Exchange Outcast - I'm hitting up Montpellier, and speaking only French!

Thierry Henry is a living god, and he came from France so it's not as shite as some people think!

Want to read this post in a funky new language for a real cultural kick? Check out the all-new 'Translate' button and prepare for either utter confusion, or perhaps even increased understanding if I really can't write!

And so my petulant little fable begins..

Come this time in two days, I will probably be eating a hopefully delicious meal with a French-Vietnamese family (at least supposedly, judging by the second name Nguyễn which over 40% of the Vietnamese population share) in Montpelier, speaking only French and trying to comprehend a notoriously fast-paced language, all whilst attempting to remain in confident and polite prose. I'm not ready.

Apparently, this is Montpellier. It looks pretty nice, in the way that Bristol would look awesome if you took a really knockout picture. Still, if the sun's shining and it's lovely and warm, I am more than pleased.

Apparently we're going skating, bowling, and shopping in Avignon in the pleasant climate of Southern France, and I would be getting really excited, if it wasn't for the sudden realization that my language skills are going to be the laughing stock of the region.

Currently, I am committing the cardinal sin of procrastination from revising my speaking skills and topics right before both the trip and my A-Level French speaking exam. Where I felt prepared and on top of my game after my GCSE equivalent, I feel as if I have been submitted by some kind of nasty AQA accident this time around. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure I'll do fine and come out with a smile on my face, but the scale of what is to be achieved in the coming weeks is getting to me, as per usual.

Culinary heaven. Seriously, if they make Pho, I refuse to leave. Please, please be French Vietnamese.

Literally cannot wait to meet Marc, Claire, and co. I really did luck out getting the (hopefully) Vietnamese family, as we will have plenty to talk about on South East Asia, and Pho in particular. I'm hoping that this Marc fella is a real lad and will introduce me to his mates, and I really hope that Bennett aren't poxy and allow me time go out and hang out with them, maybe drink a couple of beers and have a great time. Guarenteed, I will be doing anything to not come across as the awkward exchange student who isn't really confident or willing enough to mix with anyone. That would suck; I have seen it happen too many times and don't want it to happen again.

I am the only guy going on this trip, which is both a ridiculous ratio, and a mixed blessing. Despite the barrage of females venturing outside of their homeland and, you know, without sounding too crude and nasty, 'feeling experimental', I will also be without fellow men to form a wolfpack, and will be relying on French guys to provide the banter.

They had better be real geezers; not introverted little scamps who write blogs about their feelings!
(Please note that the above sentence may contain a light dusting of sarcasm)

Bring on Montpellier! I'll take some cheeky snaps, bring the banter throughout, and show you guys soon. Perhaps even when I'm there! Peace out.


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Beginnings of a Backpacker

I have managed to uncover some great pictures of some of my first ventures outside of Europe. Hopefully this should give you a little insight into my original inspiration for wanting to work and travel worldwide, and my drive to make this a reality!

Vietnam - age 11
 Outline:
First trip outside of Europe, exploring Mui Ne and the legendary city of Saigon.

Atmosphere:
Mui Ne was an incredibly relaxed and idyllic coastal area full of vast and beautiful sand dunes, whereas Saigon was a bustling, humid Asian city with an incredible sense of vibrancy and purpose, as well as  richness in culture. The people never pronounced the ends of English words, with hilarious results (although massive respect goes to the majority of Vietnamese people for taking a wise variety of languages into their daily stride!)

Highlights:
Eating Pho at a roadside bar in Saigon watching the thousands of motorbikes go by.
Crocodile Fishing.
Shooting an AK47 as part of a guided tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels
Sand boarding down the Mui Ne dunes into a river.
Bizarre introduction to the Victor Hugo worshipping, beautifully costumed Cao Daism
Witnessing first hand the devastating effects of Napalm through the eyes of the Vietnamese War Museum

Photos:

Shown around Mui Ne sand dunes by local kids after the white kid's dollar!

Fresh cut with the local barber!

Chugging it down at the pool bar!

Sand boarding  is a fond memory of an incredible trip that left a mark on me for sure.

India - age 13
 Outline:
Spending a week at a Corbett Tiger Reserve in Ramnagar, Uttar Pradesh, then going on to hit the Golden Triangle of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur.

Atmosphere:
Corbett was a quiet, cultural venture in incredible heat with absolutely beautiful scenery and surroundings. Delhi was busy to a suffocating extent, with lively markets left right and centre, and many tour guides spotting our ethnicity and battling to 'show us around'. Agra was a place of incredibly interesting temples and religion, the awe-inspiring Taj Mahal, and a cushy five star hotel. I remember Jaipur as a kind of lovely, flowery haven, but I probably know nothing about the place seeing as all I can remember is swimming and having a  much-needed stellar cheese toastie!

Highlights:
Authentic Indian food was incredible, notably lashings Chapatti and aniseed candies. However, curry every day for breakfast lunch and dinner can wear thin, believe it or not, and I think at one point we went out to grab a cheeky Chinese! Typical tourists.
Piling into Jeeps for bumpy rides through all of the rich and poor districts of Uttar Pradesh. The financial diversity in India was astonishing.
Lemon tea and desperate, unsuccessful attempts by Indian salesman to ship us a brand new Kashmir carpet home!
Scouring through the markets, and finding some really interesting psychology books among the mix.
Hilarious venture into a "Westernised" bar.

Photos:

On the left, the hottest day I have ever been through (44°C) , so much so that our temple tour was cancelled midway through!

With my brother again, this time discovering the Taj Mahal! An incredible destination.

