India 2013 - day 1!

I went to India 5 months ago, and so far have only written one post about it. Bad blogger. So, in an attempt to put that right, here's my account of our first day...

We flew into Delhi in 2 groups - Polly and Jenny first, then Gemma, Hannah and I around 6 hours later. My colleagues at Idex had arranged a driver for our time in the North, and he'd picked up Pol and Jen to take them to a guesthouse to relax and wait for us to fly in. We landed and were met in arrivals by the girls and smiley driver Ajay, and it was straight on the road to our first destination - Agra!

The journey to Agra took around 5 hours by car. It's also possible to take the train, which is a cheaper option and I'm told a lot of fun. We decided to go for the car however, as we were on a short timescale and wanted the convenience. We were also lucky to have the support of Ajay thanks to Idex, so it was the perfect option for our trip.

Arriving into Agra itself we got caught up in some hectic traffic - many, many cars, trucks and bikes all vying for a gap in the roads, and herds of cows being given right of way over any vehicles, while monkeys darted around eating bananas and jumping from rooftops. It was a crazy welcome to Agra, but when we arrived at our hotel, the Radisson blu (thank you for the travel agent rate rooms!) it was a calming contrast - beautiful and relaxing. We jumped straight in the pool and enjoyed some cocktails, which was to become a theme of our time there!

As a self confessed "cheapskate backpacker" the luxury of Radisson blu was a bit of a shock to my system! However, it was absolutely lovely and well worth the (not at all unreasonable) price we paid for our stay. Our rooms were fantastic - spacious, clean and with a well stocked bathroom and mini bar! The beds were ridiculously comfy and the free WiFi was very handy for keeping people back home updated (translation: jealous!) about our trip. We ate in the hotel both nights and the food was delicious - a poolside  bbq on night 1, and an Indian tasting feast on night 2 (my favourite meal of the stay). We also enjoyed the varied and tasty buffet breakfast, and several drinks in the hotel bar as well as by the pool. Finally, Polly, Jenny and I treated ourselves to a massage in the hotel spa (lush!) and we all made full use of the pool and sun loungers.

Our first day in India finished with us wearily calling it a night around 11:30, after chatting with a group from the British Legion who had brought their fathers and grandfathers to visit the battlefields in Northern India where they'd served in their youth. They were finishing their trip the way we were starting ours - a couple of nights chilling out at Radisson blu and a visit to the Taj Mahal. We headed to bed tired but excited for what the next day would bring...

 This is the life! The pool area, and Gemma and my room

I am lucky, many are not. My thoughts on International Women's Day

It's International Women's Day today, and I've seen various reactions to that on social media, one of them being "why is this still relevant?" As a woman (and feminist - say it loud and proud!) who lives in the UK, I appreciate that many of our battles have been won, and that I am very lucky. However, this is International Women's Day, and many women all over the world (some closer to home than you would expect) are not so lucky, and it's their rights that we still need to join together and fight for.

I'm not going to talk in statistics, but for example...

The right to choose if I continue with an unplanned pregnancy (or not)
If I fall pregnant unexpectedly, I can choose to have an abortion. I can make that choice with the support of counsellors and medical professionals and have the procedure in a safe, clean environment. There are many women around the world (and as close to home as Ireland) who do not have that option. Women seeking illegal and dangerous abortions, or flying far from home to have the procedure secretly, alone. Women having unwanted babies, and babies being born to women who resent and neglect them. I am lucky, many are not.

The right to vote (or not)
We all know of the Suffragettes and their fight to give women the vote. Those brave and trail blazing women are the reason I can walk into a room and put a cross in a box, why I can have my voice heard when my country elects it's government. Many women in countries around the world still don't have that right. I am lucky, many are not.

The right to drive (or not)
I have a driving licence, and I own a car. I can get in that car by myself, and drive without fear of being arrested. In Saudi Arabia (and maybe other countries, I don't know) it's illegal to do this. I am lucky, many are not.

The right to NOT have my genitals mutilated
My genitals are intact, I am not scarred. I can urinate and menstruate without pain, I can have (and enjoy) pain-free sex when I am ready to. There is no (or not) on this point, just a great big NOT. Female Genital Mutilation is happening, it is happening to British girls, and girls around the world. We should not turn a blind eye, or pretend it isn't happening because it is, and it's abuse. I won't rant any further, but please read up on this one, and join the fight. Daughters of Eve is a good place to start. I am lucky, many are not.

