we're all 'adults' behind closed doors no one will really know as long as it's done sensibly. So yes, tonight from what I can gather is going to be like one of those 'sleep overs' but without the hair doing and clothes trying on and the oh my gosh type of thing...Caro is very crazy, but a wonderful girl. Quite comfortable being her own person which is great. Yeah, very crazy.

Janet who is the dep World Centre Manager shares my love of Michael Connelly books too!! Part way trough my training yesterday we had this big discussion about him the the books he's written. I like Janet, I was a little unsure to begin with but I like her. It's funny she came into the staff meeting this morning (done before breakfast but after colours and all staff on that day are to attend) and she was like 'The Office is full!'. Usually there's only about five or six people in there but we had twelve today!! Getting back to what I was going to say, she said something about 'Look at all my children' and I watched everyone else laugh and call her 'mother' which is kind of cute. I guess in that regard, Janet is the person we go to for everything, be it good or bad.

Marie and Breanne came back from Dublin -at 3am this morning! They're sooo tired! Marie kind of thinks that it wasn't worth the trouble, they had a few issues at the airport, but I think once she's had a bit of sleep she'll be fine. Breanne had to start work at 7am and Marie not till 8:30, I do believe both will sleep well tonight.

Monique from South Africa arrived yesterday too. Get along great with her as well, indeed it's nice to have someone else all very new at this too!!! Actually, I think Monqiue and I will end up like Breanne and Marie because we're both here until December. Sometimes we have a bit of trouble understanding each other, yet we talk so much!! Jackie(ex HA also from South Africa) has invited Monique to some sort of BBQ (well the equivelent here) and told Monique she could bring someone with her, so I've been asked. I told her as long as I was free, I'd love to.

A few of you have told me places to visit on your behalf, I shall try and get there when I can. It may not be fore a while, but I'll add it all on my to do list. I found an internet cafe the other day which would allow me to hook my camera up to the computer and download some photos. So at some stage soon I hope to do that. I'm kind of house bound for a while till my £s start coming through, the whole spending money from the bank account just isn't working for me!! Everything works out to be far too expensive!!

So we've got a few famous people heading our way. Next door we have avery popular recording studio, with the likes of Phil Collins, Robbie Williams and a big list of A list singers who come and record there. The next big list name is none other than Sir Paul McCartney (I don't know if I spelt that right!) and I believe he's coming around the15th...unless I got my lines crossed about the date....and then the other big name we found out about yesterday is coming to Pax Lodge to do an interview, because of the big anniversay of Scouting/Guiding (a part of the lead up to it in 2007 I think). What happens is, the media is trying to get some big names who have been a part of the movement to kind of get involved with it all. So around the 26th of July we have none other than Mrs Prime Minister coming here! Yep, Cheree Blair! How cool is that? Hey okay so it may not be impressive to some, but I haven't had many encounters with famous people!!

Hmmm...well this one got long again. Hope you are all doing well and there are a few birthdays coming up too, so if I don't get a chance to call or e-mail or SMS then HAPPY BIRTHDAY in advance.

On that note, there are still people I am adding to my e-mail list so for those that have been added on this time around, I'm so sorry it's taken so long!!

For the moment that's about it. I need to go upstairs and finally finish my own washing, it's been building up since I left and when you consider how humid Singapore was, you can imagine it's a little smelly...okay you probably didn't need to know that!!!

Tomorrow is my first real working day!

Take care and much love to all,

Rachael :-)

Hi There

Hello Everyone!

Well it's Tuesday which means that this is my last day of freedom! Not that I much mind, the quicker I get into some form of routine the better. I'm not used to so much free time! I don't know what to do!!Okay, where I last left off...

Covent Garden. Righty-o. Can't remember if it was before or after I e-mailed that I had the pasty...but it was incredibly delicious! Well worth it! The internet cafe I was at three years ago isn't there (to answer Kathy's question) thus I was around the corner, just down the road from the Maple Leaf (apparently good waffles) and over the road from the Aussie Shop. Yes, a shop with a lot of aussie delights in it!Mind you its a little pricey so I better make sure I'm despirate before I buy...

