Now with more baggage!

It’s funny how life can mirror itself. For example, after talking to a friend a few years ago who shared a love of good coffee with me, I made a small decision. I decided that when I got my first ‘grown-up’ job, I would spend my first pay cheque on a good coffee machine. Nothing fancy and nothing flashy: just a nice coffee machine that would add a little extra to my mornings. Sadly that never happened.

My first ‘grown-up’ job was in Nepal and due to regular power-cuts, I ended up deciding that I should get a cafétiere instead. It still does the same job in that it creates a nice coffee but it wasn't quite right. It wasn't what I had promised myself. I had settled for it, rather than longed for it. However, due to a sudden development, I will now be able to finally make this disappointment up to myself. The twist is that instead of using my first cheque of my first job, I’m going to use the last cheque of my first job.

Indeed, this coffee story was just a roundabout way of informing everyone (if you hadn't seen it already) that I will be changing jobs in the near future. Not only that but I will be moving back to Scotland as well!!! Yes, after almost two and a half years, I will be returning back to Scotland for my new job. So put the 15^th of March in your diary (or don’t - Ed) as it’s the day that I return and finally get my coffee machine! Prepare to be bombarded with hugs and drinks Scottish people.

As excited as I am about returning to the UK (and a little sad about leaving Nepal), I’m not going to write a full post about this. This is just an announcement but don’t worry: before I leave, I will make sure to write a proper goodbye to Nepal. What I will say though is thank you for the memories Nepal and TBC. You've always kept it interesting.

Until then, I’m just going to start boxing up everything I own. Again. How I loathe packing but I am getting pretty damn good at it! In other news, it looks like one of my final responsibilities in Nepal will be visiting the remote Kingdom of Bhutan. If only all goodbyes were so sweet.  More on that later.


Pick of the Week

BrewDog – I don’t think I've ever recommended a beer before, let alone a brewery but any brewery that creates a protest beer which they then send to Vladamir Putin deserves it! It helps that they make quirky and delicious beers as well. Check them out though I will be surprised (and a little disappointed) if you haven’t already.


Music of the Week

This is one of the best covers I have ever heard and certainly the most upbeat one as well.  Seriously, this cheers me up like no other.  Rob Zombie - We're an American Band is a brilliant song on a brilliant album.  Check it out.

A short post this week but perhaps more dramatic than most! Now then, if you excuse me, I need to start looking out boxes and an umbrella.  

New Directions

Over the past year or so, I’ve watched my friends and family move forward with their lives, whether it is professional or social. Every week or so, I’ve seen someone else take a step-closer to their goals in their lives and I’ve started to think about how great it is for them to do this and how much better their lives should be because of it. I’ve known some of the sacrifices people have had to make and risks they’ve had to take to get to where they want to be and it’s great to see it work out for them.

As such, I decided it was about this time that I put some effort in and try and take a step closer to some of my goals: starting with this blog. I’ve decided that I’m going to use the entry this week to talk about the direction of One-way Ticket over the next year, partly so my regulars know what will be happening in the future and partly so I’m accountable for my actions as well. Over the course of the year, I plan on three major changes to my blog, which are listed below.

1. A brand spanking new websiteOnce again, I’m going to delve into the world of web pages and try to design a nice new One-way Ticket website (or at the very least, a wordpress website). If that fails, I may pay to have one designed. Why do I want a new site designed? For sections! Sweet, sweet sections. This actually partly relates to point 2 but I want to be able to split my posts into different categories, each with their own section for easy browsing. For example, Projoct Atoll will have a section and travel will have a section. This leads nicely into point 2 which is…
   
   
2. Better content!
   It’s one of my New Year resolutions and it must be stuck to or I’ll be struck by lightning or break a mirror or something! On a serious note, I plan to improve the content and start adding more items during the week, as opposed to only having one post. Not necessarily every week (I do have a full-time job people) but I want to start adding some of my holidays plans/schedules to the website (more on this soon) and I would also like to add some of the recipes I use each week (to share the joy of cooking). Not only this but I want to start spending more time on the quality of the posts e.g. planning a little bit better and spending more time proof-reading (in the perhaps vain attempt to make your reading a little more bearable). Time to start reading my new Travel Writing guide then! And yes, I realise that another list doesn’t exactly strengthen my argument but it is a necessary evil.
   
   
3. MarketingOh yes, I fully plan to throw myself into this dirty little web to help ensure One-way Ticket attracts even more readers! Of course, I need to plan this a little bit and I want to do it creatively rather than just throw my money at the problem, but either way: a marketing campaign shall be created. Watch this space!
   
   

So why do this for a blog that isn’t that bad, to be honest and stills get an okay amount of views (for what it is). Well, that’s because my purpose for the blog is going to change slightly and these are all small steps towards a goal of mine: a functioning and successful travel website, as opposed to just a blog. Oho, a plot twist!

