Being a lone wolf

After I finished school, before I went to university, I decided to try something new, exciting and scary, and go to Uganda for four weeks, by myself.

I went to a place called Fort Portal, in Western Uganda, to 'volunteer', with IVHQ. Now, I can see both sides of the story for voluntourism, but in all honesty I don't think I helped much in the school next door or the orphanage over the road.

Yes, I taught some maths lessons and hopefully inspired some of the kids to work hard at school and get further with their education. Yes, I washed up some pots and collected water in the orphanage, so that the staff there could spend more time on other important jobs. And yes, I painted a wall in a hospital ward that would otherwise have been left looking tatty and unclean, so that builders could fix more important things.

Decorating a room at Ibonde Children's Home

I also, however, was just another Western person to come into the orphanage, make great friends with the kids and form a bond, only to then leave again and not come back. I painted in a ward where people were dying because they couldn't afford the hospital food, and didn't actually help anyone.

The main thing I got out of my trip to Uganda was personal development - but I don't actually think that's a bad thing to admit.

I recently read a great blog post by my friend Maia, who I met in Uganda. It says how every woman should travel alone, at least once in her lifetime, and explains all the reasons why it's important.

I completely agree, and I thing more people should do it.

When I stepped off the plane at Entebbe airport at 3am, I felt more alive, excited and free than I ever had before. I had to think for myself, be alert all the time, and look after myself in a completely new place. I met tonnes of new people from around the world in that month, many of whom I still keep in touch with, and had so much fun. I learnt so much about myself in a really short amount of time, and gained so much confidence, I'm still amazed by it.

I even learnt the valuable life skill of how to milk a cow!

I'm going to India in less than six months (eek!) and although I won't actually be by myself, I'll still be with new people, in a new environment, challenging myself and learning new things - I can't wait to go. I'm unbelievably excited to see how the expeditions goes and what I get out of it.

I'll then be embarking on a whole year of travelling (and working to raise money for flights, at some point..) before I start my first real grown-up job in September 2016. I'll be going on my own, mostly, as my friends are either still at uni, starting jobs or not interested, which is why I found Maia's blog so interesting and inspiring. I'm going to have an awesome time. Keep following my blog (which will change its name when I get back from the Himalayas) to follow my journey of countries, friends, food, stupid ideas and self-discovery..

What's this blog all about?

This blog is to share information about my upcoming expedition to India, in July 2015, with the British Exploring Society (part of the Royal Geographical Society). The expedition will be to the Ladakh region of northern India, in the Himalayas.

My name is Anna, and firstly I'd like to thank you for visiting my blog! I'm currently trying to raise funds for this adventure, so I'd like to create an honest picture of what you're supporting and to get you involved in this journey. I'll also be posting about the training I'm doing, and after the expedition I'm sure there will be hundreds of photos!

This expedition will take me from my home in the South of England to the area around Leh, in the Indian Ladakh region of the Himalayas. I'll be on the Trainee Leader programme, so I'll also attend three training weekends over a nine month period prior to the expedition to India, where I'll continue my training as part of the wider British Exploring expedition. The expedition will be six weeks long, and I'll be going out as part of the advance party. I'll also have a de-brief/assessment weekend in the November after we've all returned to England.

The expedition will involve experiencing the unique culture in the remote and unspoilt region of India we'll be visiting, as well as scientific research at the third highest weather station in the world. We'll investigate the effects of climate change on the region, feeding data to the British Antarctic Survey. We'll also be trekking and climbing up to 6,000m and sleeping beside the Dalai Lama's palace!

Of course, exciting expeditions like this can't happen without financial arrangements. The expedition will cost around £3,700, excluding the cost of flights and kit, and the flight will be in the region of £1000. I've managed to raise £1000 so far, so I'm now aiming to raise the remaining £3,700 - no mean feat!

To raise money so far, I've been:

- working in London all summer as a consultant in a professional services firm (summer holiday sacrifice!)

- saving up all money earned through activities with the OTC (Officers' Training Corps) at university in Durham

- saving money on heating at uni and wearing five jumpers at once (actually that's probably the same as most students..)

- babysitting in my village at home

I'll keep posting on this blog with more information about the expedition and what I'm doing to fundraise.

Thanks for reading!