After Covent Garden I got myself back to Pax Lodge and spent an hour going through the information folder we get upon arrival. It lists all the duties and policies and proceedures we have to follow whilst living there. I can tell you now, it covers everything! That said I kind of looked at it and went 'Oh my gosh this is far huger than Iinitially thought'...and sometime around 4pm I thought I'd lie down for a nap before dinner and yet didn't wake up until much later that night...around 11pm I think and even then it was only for a short while and woke up just after 8am on Sunday morning. Probably the only night's sleep worth while since leaving Oz...actually I was having sleeping issues long before I left...regardless, it was much needed and some of the other girls were asking where I'd vanished to as we were going to go to The Walk About!! I might just add that somehow I managed to lose myself and the Tube station around Covent Garden. It took me almost an hour to figure out I was actually almost going in circles and that's a pretty frightening thing in a place you don'tknow where you've heard horrible stories about pick pockets and tourist hunters and Loch Ness Monsters (don't ask..).....but I'm alive!

So yes, Sunday. Let me think. Oh it was the first morning I attended Colours and whilst I don't have an obligation to attend when not working, I went anyways. For those of you who don't know, Colours is the ceremony we do when raising the flag every morning. From Colours its Breakfast (staff eat after the Guests leave for the day which isusually around 9:15 in the morning). After food, and I tell you there is no shortage of that, I showered and decided I was going to go toHyde Park to Speakers Corner. What I found here was the most delightful entertainment you could imagine -for free! Each Sunday you can get up and speak about pretty much anything, most people there on Sunday were preaching about various religions and what not, but two ofthe speakers actually ended up having this full on argument! It was so good!! Okay, I know, I'm twisted...from there I ventured right acrossto the other side of Hyde Park (I tell you its huge but the most beautiful place) and found myself over near the Royal Albert Hall and the area I stayed in last time I was in London. Yes I found BP house and from there I had a general idea of where I was, which is a rarity!

I went into the British Natural History Museum and I tell you it is the most facinating place! Andrew would have loved it soooo much. I was there for about three hours and I doubt I even saw a third of it, it's just huge and there is just so much there to do. Again it's free admission so I do plan to make a visit back and see some more. Being over loaded with information, I ventured down near Glouster Road Tube stop, grabbed some Starbucks and did a quick check in on my e-mail account and sorted a few bits and pieces out. From there it was back on the Tube and back to Pax Lodge, where I rested for an hour and had dinner and even though I'm not offically on staff yet, was asked if I wanted to go out on one of the program groups to see how it all went. When I found out what they were doing, I most certainly said yes!!

What followed was one of the many walking tours available in London. We did the Jack The Ripper walking tour and it was fab! Most informative and just delightful. Creepy at some parts, especially once it started to get a bit darker in the little allys we were going down. Went to a few of the murder sights. We had 31 guests with us from across different parts of America and that isn't even all the Guests we have in at the moment. Currently Pax Lodge is running one of their sessions. This particular one is called the London Experience II and by my calculations we have about 50 guests at the moment. So walking around with the girls was quite delightful. I was getting asked 'How do you say...' and a mixture of other questions. I really enjoyed myself, although it was after 11pm by the time we got back. This little Aussie fell into bed, exhausted. I had to laugh though, Claudia from Mexico has given me a nick name 'El Papparazzi' he he he. Okay so I like my camera and I like to take photos!! I can't help it!!

Monday was much the same to start with as Sunday and indeed today, Tuesday. I jumped on a train and headed out west, it took almost an hour and a half by Tube to do this and I made a visit to the West HamUnited Soccer Club. Okay, so I don't really follow soccer, BUT I was asked to go there on behalf of my uncle and thus I decided I was going to do it Monday! I did feel some what out of place there, like I was far too pale to be in that part of London, actually heading out there on the train I am watching buildings delapidate and the passengers get rather...Broadmeadows like, and thinking, I kinda am not feeling too safe right now. But that was a comfort zone thing. In all honesty I was actually quite fine. Spent about two hours out there in total I think...I don't know. Looked around, made a few calls and got back on the train to get back to central London to find some half descent food for a late lunch.