You see, the seeds for this were planted several years ago, just before I travelled to Hong Kong with my family. As I was on holiday and didn’t have much else to do, I hand-wrote a guide that summed up all the various guidebooks and travel website information into one handy and portable notebook, as well as showed key pieces of information. And I enjoyed it! Since then, I’ve always planned out my holidays and enjoyed it. Whilst it took a long time, it was incredibly useful to know and it occurred to me that others may find this useful as well, especially for those who may not have the time to fully plan. The website would have three main points:

1. It will provide advice on places to visit and eat. Yes, this is cliché and there are many like it but this one is mine (name that quote people!). However, I honestly don‘t believe that a travel site could exist without it. Plus, whilst I would allow feedback from tourists, I would look for local input as well, to help get more local restaurants and locations mentioned (rather than just ones that tourists are brave enough to enter). I really believe that if you travel to another country, that you should try and experience the local lifestyle, even just a little. Plus, this would not be the main focus of the website, it would be a resource.
   
   
2. No, the real focus would be itinerary planning. For a small fee, we would plan out your itinerary for you, based on the holiday you want! If you wanted great beaches in Thailand, we would give you the best travel route of beaches in Thailand and how to get to them. Want a tour of Japan’s top wooden castles? No problem. You give us the length of trip, information about the trip (e.g. any places you want to see, if you want to eat local etc) plus average budget and we’ll give you a detailed itinerary that provides you with places to visit and eat (based on your suggestions), sorted by ease of travel (i.e. we will make sure not to book visits to locations hundreds of miles away). Also, we’ll provide useful information such as up-to-date ticket prices and how to get there with different transport. The best bit? It’s still your holiday! You’re not paying hundreds (if not thousands) of pounds to be told you’re only allowed an hour here or that you must go there. Ours is a guide not a contract and if you want to take a detour, great! In fact, let us know and we will update our records!
   
   
3. Finally, and in the long-term, I would aim to start providing local guides for tourists at an affordable price as well, to give advice and provide some insight. Again, not somebody who charges you an absolute fortune just to tell you minimal information and then tell you when you need to leave. They would be there to help you and make sure your trip is the best yet!
   

So there we go, I’ve laid bare my upcoming plans for the next year and for the future as well! Let me know what you think, as all advice is welcome! Ooft, kind of text heavy this week!


Pick of the Week

Le Petite Patisserie - Local business time (though not local for me)!  If you're in Ayr and if you're hungry (hell, even if you're not), then make sure to drop by Le Petite Patisserie!  Found at the Cow Wynd, this bakery has some of the best looking cakes I have ever seen!  If your mouth isn't watering when you view them, I'm pretty sure I can legally pronounce you dead.  The diet can start...well, after a couple of swans...


Music of the Week

Thank you to Michael for this week’s song! A little obscure and one I haven’t listened to in ages but here it is: Auf der Maur -  Followed the Waves.  In his words 'goosebumps'.

Well that is me for this week.  Sorry that it is so text heavy but hopefully you're going to be excited by the upcoming developments!  Until next week!

The Valentine's Day Special

*Disclaimer* The following post is brought to you in good humour and should be taken with a light-hearted approach, especially as the author will most likely be spending his Valentine’s Day weeping into a bowl of ice-cream whilst writing love poems (Ha, the wimp - Ed). If this offends you, I really would disconnect off the internet as you’re going to be in for a real shock. Happy Valentine’s Day when it comes everyone


So, it’s that time of year again where the terminally single like me (or newly single) want to shy away from society and avoid couples and their happiness. Indeed, it’s Valentine’s Day on Friday! I had another post planned for this week but I’ve decided that in the spirit of Valentine’s Day, I’m going to suggest some alternatives to wallowing in self-pity and drowning yourself in ice-cream this Friday night! The following suggestions are suitable for everyone: male, female or otherwise!


Join a cult
If you’re still looking for company on Friday, what better way than to get it than joining a cult? It’s like a family and a marriage, all rolled into one and all you need to do to join is pay! If you can get past the strange dresses, quirky rituals and lack of freedom, then it’s a perfect alternative! They’ll be with you forever!


Write a Haiku
Let’s face it: in the world of Valentine clichés, the love poem is at the top! So this year, why not write a bleak and despair-filled haiku! It’s cultural and appropriate! Try it now:

No ice cream for me
on this sad and empty day
It melted like tears

I never said you had to be good at it…


Lose the game!
Ha! You just lost the game on Valentine’s Day!


Make new friends
You know what’s more romantic than an intimate date? Having a complete stranger joining your table and sharing your food! Yes, if you’re alone and happen to be at a bar or restaurant, join up with any couples that you see! It gives them something to talk about and I can assure you, they will appreciate company!


Stay in bed all day
This can be fun as well, especially as February is still cold! It’s like a warm hug that goes on forever…and everyone likes hugs! Just remember that your bed loves you and never judges you.


Ask someone out!
Well, it is Valentine’s Day after all. The worse they can do is say no…or laugh. Laughing is much worse but that won't happen. Probably.