The right to choose who I marry (or not)
If I want to get married, I can. I can marry a man or woman, someone of any religion or race. If I don't want to get married, I don;t have to. I can stay single forever, or live happily with my partner in unmarried bliss, and no one will judge me or ostracise me. If I get married and change my mind, I can get a divorce and move on. There are many, many people all over the world who do not have these rights (and I acknowledge that not all of these people are women, but the point remains valid). Child brides, women forced to marry their rapist to preserve their "honour," forced marriage, gay couples unable to celebrate (or in some countries even publicly show) their relationships - the list is long, and sad. I am lucky, many are not.


I'm sure there are more points, and if I sat and researched I'm positive there would be many more things I could include in this post, but this is just my stream of thoughts put onto a page. The joy of blogging!

So, there you have it. Why I will be celebrating International Women's Day today, and supporting women's rights as an out and proud feminist throughout the year. Go, girls!

Three amazing women - my mom Chris (in blue) and her friends, my "aunties" Kate (in white) and Mary (pink) xxx

Save a Life in the New Year!

So I've been meaning to write this post for a while and a letter I received today reminded me, so here it is!

It's actually good timing - a new year, people making resolutions to do new things, be better, help out and so on... here's a very easy way to do all of that - give blood!

I've been giving blood for just over 4 years now, after being encouraged to do so by my friend Reg, who is a super donor and well on his way to 100 donations. It was one of those things I always thought I should do, but never got around to. Reg made sure I had no excuses, and came along with me that first time. Now I'm addicted - I give as regularly as I can (not as regularly as I'd like, as travelling to certain places means serving donor bans for safety) and have now made 11 donations so far.

I wanted to write a post about my experiences of blood donation to hopefully inspire people who are thinking about becoming a donor to take the plunge and go for it!

Blood sessions are held very regularly, and at lots of venues. I'm confident there's one near you which you can make an appointment for. You show up, fill in a questionnaire and take a drink of water or squash (being well hydrated makes the donation faster and easier). Then you're called to see a nurse who will go over the questionnaire with you, and check any answers which need elaborating on. It's nothing too intrusive - travel and medication questions and yes there are a couple about your sex life, but simple yes/no answers and no judgement.

If your questionnaire answers show that you're eligible to donate the nurse will take a pin prick sample of blood to test your iron levels. I just look away at this point, and it's easy and fast! If your iron levels are ok it's onto the next stage, when a donation bed is available.

When you're sat on the bed (which is actually now a swanky chair which tilts back to a lying down position!) the nurse will clean your arm and check your personal details, and then it's time to be hooked up. This is another point I don't look, and I know it's one of the main reasons a lot of people don't donate. What I'd like to say that is I don't like needles, I don't like pain and I'm a bit of a baby about both. But, the nurses are always lovely and very professional - I wiggle my toes and hum to the radio and it's all over and ready in a few seconds. If I can do it, so can anyone!

Once the needle is in it's time to relax and let your vein do it's thing. To speed up the process I clench and unclench my fist while listening to the radio, but I see people reading books, playing games, listening to their own music, chatting to a supporting friend, whatever floats your boat! It's about ten minutes until the donation bag is full and when the machine beeps to signal that it's ready, a nurse will come over to take the needle out (look away now!) and pop on your plaster. They'll sit you up nice and slowly in that swanky chair, and when you're ready it's over to the refreshment table!

I always go for a cup of tea and some custard cream biccies, but the choice is yours - tea, coffee, squash, crisps, all sorts of biscuits, chocolate... the refreshment table is a reward well worth the donation! They also have stickers (I love a "be nice to me, I gave blood" one on my jumper!) and you can grab a key ring with your blood type on too.

All in, I usually take an hour out for the donation process and always feel great afterwards. Plus, as you make more donations you work towards awards (I recently got my bronze!) which is a nice treat and makes you feel like you're in a little club. Plus, you can't beat the feel good buzz of knowing your donation could save a life.

I hope I've inspired someone reading this to give blood. It's a great thing to do if you're able, and I really recommend getting involved. You can find out more and sign up to a donor session here: www.blood.co.uk