Next thing I know I'd fallen in love...I'm getting married in September JUST KIDDING!!! Mind you half of you had me married off before I even left! No, I did fall in love, but with a place rather than a person. Andrea, I know you told me so a million times but CAMDEN TOWN ROCKS!! Oh my gosh, you haven't seen markets until you've seen Camden. And the people, I tell you every type of person is out there, from goths to glam to victorian to punk to classic vintage....oh my gosh, asian and hippie and just everything! I was out there most of the afternoon and guess what? I brought not one, but TWO skirts!! Now while you guys pick yourself up off the floor, yes skirts, I just want to add they're long ones. Very few people have seen my sorry pale excuse for legs and that's not changing any time soon! But I love them. One is a deep emerald green and the other is like a deep purple. Oh I love them! I also brought a bag and some beeded bracelets. The issue with Camden is that you could easily go bankrupt there! Admittedly I spent a bit more than I probably should have, but I couldn't help it!! It's just an amazing place!! I loved it sooooooo much!!

From there I decided to get the bus rather than the Tube. Which was fine, until the bus reached it's final stop. Hampstead Heath. Which is fine, because that's pretty much where I am living. But I'm not too familiar with the area yet and nothing was registering. So I asked. It's actually the main part of town which is just down the hill from where I am. Usually I walk to the end of my street, turn right and go to Belsize Park tube stop, where as Hampstead Heath Stop is straight ahead from my street and down the hill. So I found a bit more of Hampstead which was nice.

Got back to Pax Lodge just in time for Dinner and ended up watching Zoolander with some of the guests which was good. Only issue was I dozed off (in my room) about 9:30pm again! And slept right through! I don't know if it's me still trying to catch up on sleep or me walking like EVERYWHERE or just the humidity continuously draining me....or a combination of all of the above.

Today saw the guests go down to the Heath for a service project and it finds me sitting on Fenchurch Street. Been to London and Tower bridge, was trying to make my way to the Modern Tate Museum but got distracted and here I am. I will make my way there after I've gotten something for lunch. You want to know the best bit about today? Well technicallyit's tonight and there are no promises as its going to depend on numbers, but I might be going to the Theatre!!!! Yay!!! I couldn'twork out why everyone was either singing 'We Will Rock You' or 'ChittyChitty Bang Bang' this morning but I've discovered half are going to see one show and half are going to see the other! We Will Rock You is full, but apparently there are a few extra tickets floating around for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and so yes, I might be going!! Ohh it's so exciting! The THEATRE!! Wahooo!!! Okay, I better settle down. In which case, I really should think about heading off. It's now after 1pm and dinner is early today, at 5pm and I'll have to allow an hour to get myself back to Hampstead (peak hour, me getting lost) so I should think about winding this up.

A couple of things. I am loving the Tube. Well no, just the annoucements really. 'Mind The Gap' and how every so ofter the annoucements are telling travellers to keep water bottles with them at all times due to the heat (ha this is nothing!). I hate how at the end of the day I blow my nose and what comes out is black. And I mean black. Gives you a general idea of the pollution levels. It's pretty yuck. And I'm going brown! Okay everyone up off the floor for a second time! It's very weird. I usually burn and just go white, but slowly there's this brown tinge creeping up on me...beautiful!!!

Regardless of small moments of quietness, I'd just like to emphasise, I am having a BALL! And will continue to. Its just going to take a while to settle in. Give me a month or so (maybe a bit more when I've earnt a few more £s!) and there will be e-mails from Germany or Paris or where ever!! I'm trying to get my head around London first, and then comes the adventures.

Personal notes:

Sarah, I am so sorry I haven't returned your call!! It was tapped to my door the night you rang (Jack the Ripper Night) and I just haven't called yet. I have to wait until tomorrow when I start training to get an idea of what my hours will be on Friday. Worst case scenario I finish at 9pm...but we'll wait and see. I'll call.

Kathy, the poster is just fine for the moment, you'll hear me hollar if I need anything else. Don't know if these e-mails will serve very well for anything to be posted any where, at the moment it's just crazy ramblings!

The Noones, Lauren and Laura; sorry about leaving you guys out! I've only just found your e-mail addresses so I'll get around to sending you my previous e-mails somehow, sometime....yeah, when I do!

Righty-o I think that just about does it. Perhaps next time I can tell you a bit more about what exactly I'm doing at Pax Lodge (in aPhysical sense, still haven't worked out what I was thinking when I applied!) but yes, hope you are all doing well and thank you for the e-mails that have been sitting here, it's nice to get news from home.

