Fundraising in the sun- and some very large pumpkins

Some reflections on the last so far

When I first compiled the list back in 2012 I had specific pictures in mind. Sunny climates, large-scale monuments, exciting wildlife and new challenges, all enjoyed in the company of friends old and new.

It was an exhaustive list and one which I realised, even then, I would never complete in the time available. (At least not without a sudden influx of cash!) To have achieved some of the goals has of course been wonderful. But just as important, for me, has been the journey itself. Many of these entries have been about progressing towards the event; running half a marathon, skiing two of three new areas, starting to write or learn or explore.

Perhaps it’s the fault of my imagination, but few of the experiences have matched the pictures I had in my head. However, that has very much been a good thing. ‘Getting published’, for example, was not about a shiny book cover on the shelf of Waterstones or a Booker Prize. (There is still time for these!) It has involved the discovery of a whole new world of writing: blogs, columns, short stories and even social networking. Recently I was even called upon to deliver a writing workshop. In sharing my learning, I again remembered what has been so fabulous about this list: the people I have shared it with, the surprises I have had, the feeling not only of accomplishment, but of there still being so much, still, to achieve.

What a journey to be sharing with some of my very favourite people.

Number 36: Work/volunteer abroad

Being offered the opportunity to work in America for ten days was definitely one of the big surprises in the list so far. Working for a small charity with a very restricted budget, there was no way I would have considered being able to travel as part of my job. When the Trustees suggested I accompany my boss to Washington and Alexandria, I felt slightly surreal. America? For work? Really??

The trip came in the middle of an extraordinary month, which started with a half marathon (my second), progressed through a gala dinner with Alexander McCall Smith and finished with delivering two workshops at the Scottish fundraising conference. With so much on I had little time for the reality of the trip to sink in. The day before it suddenly hit me. I was going to a destination I hadn’t chosen, on a flight someone else had booked, to stay with someone I’d met once, to do ... well, what needed doing. As someone who normally organises their holidays with a spreadsheet at least three months in advance, I was right out of my comfort zone. 80% excited. 10% terrified. But it was quite a big 10%.

As usual my comfort lay in writing. I bought a sexy moleskine journal to record my thoughts and experiences while travelling, as well as my work notes. There is something very reassuring about a moleskine. This reassurance turned out to be much needed as I arrived at Edinburgh airport to be told I was currently ‘on the waiting list’ for my connection to London. These are exactly the words a stressed lady needs to hear. I was given a voucher for free coffee and muffin. Normally I love a free cake. As a substitute for a flight, it ain’t much cop. I turned to the moleskine and poured my concerns into it. It didn’t respond much, but somehow the process of writing the experience down made it a bit less worrying.

As with my previous lost-luggage-flight-connection-bomb-scare experience in Paris, all ended well, but it wasn’t the start I would have chosen.

When I added ‘work or volunteer abroad’ to this list, I perhaps had in mind my previous experience at an animal rescue centre in the Australian rainforest. America was very different, but equally rewarding, tiring and enjoyable.

I am eternally grateful to the family who put me up (and put up with me) for ten days. Having a base that was a living home, complete with young children, was at sometimes a challenge, but it was a much more real experience than staying in a characterless hotel.

The house was based in one of the most attractive areas of North Virginia, on the original estate of Mount Vernon, George Washington’s home. Eagles circled in a blue sky above enormous trees. In the times between working and socialising with the family, I was able to rewind by walking along the nearby cycle path and admire the autumnal leaves: custard yellow, fiery red and burnt orange.

On my day off I took the Metro to spend the day in Washington. Uncertain as to whether I’d ever get back there, I did a self-guided walking tour of various memorials. Each had its own unique character, the piercing needle of Washington, the fountains of World War Two, the peaceful Reflecting Pool, the enormous Lincoln Memorial. More sobering were the Vietnam, Korean and Martin Luther King memorials. All provoked very differing emotions, although I began to feel very aware of my lack of knowledge of American History.

I could spend another 500 words at least talking about Old Town Alexandria, Mount Vernon, Arlington Cemetary or that possum I spied in the park. I almost filled my Moleskine diary with various reflections. There were times when I definitely felt out of my comfort zone, but I’m sure that did me some good.

Balancing work across the UK and US was tiring. Waking child-assistedly early I was able to coordinate communications and activities back home via email, despite being 5 hours behind. I was hugely aware of how much the trip meant and how much depended on it, so spent much time planning, contacting, researching and planning again. Every meeting, communication or gathering we had or made in the States had to count. We only had one chance to get it right.

However, my one overriding memory is of how welcome I was. Every single person I met went out of their way to make me feel at home. (Except the security man at the Air and Space Museum who just shouted ‘bag’ at me, making me wonder whether he was mugging me or deriding my appearance.) From those I met at work events to the family I stayed with, the churches I attended and the people who shared my morning unloading pumpkins from a big lorry (one of my favourite experiences) every single person was lovely.

From a work point of view, the trip definitely paid off. In addition, for me, travelling to another country and experiencing a very different culture was a reminder that my way of seeing the world is not the only way. I took many lessons home.

I have to admit, sitting on the veranda drinking beer in the sunshine having just had a number of cheques handed to me did make me wonder... might there be a fundraising job in America???

For now, back to Edinburgh with memories to cherish.