RA RA RA... RALEIGH SPIRIT! !

I am counting down the days to my Raleigh International Expedition to Borneo.

On 2nd July 2010, I will leave the comforts of home to challenge my limits in rural areas of Sabah for 10 weeks.

I will be involved in 3 weeks of community service, 3 weeks of environmental work, and 3 weeks of adventure stuff.

I asked myself a thousand times before I made this decision.

Do I really want to spend my whole summer vacation doing this?
Can I survive for 10 weeks without any modern technology?
Can I get along with the other venturers (who would be mostly Brits) when I don't even have many Brit friends while studying in London?
Being physically inclined as I am, would my team mates see me as a burden when hiking?
Would the buildings or bridges that I helped to build be hazardous to the people who use it?

Most of all, CAN I JUST SHIT IN A HOLE DUG ON THE GROUND
out in the open with insects buzzing and possibly a squirrel watching?
When I went for the introduction week, I tried my best not to use the 'hole' (Ok la, its proper name is 'long drop') for 2 days... But I don't think I can avoid using it for 10 weeks XD


Now, you'd probably ask why in the world did I chose to do it.
The answer is,




I AM PROBABLY CRAZY
as with all the other Raleighians.

But let me tell you one thing,
crazy people have the most fun, and do the most exciting things.




I was joking, I assure you, Raleighians are very sane people. But we do have lots of fun and exciting things going on :)


The thing is, I have always wanted to help underprivileged people (honestly). I once volunteered with World Vision, doing some super boring admin work.
This is different.
Its my only chance to build a school/water gravity feed system with my own bare hands (Not literally, I will have hammers and nails... >.<).
The best part is, I get to see how my contributions are really leaving an impact on the local people.

This is the first time in a long time to step out of my comfort zone, to do something totally out of my league.


Am I scared?
Very.

Am I prepared to take the challenge?
HELL YEAH.


Want to learn more about Raleigh International? Click here

Alternatively, here is a more interesting blog about a previous Borneo expedition early this year. Every time I read it, I get all hyped up to go :) Give it a try!



As far as preparations go, I just brought my air ticket to Kota Kinabalu yesterday (which cost me a bloody 640 ringgit), have not brought any of the equipment needed (Waiting for equipment briefing), and have not got any of the vaccinations required (going to Dr. Kung's clinic tmr!).

Hopefully everything will be done by next week.

For some reason, my mom is extremely worried that I will encounter a crocodile, tiger, ____(enter name of deadly animal here). TOUCH WOOD.