Take care and stay safe, much love,

Rachael

Heya

Heya mate,

I can't believe I am actually here. Yes I know, I keep saying it, but it's so hard to believe this is real. I guess the reality will set in once I start working.

Had my first cry yesterday and have been made a member of the 'Tears Club' here at Pax Lodge, there are three members, plus me. Its nice to know I don't have to feel so bad about crying -that said its not something I want to start doing publically.

Had Caro from Germany come in to say hi this morning so I had to talkabout all the photos and things on my wall. It was kinda nice I guess, like introducing everyone I know to my new friends.

Right now I'm sitting just down the road from where I stayed last timeI was in London, I'm probably about three blocks from Hyde Park whichI completely and utterly love. Will be on my regular visits list no doubt.

Sarah my host sister is coming down from Stafford on Friday because she's flying to Africa until September, so I'll be catching up with her at some stage which will be fantastic!! Plus she and her family have invited me up to their house for Christmas...pretty neat really.

Well I have to go, I was going to call earlier but I remembered that the tax man was coming and figured it was definately going to take at least a couple of hours -so decided against that idea. I'll probably call again soon, you know me, I tend to be a creature of habbit.

I think I'll be okay once I get a bit of a routine happening. Take care mate, I know I don't need to say it, but it's amazing how knowing about distance can make missing people so much harder!

Rachael :-)

Well I made it

Greetings!!

Okay I just know for sure Michael has just rolled his eyes!!

So I am sitting in Covent Garden -yes that's right, I used the Tube all by myself and didn't get lost...much. And that was walking through the streets, not on the train. Am very happy about the drop in temperature, but it's still a bit humid. Not as hot, thank goodness!

The flight from Singapore was a killer. The lady in front of me got sick right after take off and thus had her seat down the WHOLE 12.5 hours of the flight. Consequently I had the back of her chair about30cm from my face the whole time. But it's not her fault, I know. Watched a few movies this time, The Pacifier, The Incredibles and Finding Neverland which I completely and utterly loved. I haven't been that moved by a movie in a long time. I was quite conscious of the number of people around me so I didn't have a big bawl...but the urge was definately there!

Pax Lodge. Two words. Very Overwhelming. My room is big enough to suit its needs and it sems right now the majority of staff there at the moment are Canadian, including one girl who was at SOAR in 01 when I was there. It seems this big crazy jumble at the moment, there are people everywhere I'm getting told things left right and centre, then turning around and going 'what the?'. Woke at 2am this morning and didn't get back to sleep, I know as I type this it's late evening in Oz so I think it's going to take me a while to get used to things. My training doesn't start until Wednesday so I've literally got four days to myself to come and go as I please. Marie and Breanne are taking me to Camden Town Market on Monday (yes Andrea, THE market of all markets!!).

So I get to Pax Lodge last night and managed to dump my bags in just enough time for Marie and Breanne to tell me they're going to take me to go and met George. So I'm like, 'Who is George?' and they tell me I have to wait and see. A short walk later I discover that George isn't actually a person and indeed better know as 'The George', the localpub!! What a record, been in the country just on two hours and at apub all ready!! Goodness me! So (yes Andrea, you're doing again) had this massive discussion about Snake Bites and they actually know a pub that sells them for like £3 on a Tuesday night!!

Tonight they're taking me to 'The Walk About' an Aussie Pub which is again a regular spot for the House Assistants to hang out. I think betwen the nine girls currently there, I'll know all the places to go before I even finish my training! I've remembered a couple of names already. Marie and Breanne are from Canada, Caro is from Germany, Allison is also from Canada, Heidi is from the UK, Janet is also fromCanada. We've also got a girl from Japan and Africa whom I haven't yet met. There's also another girl who I can picture but can't recall her name nor where she's from. I think I'm doing good just to remember that much!

