Training for Peru (including giving up coffee!)...and your help needed
I haven't thought much about Peru this weekend, mainly because I know we're supposed to hear about our travel dates this week. I know once I know that, I'll feel more comfortable and more in control of the situation!
I know I don't need a visa, which is great. I've booked in to get my vaccinations at the end of the week, to be on the safe side. Once I know dates and itinerary, I'll know whether or not I'd get any chance to go to the Amazon, and if so, then get a yellow fever vaccination.
I'm thinking I'll need to 'train' a bit before I go. I'm not the most athletic of people (by any means), but I've definitely been avoiding the gym for a few months (and still paying for it--the gym, I mean), and if nothing else, with my lack of athleticism and my asthma, I figure it's best to work my cardiorespiratory system that extra bit harder, seeing as I'll be in the Andes and potentially hiking. Hence, as I'm writing this, I've just finished my tae bo exercise DVD (Billy Blanks is great!) and am waiting to dry off a bit before I shower.
I probably need an asthma review before I go as well, just in case I need some backup. I'm just hoping I won't need to go to the doctor every week before I go--vaccinations, asthma, altititude sickness tablets...anything else?
Yes, the packing. One small backpack is my aim (hey, I've gotten around Japan twice with that backpack), but I have to make sure I have room for all of the gifts I plan on bringing back for friends and family.
So, there are plenty of preparations to be had, including making sure I've got insect repellent, sunscreen, and, according to one of the websites, gear for cold weather. It sounds like it's incredibly cold in Peru at the moment, so I might need to be prepared for winter.
In addition to the preparations I'm making, Chi-chi (who is the amazing woman behind this project), in addition to all of us seven 'travel companions', need your help. The goal of 7 Wonders in 7 Days is to support seven charities by raising £777,777 to be split between the charities. The charities are: Open Doors, Young Minds, Victory Outreach Manchester, Sport Relief, Feed the Minds, Alzheimer's Research Trust and DiabetesUK, all of which need donations from the public to continue to do their work and research. £777,777 is a large amount, but even with a donation of £5 (or about $8), you can help make a difference.
Donations from outside the UK are accepted (I checked!!), so no matter where you are, do give what you can to support these seven charities and their work. £5--that's about a large cappuccino/latte/americano and a muffin/croissant/pastry. We blow that amount in one go without thinking about it (speaking as someone who spends close to £7 a week on coffee, I know what I'm talking about); so, why not put a bit of thought into that £5, just once this week, and help make a difference? Writing this makes me think that I need to put my money where my mouth is, too, and do the same. It may not be a big deal to some, but if I give up my daily double macchiatos for even three days, that's £5 savings. And that IS a challenge for me. But, I'll do it, and you'll know (if you're following me on Twitter) if I'm living up to my end of the bargain, because I have been checking in with foursquare, trying to get a mayorship at my regular cafe.
It's Monday, though, so I will be getting my coffee as fortification to start off the week. I'm up for the challenge, though...I hope you are, too.
Donate via: www.7wondersin7days.com
