Going...Going...

---

Getting ready to leave. Sad in many ways as, you have to admit that Autumn is seriously one of the four best seasons of the year in England.

I have left a place that I loved before, but that time I knew that I would never be truly returning. That time my photo's consisted of giraffes, elephant, rhino and huge great stone ruins. This time I know I will be back so instead of excitement mixed with fear and sorrow, I have excitement mixed with fear -SO MUCH BETTER!!

Having given up my much loved job I have had some interesting moments. This is one of them.....

It happened in the bank...

Tim and I had decided to open another bank account so that we had some options when travelling - if one card didn’t work another might. So there we were sitting in New Bank opposite a sweet young man whose job it was to help us set up the account. Vijay, having finished with Tim, looked at me and smiled.

“So madam, how would you describe your employment status?”

I looked blankly at him. I didn’t have a clue. What could I say - Employment Status: still-recovering-from-last-nights-leaving bash. Only just unemployed.

“Madam?”

I looked helplessly at Tim.

Tim looked at the list options. “Home-maker” he offered.

For a second I was relieved. What a relief I had category I could fit into. Then I paused... I wasn’t feeling quite so friendly.

I glared at Tim and Vijay

“What do you mean - HOME MAKER”

“Well, Mrs Pope - do you have a job?”

“No”

“Then you are a Home Maker” Click went his mouse.

“Whoa - wait a minute. Are you telling me that when I had a job I wasn’t making a home? Are you saying that when I was working 9-6, then doing the week’s shopping on the way home, then coming home and cooking the evening meal, cleaning the house and organising the family I WASN’T MAKING HOME? Is that what you are both saying?”

The two men looked at each other. I waited.

Tim tried first “Yes you were, you were making a home, but you also had a job and that was a the major category”

“So you are saying that the work I did for home and family was not important?”

“Oh yes, Mrs Pope” Vijay dived in eagerly “It was very important. Most important. But for the bank it is easier to take the job”

I was not to be placated and stared at both of them. They looked down. Finally Vijay said “Mrs Pope what would you like me to put on the form?”

“You can put Home Maker, but when I get a job you can keep it Home Maker.” What was there to say. I had to have a category. Then I thought for a bit and spoke again wiping off the relieved expressions on both men’s faces.

“Only it isn’t true. I am not a Home Maker. “

Both men looked at each other. The kind of we-men-are-rational-but we must-pretend-understanding-of-this-delightful-creature-of-no ration look.

“What is that I putting on the form then, please Mrs Pope”

“Travel Maker. That is what I am. Put that down”

“It isn’t on the list for me. There isn’t a Travel Maker. Please Mrs Pope.”

Vijay’s brown eyes pleaded. Tim’s eyes smiled at me. How was I going to resist. Compromise was reached.

“Home Maker in the tick box. In the Note Box - Always was making a home even when making a salary and now is TRAVEL MAKING and leaving Home Making behind for a little while along with salary making both of which are important.”

Vijay seemed pleased to say goodbye to me. My husband just took my hand. I guess there are reasons why the man married me! Let’s face it - I’m a bloody good TROUBLE MAKER.

The Backpack!

What a ridiculous piece of equipment. You can get hardly anything into a packback that is light enough for you to carry. That is all I have to say about a backpack.

Hiking Boots

What is the deal with Hiking Boots - why don't they come with high heels? Why?




Nail Varnish

Why can't I take Nail Varnish?

Accomodation

What do you mean it isn't Five Star All the Way? What? Not even part of the Way?


Okay - let's just think this whole thing through again. Shall we................?

---