You want to know something funny. For those of you who know the term(and there are a few I've explained it to) this is what you call a Classic Rachael Moment. So I'm in my hotel in Singapore, I've managed to sleep through my alarm. My bus to the airport is coming at 9:30am. Just on 9am I finally am ready to walk out the door. Bags are packed (they were lighter than they were leaving Melbourne, figure that out!!) so I take my smaller red bag and put it out in the hallway so I can go back in to get my back pack. As I've done this, the door has closed behind me. The problem? Well my card to get back in was in the light socket (that's how the power works) thus I am standing there thinking 'What the hell do I do?'!! Ten minutes later I am trying to talk to the room service lady who doesn't understand a word of English. Eventually we sorted out what I wanted and was able to get into my room with her master card key thing. So I checked out and got downstairs for the bus, with about five minutes to spare. You guys know me, I stress easy, I so thought I was going to miss the bus!! But it was funny, I've just turned around to open the knob and gone 'Oh shit'. He he he.

Coming through customs in London was a breeze. Like five minutes in line, walked up to the counter, swiped my passport and said have a nice day. I'm serious, it was so quick. I walked into the arrivals hall, looked at the line and knew I was going to be there at least an hour. Having special bits of paper really helps!! It took longer to get my bag than it did to clear customs!!

Well I think that about does me for this installment, it may be a few days before I e-mail again, going to try get my head around everything. Was walking down the main street of Hampstead this morning and went, ''my gosh, I am actually in London, I am actually here (and just to point out the obvious) there are English people everywhere!!''. So yes, I guess reality didn't sink in until a little while back.

I am off to get a cornish pasty, the place I brought one from three years ago is still here, so I'm going back for more!!

Couple of personal notes:

Natty: you should see all the pigeons here!! I am so serious, there's more pigeons than there are windows!!

Kathy: I know you're sending stuff over shortly, can I be a real pain and ask you to send a badge poster? You know the colour one with all the youth badges on it? I could have sworn I put one in my bag, but I don't know. I'm also missing a couple of other things but they don't concern me. If you could to that...you're a Gem!

Andrea: Used your Tube Map this morning, thank you thank you. It told me it was happy to be 'home' he he he

Right, I thought I had a few more than that...but I've forgotten more than I've taken in! Oh actually, I don't know if I am leaving anyone off when I'm sending these e-mails...if you know someone I have left off...let me know...I've got addresses scattered everywhere!

Oh and that's right, I was going to leave a contact number and address....

PAX LODGE
Olave Centre
12c Lyndhurst Road
London NW3 5PQ
ENGLAND
UNITED KINGDOM

Ph: +44 (0)20 7435 2202

Don't know how codes or anything go...but I'll look into it...But I am sure you're all smart enough to figure them out! And remember, if you call, please allow for the 14 hr time difference. If you call sometimeafter 5pm you should be right, it's about 8am here at that time....so work on that theory...

Cheerio,

Rachael

Toorah from Singapore!

Hello All!

Well what a busy few days it has been! And hot! My gosh the worst was yet to hit since I last e-mailed! It got hotter, yesterday it hit 32.5 and I sware I was soooo ready to pass out. The best part was there was actually some sunshine which was brilliant because Singapore is so beautiful at the best of times, but far more amazing when the sun is shining. Consequently I'm a very odd brown/red colour at the moment...yep sunburn city!

The night safari was okay. The night show was a little too Steve Irwin for me... Wasn't what I was expecting but it was good none the less. Tim was telling me stories about his travels through Asia thus far and it sounded so interesting. And who is Tim? Well he's a kiwi fromWellington who did the night safari tour and we just started talking. Most people will talk to you which is pretty good. Traveling solo has it's advantages but as it was so bluntly put -there's no one here to share the fun with, not right in the moment when it happens.

Saw a million more shops yesterday, got myself lost again. Had a small moment of emotional weakness upon stumbling on a Bonsai Garden, but that was okay, perked myself up and kept going. Ended up doing 2, 1 hour open top bus tours which was fantastic because it gives a slightly better view of the city plus stacks more interesting facts about this place. Have taken close to 150 photos already which is a little scary considering I've only been gone a couple of days. That said, Singapore completely fascinates me. I love this place! Yes Kathy, I know when I was here three years ago I said I'd never come back because of the humidity, but you get used to it!! Have lots of stories to tell, including some about this group of four Americans who have been trouble everywhere they've gone...deary me.

