number nine

I was sitting on the train going to work the other day when I just thought "Why not apply to become a paramedic now?" I have always thought that being a paramedic would be my change of career job in my mid to late thirties. So why not now? It is only three years of university and a lot of that is on the job. However, more debt. Currently I owe the government $36,000. Just like a house mortgage, a little more wont hurt, will it??

The application process is pretty in depth with questions like "Why do you want to be a paramedic and what paid or unpaid work have you done to reflect this?" There is not even a guarantee that I will get accepted. If you don"t try, then you can't succeed.
If I apply, I can still have the option later on however if I don't apply, the option will not be there later on (if I get accepted).

I am just battling with the thought that I would be abandoning my environmental science degree. I would like to think that this would not be the case. I know that environmental management and conservation will always be a significant part of my life and a part of everything I do, I think I may just feel as though I could be doing more. While at university, (if i chose that path), I would have to work a lot to pay the bills and would endeavor to build my company. I have not written about that here, but it is something that I feel very strongly about and know that I will do one day- why not now??

I think I have too many interests. Too many different paths that I want to go down, which will all make me happy and content. I want to do them all.

Less than two weeks to departure!

Three weeks until I leave

Flights all booked, expedition booked and a plan has been made... kinda. I've gone with the Qantas flights. They are direct to Buenos Aires, give me frequent flier points and apparently are more comfortable. My bags have a less chance of getting lost too (which is a big plus, but having said that....). I am going to spend a week in Buenos Aires doing some Spanish lessons to polish up and see the sights. Then I am going to head north to Cochabamba Bolivia making a number of stops on the way. I believe it is possible to make this in one incredibly long leg (54hours!!), but I plan to do it in 3 or 4 parts. That way I'll get to see a fair bit of the place and not go totally insane. The salt flats are exciting me a lot. From what I have seen, amazing! Just looking at a map of Bolivia and South America, I think it makes more sense to go to Palacio de Sal on the way south to Chile.

After my time at the animal refuge (Comunidad Inti Ware Yassi) I will go to La Paz to acclimatise and see whats happening there before going to Santiago, Chile. I have some old friends there who I will hopefully get to see. Catching up with friends in random places across the globe is the best thing! From there, I will head east to Mendoza where I will begin the expedition =]
I have a week after that to get to Buenos Aires and be home for Christmas.

A plan, this plan sounds great to me, but also I don't usually have things this set out, usually just I see whatever happens happens. But this is good. Still lots of room to move about.

I feel good. Money is tight. Very tight. Just when I think I have enough, something else comes up. Just spent 300 dollars on vaccinations. I knew I'd need some, but they are just so expensive. And I know how fast money goes when overseas. I'll be coming home to about... zip. I am okay with that but.

I'll write more when I get more time! Happy Travels

We're going to Bolivia!

Just in the process of sorting out my flights, tossing up between Aerolines and Qantas.... Aerolines are quite a bit cheaper and Qantas are a more expensive but will possibly be better connected if airports have a melt down... most likely will be going with the cheaper option. When you are on a shoestring budget, three hundred dollars is a lot.

I am pretty pumped! But I also have that feeling deep in my belly, you know that one where you know what is coming and that is worse than not knowing. I am making reference to Aconcagua, I know what it is like to just be at high altitude let along hike and trek there. I remember in Nepal just out of breath simply untangling myself in my sleeping bag. I also know that I can push through it and keep going. I believe high altitude is 30% fitness and 70% mental. This time round I am a lot fitter, but again, that is no guarantee.

I have had responses from both of the volunteer NGOs which is making it harder for me to choose. The wildlife refuge is sounding sooo appealing, working with animals to get them back to full health and hopefully back into the wild. There are big and small cats that reside at the refuge, man I would love to spent time with the cats. Always a dream of mine to befriend a cat cat. The other organization are yet to give me a definite program or project so I cannot make a decision. The two are in relatively similar areas so it wont effect my flights or anything I need to sort out right now.

Also I've been speaking to an Aconcagua expedition company so it's all a go! As soon as I get my flights I'll book a place on the expedition.

YAY.

Everything seems to much brighter when there is something to look forward too. I feel as though I am doing something positive with my life and am heading in the right direction. =]

Stay tuned, more to come.