Ask a blog writer out!
Just saying…it’s nice to be wined and dined every now and again


Learn an extinct language
Impress your friends by reciting your favourite song in Apalachee (18^th century) or Sumerian (early 2^nd Millennium BC). That would be really amazing actually…


Correct the grammar of graffiti around your local town or city
It would be like a love letter to people who appreciate good grammar! You’ll be inundated with well-written cards! Plus it’s a good deed! You’re making society a little better and spreading the love to your entire community!


Become a naked hiker
Because this is a thing it seems.


So there we go…a few suggestions of how you can spend your Valentine’s days if you’re single, so don't sit and mope!



Pick of the Week

Kids on the Slope – Put some swing into your day with a story of unrequited love and jazz, set against the backdrop of Japan in the 1960s: this is one of the best anime series I have seen in a long time. It follows Kaoru, Sentaro, Ritsuko, Brother Jun and Yurika as they explore their feelings about each other, whilst jamming in the basement of the local record shop. It's not all an upbeat tempo either...it deals with abandonment, self-sacrifice and betrayal throughout, which really help to give some depth to the characters. Finally combine the story with great art-work, an amazing soundtrack and music battles means that you should not miss this.



Music of the Week

Continuing with the Valentine’s Day theme, this week’s song is another from the ‘Kids on the Slope’ soundtrack and is called ‘But not for me’. Enjoy.

So there we go...the Valentine's Day special!  Hope you enjoyed it and hope that you all get a card from that person you like!  Until next week.

Project Atoll Update 6: Beer with Friends and Tea with a View

So anyone else feel like February has just flown right in and January has just disappeared? Not really sure where January went but it's gone, without even a note to say goodbye! Typical! Oh well, can't do too much about time (yet – Evil Genius Ed), so may as well continue with my entry!

It's been a very busy few weeks, with lots of partner visits and as such, I don't have too much to write about, unless you want to read about partner policies and quality assurance meetings? No? Didn't think so. As such, I feel like it is now a great time for a Project Atoll – Those Paths We Walk update as it has been almost 4 months since the last one! Before we get to that though, I do have one incident to share that happened when I was showing a university partner to some Nepal sites.

On that day, we had decided to travel to Nagarkot, an area atop a hill with a great view of the surrounding countryside, as it is actually out the city.  Now, we arrived at the place and had a nice look around, I climbed to the top of a viewing tower (climbing a ladder in a suit - classy) and we had a nice time. But that wasn't the fascinating bit...though it was fun as I hadn't been there yet.

No, it was what came next that will stick in my head for a long time. As we started to drive back, it was decided that we would grab a quick drink before heading down the hill. We turned into a large open grass area atop the hill and went to the small building there and ordered some coffees and drank them overlooking the view below. Now then, that was amazing in itself but what really caught my attention was that we were given pristine white cups and saucers to drink from. Here we are, on the top of a large hill, next to a cafe that was little more than a stand and we're drinking from pristine cups and saucers. Not sure if I've ever felt so classy (or British) in my life. Astounding.

So onto 'Those Paths We Walk' and it has been developing nicely! I've been concentrating on script writing mostly but I also have begun to taking notes for future amendments as well. As of now, I am on page 120 of the project (44 pages of script: the rest are character details and scene outlines), all the major characters (bar one) have now been introduced and I'm just about to finish scene 8: the scene where Rinoa and Curtis first meet and realise that they are living next door to each other.

Now, this is an important scene as not only does it introduce these two characters to each other but it also begins to hint at issues or problems for these characters that may arise in the future. It really lays out the future of where the story will go.

Being a scene where the two are just sitting around talking with a few beers, it's a challenge to ensure that the flow of conversation is correct. It can't be too deep and profound, as they've just met but at the same time, it has to be relevant and interesting, to keep your attention. What I usually do for scenes full of dialogue such as this, is imagine my friends and I in the character roles and think about what we would say in the same situation. Here's hoping that this works well.

Before I finish, I want to reveal one aspect of the story that this scene relates to. If you've been following my updates, you will know that Rinoa is in a band. However, it turns out the their band is an instrumental band and that they are now looking for a vocalist to join them (I won't reveal the reasons). One part of this scene actually examines the possibility of Curtis joining the band. Will he? Guess you'll need to watch it to find out!


Pick of the Week

Bamboo Steamer – Healthy eating is everywhere these days and getting a bamboo steamer is a great start. Boil some water, chop up some vegetables, add them to the steamer and leave until cooked. Simple! And don't worry about the taste either: steamed vegetables are great when done well and you can add different flavours by adding ingredients to the water or vegetables, or you can make a dip or sauce as well! Plus it isn't just vegetables.  You can cook meat, fruit and dumplings as well!  Hell, I've even seen a recipe for a bread roll.  Get one today and add a new cooking method to your repertoire. Great flavour and healthy food...you won't regret it!


Music of the Week

This week, I'm going for the opening of a new anime I've started, 'Kids on the Slope'. I'll talk about it next week but the song really caught my attention.  I don't know why but the song really gets to me and I'd love for you all to listen to it.

Well, it's a short entry this week but it did what I wanted it to! So, I'll see you next week with a longer entry!