Last night, well yesterday arvo/evening I went on another tour, this one was to a place called Sentosa Island. It's kind of like Phillip Island to Victoria, a small island in its bay but this was far greater than Phillip island. Did a heap of things like the aquarium, butterfly house, simulator rides...but it tells me that I guess attractions wise in Victoria alone we are far better off. We have amazing tourist facilities in that regard. But sat and had a drink on one of the man made beach resort fronts and was about three minutes off missing my bus to the next destination...Opps! Jumped on a sky tour and got a pretty fantastic view of Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia...shame it was a bit smoggy though.

The highlight of last night was most definitely the laser/hologram show I saw. It was amazing, the most incredible thing you will ever see. I've been to Disneyland and it was okay, but thought it was most magical at night during the fireworks display. This show last night is definitely up there in the running to beat those fireworks and that's saying something. It was just incredible -my girls would have loved it so much!! I loved it!! There was this monkey type creature called Kiki and it's like Nemo and Shrek and all those kids characters rolled into one. It was just brilliant, I loved it so much!!

You've never watched TV unless you've watched TV in Asia, everything is in another language. Channel V is very interesting and in the middle of all these Asian songs, on comes "Red Red Wine..." he he he. Oh my gosh, there's this TV ad here for breath mints or something and anyhows, it's this polar bear shaving himself, shaving all his fur off to keep cool! Anyhows, at one point he shaves a bit low and must kinda nick himself in a tender place and the look on it's face is sooo funny! he he he....I know I know, small things...

Met am American woman last night whose kids were a part of theBoy/Girl Scout movement. So ended up talking 'shop' with her about all things guiding related. And I had a Kiwi lady tell me that I didn't sound Australian. Should I be worried about that?!

Finally took a chance and tried some local food yesterday. Admittedly it was a curry puff type thing and these odd kind of spring rolls...but they were indeed delicious. Had a shop lady tell her husband off for telling me to hurry when sorting out my coins, she basically told him to shut up and give me time as I was a tourist and yeah...that was weird.

Okay well I think that about wraps it up at this point in time, Internet access is free here at Changi but it's only in 15 minute stints. Overall I can't believe I have to leave Singapore so soon! I want another week here! It's incredible! That said I looked at the weather forecast for London this morning on the Box...it said 30 degrees!! What's that about?!!

So yes, must be off. Hope everyone is well and enjoying the cold...I actually would like to get on the plane just so I can freeze my butt off!! I am off to go and do some shopping, I've some money left which is surprising. In my next e-mail I'll have a phone number and mailing address to give to you which I can be contacted on in the next 5 and a bit months.

Take care,

Until Next Time, Rachael :-)

Or Echidna just for the benefit of my girls :-) :-) :-)

Re: So this is Singapore

Heya,

I fitted all that in yesterday!! I've been a busy little beaver trying to get as much in as possible. Am exhausted though. Did a night safari last night which was interesting in many regards. This morningI slept till 9am and was woken by room service...ahh the joys...and have spent the past two hours having breakfast and getting myself lost-again!

Am in a HUGE shopping centre at the moment called Suntec City, the whole place is designed to resemble a hand, its actually quite interesting.

No I didn't get bumped to first class and no I didn't get changed. The uniform isn't actually all that bad to travel in. And no I didn't buy any silks, but I will before I leave, I have to be careful what I buy, I was already 6 kgs over the luggage limit before I started...I guess I just can't tell what I'll need for a whole seven months.

In regards to the SMS...I didn't think I sent you one, although I may have. Some people will get them, some won't. My usual number won't come up and I'm not sure how it will appear, but I think generally the weird sms will be from me!!

Okay well must dash, my time is almost up and I have to keep moving. I've got another tour at 3pm and there's still a heap of things I want to do. Like check more e-mails!!

Ciao!

P.S It's currently a humid 33 degrees...this is a killer!!

So this is Singapore

Hi Guys!

I had initially planned to send one e-mail upon my leaving Singapore, but after the brain overload and senses overload from this morning alone...it may be wise to send mail before then!!

I just want to say that it's currently 31.5 degrees with a humidity of around 90% no wonder I'm like dying here!! I swear to you the humidity alone is a killer! I feel like I could go back to the hotel and sleep forever...the only issue with that is that I'm not entirely sure where my hotel is from here...I'm in some dingy little arcade in the basement of one of the millions of shopping centres here and I mean millions. In the general area of my hotel alone there are three shopping complexes, like six stories high! These people can shop!

