We arrived in Paracas after a 4 hour bus journey yesterday. The hotel was really nice - a proper wooden cabin, and we headed straight out for dinner - fish as we were on the coast! I had sole with a lemon sauce, which was very nice, and I also tried cerviche, which is the local speciality of raw fish marinated in lemon juice - it was okay, bus I don´t think I´ll be trying it again! The bus journey was a bit of an eye-opener - it was completely the opposite to the westernised feel of Lima, with lots of [View Full Entry]

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We arrived in Nazca at 00.30, after lots of technical problems with the bus. After many hours trying, they decided they couldn't get the luggage hatch open (see yesterday's entry), so we were going to go to Nazca without our bags and have them sent on the following day.. Also an alternative bus had to drive from Nazca to pick us up - a 3 hour journey - so we were very late leaving! Just as we were about to depart they called to say thankfully they had managed to open the hatch on the bus - all but 2 of [View Full Entry]

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Thought I´d make the most of a free hour to update my blog again... I spent yesterday afternoon on a bus tour of Lima - it was a bit of a spur of the moment decision, but I´m so glad I did it, as it was really really good, and a good way to get to see all the main sites without trekking round town by myself. It was an open topped bus, and we had a guide telling us about everything as we went past - saw some amazing buildings, plenty of crazy driving (they have these little mini bus [View Full Entry]

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Well I arrived safe and sound after quite possibly the longest journey EVER... The BA flight was very nice - they moved me to a seat with extra legroom, and I had my own tv with films on demand - even managed to watch Gavin and Stacey...! So the 9 hours went pretty quickly. Miami airport was complete murder - absolutely crazy and busy, and took so long to get through customs etc. - customs was a bit scary actually - they took my fingerprints and questioned me very closely! - and it´s a bit of a dump to be honest.. [View Full Entry]

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So I'm off to Heathrow at 8.30 - feeling a definite combination of nerves and excitement! I can hardly believe I'm actually going after all this planning for so long.. I'm pretty much packed, although I do keep remembering things that I've forgotten to put in! Wondering what my tour group will be like in Peru, and how I'm going to handle not going to bed again until 11am British time tomorrow morning! I think I'm going to need to do some serious catching up on my sleep! Hopefully I'll have time for a quick lunch in the airport with Mum [View Full Entry]

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I thought I'd write some more details about my medical placement in Belize, and a post a few photographs of the clinic and surrounding area. I arrive at the Clinic on 2nd May for a four week placement. It is in Southern Belize, which is a poor area, with little access to healthcare. I will be placed with 4 other students - one girl from Birmingham, and the others from America and Canada (at least there will be one person there with similar knowledge to me!). The doctors at the clinic are American, although local people also work there, so I [View Full Entry]

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It's 5 days until I leave, and I'm starting to get excited now! Just the small matter of exams to get out of the way before I go... I'm pretty much prepared, with all my equipment taking up the spare bedroom at home, and my currency ordered - just want to get going now! I thought I'd write down a rough schedule here, so that people know where I'll be and when. I have also added a few pictures, just to give an idea of the things that I will be seeing in Peru - hopefully you will also get to [View Full Entry]

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