Leaving Edinburgh- my picnic party, my blessing and my last meal

1. My Leaving Picnic

As a sort of a farewell gathering I organised to meet with a bunch of friends in the meadows today (Friday 21st August) for a picnic, some frisby and general banter.

I decided that the food wouldn't be the main focus so got some rolls, big pack of crisps some juice and a couple of cakey things so if people were hungry they could tuck in...even if they were just peckish.

Having a party, to me, marks the importance of certain events in people's lives- in this case my impending departure. People were invited to picnic from 1.30pm onwards, most didn't arrive until quite a bit later than 2.30pm and did so in trickles. Also, as some left others arrived.

A little book provided an arena for people to write a little goodbye message when later I will stick a picture beside to match the faces to the words; having read them I was very touched. A very good friend of mine had arranged to get a T-shirt printed (unexpectedly) and gave it to me as a present. On the front of it a picture of us lying on the grass in Hyde Park Earlier this summer screwing up our faces in response to the sun. (see above)

I really enjoyed the gathering and felt very supported by the warmth and well wishes of my friends and also really appreciated that although a number of them don't know each other they all got talking and gelled, in some ways bonded together by separately knowing me but also by their own personalities and enthusiasm for people.

Everybody sat in a large and slightly odd shaped circle in the meadows which was marked with a little Mauritian flag (which became increasingly broken as more and more people came, waved it and planted it in the ground with pride... not careless- just enthusiastic!) Many p

eople brought food with them which was much appreciated by hungry hoards of friends... and a small group of 'party crashers' who we allowed to sit with us as they wanted to play frisby.

It was strange to think that when I said goodbye to many of my friends here it would be another year to wait to see them again. I felt glad, in a way, that I had already said goodbye to a number of very important people in my life as although it was emotional it was not too much to bare. And also all of the goodbyes did not come at once... thank goodness... I don't know if I would have been able to handle that.

At one point two of my friends and I went to have a shot on the bumper cars as there was a bit fair style thing going on very near our picnic area. On our way back from bumper cars the heavens opened up, as they often do in Scotland, and we ran back to find that many people had packed their things away and were brandishing- in some cases broken- umbrellas. By this point it was about 7pm and the climax of the gathering had been reached, so it was a good time to be on our merry way.

2. My Blessing

The last time I went to my church, Currie Baptist Church, I was blessed by the minister and one of the elders (I'm not sure if I can really call him that- he's not old). They took me up in front of everybody and got me to share a little bit about what my plans were for my year in Mauritius; my church had been incredibly supportive with fundraising and helped arrange an 'April Fool's Quiz Night' in their meeting hut and also a sponsored walk across the Forth Road Bridge- both of the events together raising about 800GBP.

I was already feeling quite emotional on the way to church as it was my last day in Currie, my hometown, and the thought of leaving everybody behind (Note: I admit to being a little melodramatic as I know that I'll only be away for a year) was a bit much to bare.

The minister and the elder (Kenny) stood either side of me and held my hands and began to pray for me, thanking God for me and my desire to spend a year abroad working with children, for being a part of the church community in Currie and wishing me well on my way and that I'd be safe in his (God's hands). I could hear the love in their voices both for me and for the father and was overcome with emotion and and began to cry...which looking back on it is slightly embarrassing... it wasn't just the prayer- it was the thought that I wouldn't be back for a while.

Anyway, I felt the blessing from them was a very important part of the process of leaving for me and I'm very grateful for the kind words spoken.

3. My Last Meal at Home

To mark the last night of being at home for a while my family had an Indian meal together.

The food was delicious.

I love my family... and our rabbit!

Excitement and Anticipation

Hi Guys,

Sorry for writing such a massive first blog. I got carried away directing it at current and future PT vols so they could get a good idea of training and the likes.

But I recently discovered that blogs are actually meant to be little updates, the focus being on 'LITTLE'- I write in capitals to emphasise the point.

So,  I've decided that if you want to hear things in lots of detail with lots of passion and enthusiasm you can write letters to me when I'm away which I will read, re-read and cherish (and reply to)! I'll post my home address when I have it.

Also, after feeling very anxious about leaving I felt a massive surge of encouragement and excitement yesterday thanks to reading the blog of one Lizzie Beattie who has just returned from CEDEM. She speaks of Mauritius; the home, the children, the people with such fondness that I had trouble sleeping through my excitement. (See-  http://www.spanglefish.com/sendlizzietohelpafrica/) PICTURED ABOVE- Lizzie.

I've planned a little leaving get together for Saturday and have started to tidy/gut/organise my pit (bedroom). Will post pictures when it's sorted, and of the party if there are any nice ones.

That's all for now,

Charlie x