My flight wasn't too bad. We were half hour late taking off but generally with International travel the only flight that runs on time is the one you get on to come home! Singapore Airlines is even more impressive than it was last time I flew with them. They've now got what you call 'On Demand' for their movies, TV shows and audio. So basically there were like 60 movies, 120 shows and 220 CDs to choose from any time of the flight I wanted. Oh my gosh! Natty they had Elvis!! I fell asleep listening to Elvis and when the "Ghetto" song came on I just had this image of us at our desks singing!! He hehe...oh dear. But yes, I only watched one movie 'Coach Carter' whichI really enjoyed. Watched a docco on Singapore and one on Castles in England. Then listened to some music, played a few games and slept for a bit. Ate food like all the time, and it truly was great food too! Had the most delicious Chicken Pot pie thing...mmmmm

So got to Singapore and blow and behold I was actually on the same flight as Karen Chatto's parents! And they're at my hotel too!! Ha! Apparently I stand out in my uniform...but yes, easy run through customs, my bags were untouched and waiting for me. Turned my phone on and there were all these welcome messages from the different telephone companies in Singapore! On the subject of my phone. It won't pick up reception in some areas, and the only time is doesn't cost me is if you send an SMS. Either incoming or outgoing calls cost me. My phone will be mostly off but I will have it on for a couple of hours each day. Here in Singapore we are two hours behind you guys. So turning the phone on and finding the odd SMS is lovely...I've sent a couple back but not sure if they're getting through...

Got to the hotel last night and discovered I'm actually in the old building which is a bit of a disappointment, but it's not terrible either. My room at the Holiday Inn at Melb airport was better and if I thought the TV was dodgy there, I've only one English speaking channel here which seems to have American Idol on every time I switch it on. Okay so I've turned it on three times...by the time I got in last night I checked in, dropped my bags at my room and went downstairs to sort out my stopover tours. From there I went in search of a seven 11 to stock my room up with some food. Found this neat little lolly shop in one of the arcades...only issue was the woman didn't speak English. We established one word 'sour' and I don't know if she was telling me which ones were sour or the ones that weren't sour. Needless to say I now am a bit iffy about eating the little sweets that I have...regardless, wandered around by myself but didn't feel too safe doing so as most people I bumped into didn't seem to have very good English. I was tired, a little emotional and quite far out of the comfort zone so did a quick wander (had a very delicious ice-cream) did my little bit of shopping (hello Starbucks in a glass bottle at seven 11!!) and went back to the room, ordered room service and sprawled out for some TV, tour working out and just general rest.

Got up this morning and got ready and was down in the lobby at 9am for my City tour. As the bus was driving around, the tour host was talking about all these really interesting thing like how a lot of the buildings are built taking into account feng shui and how one particular area Suntec City -or similar- is built on the whole notion that the new millennium is modern, thus so is its architecture, but alot of the older traditions determined just exactly how the whole thing was put together. Like the fountain in the middle which actually flows inwards as a sign of wealth. Visited Little India, Civic Area, Esplanade, Chinatown, Gem Stone Centre and the BotanicalGardens /Orchid Park. There was an interesting tradition mentioned in little India to do with coconuts. Apparently, if you pick up a coconut and smash it on the ground, it signifies the breaking of Ego. The outside of a coconut is hard and the inside is soft. This can be said about some peoples Egos. Anyhows, this went on but it was just really interesting. So if you get a coconut in the mail....you're ego needs breaking! Ha! Just kidding!! Saw a self serve curry puff place and found some glorious silks in Chinatown, they were just amazing.

The toll system here is an interesting one. The rates change every half hour. So you could end up paying some astronomical amount when you don't particularly want to. It's to discourage city traffic, the idea is that public transport is the way to go. Mind you with the bad smells, horrific drivers and dodgy buses I can understand why people drive cars! Which in itself is another interesting story. In brief, to buy a car you basically have to go through a tendering process which means in the long run, you may lose the bid to buy the car.

Every Friday is a significant day at Changi Prison. Here in Singapore, Armed Robbery, Murder and Drug related crimes are a hanging offence for both genders. Thus every Friday is hanging day...oh and if you'rein Shanghai in three years time, you'll be there to see the opening of the new tallest hotel in the world. Apparently its currently in Dubai. And did you know that about 70% of the water in Singapore is actually imported from Malaysia? And that any given time of the day there is approximately 900 boats in the Harbours at Singapore?!! Singapore alone has approximately 8 million visitors each year, that's twice it's current population...of which 71% is Chinese...do you think I've learnt alot already today?!!! Talk about brain strain!

Oh my gosh...we were down by the Esplanade this morning and I held a HUGE yellow python while this guy played the flute to make it move. I was SHITTING myself!! It was so heavy and I was just thinking it was gonna bite me! It was sooo funny! The look on my face in the photo, you can so tell!! Met a lovely woman from Korea who is in Singapore with her husband who is working so she's out playing. Sounds like agood deal to me. Also had an ex-guide leader on my tour this morning, she's from New South Wales. The were also some ratbag kids on the tour bus, they were Indian (not that it's relevant) but they looked so cute but were a trio of ratbag kids! We were driving along and the driver just shouts out at this kid who is just running up and down the isle, the parents didn't even care!

Now, there is apparently one thing everyone is Singapore has to do. And I've done it! No crude ideas please, I can hear some of you thinking already (not looking at anyone in particular....). Yes I have been to The Long Bar at the Raffles Hotel and had a Singapore Sling and here I met Mary-Anne and Kevin from south of Auckland in NZ. So I sat there chatting to them for ages!! Well an hour. The drink was somewhat interesting really. Had a photo taken too, just to prove it!So from there I did the wanders and have ended up where ever it is I am now....I should probably think about finding my way back. I have to be on my Night Safari at 6pm and I want a shower and a nap before I do that...the day has been so long and tiring. BUT I am having fun and have seen LOTS of interesting sights and smelt some not so nice things...plenty of photos, lots of money spent and only a small amount of things to show for it. Mind you, food is a bit costly. And I got ripped off I think. No not really. My hotel takes commission when exchanging money...thus I got my Aussie dollars at a rate of 1.19 Singapore dollars when I could have got it for 1.34 just down the road *sighs* oh wells, we learn from these things.

Tonight is the night safari and I think tomorrow I will head out to the Bird Park or do breakfast at the zoo...haven't decided yet. Actually I think I want to head over to Sensota Island for the day and see everything there...Oh I don't know, I may even just play it by ear and see how things go.

Well that got very long!! All I wanted to say is that I'm sweltering. There are zillions of shops everywhere (inc Marks & Spencer's), there's some weird fashion and many things to excite the senses. All in all, am really enjoying myself. Over the solo fact now, I can deal with being a loner in daylight, well the times I haven't found someone to talk to!

On that note I should be off, if you don't get an e-mail from me on Friday when I'm at the airport...you know I got even more lost and never got back to the hotel!! JUST KIDDING!! Mum get up off the floor I am FINE!!

Rachael :-)

BTW all those sorry's I have in my inbox -DON'T BE SORRY!! It's all fine, seriously.

And here I go . . .

Hey Guys!

Well am sitting here enjoying my Starbucks after having absolutely no sleep, so I'm doing well. Yes Andrea, I remembered my passport!! Though I did have a bit of a freak out half way through the night trying to remember if I'd got everything, mind you that could have been the wine. My hotel room was very nice, very impressive actually. It served it's purpose.

It's been about three years since I've been through duty free. It's an odd feeling. Got inside the big scary doors and just burst into tears- as I expected I would. Mind you this was interrupted by laughing with thanks to "Turkey" being hollered out from the public terminal and everyone around me just looked when I burst out laughing.

I also keep forgetting that I have to take my hat off when doing all that official passport and ticket type of stuff. Speaking of which I saw an Asian guy just about go troppo and came flying back over near me and dived under the seat. His passport must have fallen out. How lucky is that?!

Oh my gosh I've just had a heart attack. I've just looked at the time on the computer and it's 10:05...but it's only 9:05, the clock is wrong!! Gosh!Anyhows, just a nice short and sweet one really. I made it this far and now there is no turning back, no matter how scary it seems.

Actually you want to know something? A smile has crept onto my face, and it's spreading quite quickly.

Here I go again.

Me :-)