Nanithal, a vibrant Indian market town.

More pictures and experiences to be shared soon!

You have been reading up on the beginnings of a student culture junkie. If you want to check up on how I'm doing today, just take a look at my
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Thanks for reading!

Making Waves in the Media: Kickstarting a Documentary Series

In order to become a travel journalist, I figured being an active part of the media was essential, and this is a big part of the reason why I'm taking it at AS Level.

As part of my course I created the opening two minutes of ScandalWire: Big Brother Nation, the pilot episode of a scandal documentary series (a more vibrant, visually pleasing version of Dispatches, if you will), with this episode focussing on the epidemic of mass surveillance sweeping across the United Kingdom at an alarming rate.

The target audience is 15-35, and the typical viewer is an intelligent social leader who is an active part of society and media, and cares deeply about their sense of freedom and liberty.

Take a look at some of the A5 promotional adverts to be released in The Guardian Guide in the order they are shown here, one every weekly episode. Bear in mind that here, they are smaller than they would be in the publication







Any feedback in the comments section would be greatly appreciated.

Here is the most important part - the opening two minute sequence. It features a highly experimental yet ultimately successful Trafalgar Square time lapse sequence. Hope you enjoy it!

The Backpacking Adventure

I am eagerly anticipating the much-needed arrival of summertime. An end to the bleak,cold weather will also signify an end to the AS Level Exams, and I have ensured that all of the hard work and adaptation to change will be subject to a sizeable paying off come the 23rd July.

Do I trust the British weather throughout the coveted, fickle British 'sunny-season' these summer months.
No. No way.
I've taken things into my own hands.

This summer, my best friend James and I embark on a two man backpacking mission, with our Saturday jobs having already produced the fruits of two one-way flights from London Gatwick to Zagreb, Croatia and two return journeys from Mykonos, Greece to London Luton two and a half weeks later. Though perhaps shy of a full on, gap year adventure of a lifetime, this is set to be one of the defining moments of our lives so far.

How are we getting about inbetween? Here, there, and everywhere, thanks to the wonders of an Interrail pass that will grant us exclusive free access to every train in Europe.

Eager Beaver - Attempting to book my pass so far in advance that the  Interrail site wouldn't allow it. So much for saving up for it!

I am literally bating my breath for planned excursions to the renowned Hobo Bear Hostel on the first night in Zagreb, through to sea-swimming, beach bumming and and island hopping in Greece, through to sampling the apparently impressive nightclub scene in Serbia.

http://belgradeatnight.com/clubs/

Above is a small sample of our plans. We are banking on a lenient age identification process throughout Eastern Europe! There are hopes to sightsee, take night trains, have a crack at jetskiing and other watersports , go camping, and check out Tomorrowland and Off  festivals in Poland and Belgium. Any oppurtunity that comes our way for activity, we're taking it. Such oppurtunities are begging to be grabbed onto, and we are quite prepared to do so!

 Hostelbookers has shone light on remarkably cheap accommodation. Also I may have somewhere set up to stay with a family in Romania for free, which is a godsend. A fine opportunity to return to my rude introduction to alcohol with the fabled local brew, plum soika, along with some of the best food I have ever tasted, upon my first excursion to Romania.

Having someone as ill-advised and adventurous as myself there will be truly excellent. I've thought about this trip a ridiculous amount, and personally can't wait for the (mis)adventures to begin!

James and I will be sure to keep you updated on the progress of an adventure certain to reach epic proportions.

The Great Escape

It may seem farfetched, ridiculous even.
But I have a masterplan which I am completely prepared to make a reality.

So here I am, in the current, present bubble that is reality. Sitting here, comfortable in bed, yet somehow still bitterly cold from the increasingly ridiculous entity that is British weather.


A more grounded part of me loves my life here in England. I've grown up in a familiar and supportive family that happily provide me everything a person could ask for to live comfortably. I also have some fantastic characters for friends, and thoroughly enjoy embarking on the inconceivable kind of misadventures with them that you do when you're an A Level student sparring with a formidable workload.

This book captures everything that I aspire to be.

Yet somehow, my life has steadily become more and more focused on the beautiful and buzzing universe that exists outside the UK. Less interested in participating in the expected lifelong grind to get a high paying job, spend my whole life working at something I'm not entirely sure I enjoy. All in an industrialized, upper class, and restricted nation. Here, opportunities for adventure and cultural enlightenment are present, but already seeming minimal. Seventeen years here, chipping and grinding away at the school system as a product of society seem quite enough. Call me foolish and misguided, but I'm ready to move on.

I first caught the travel bug at a very early age, when my parents decided to return to Asia (after having lived and travelled there for five years) with my brother and I to visit Vietnam. I was 11 years old and remember vividly every moment of that trip, because it was such a sensory adventure, and so different to anything I had ever experienced before. Soaking in the bustling sense of vibrancy in Saigon made life itself seem so much more engaging and purposeful.

Not to boast, but I was a fortunate child. In later years, family holidays spanned Thailand, India, Morocco, Italy, Spain, Greece, Romania and the USA. I felt like the world was at my feet the whole time we were away.

More recently, I had the oppurtunity last summer to fulfill a driving ambition of doing charity work abroad by being part of a five-man school expedition to Tanzania in order to teach at a school and work at a disabled crafts workshop called Neema Crafts. Travelling so far without my family into such an unknown world was a phenomenal experience, and one during which my masterplan was created. I loved the experience of working with people in a fresh new setting so much that I decided that this was definately what I wanted to do as a job.

I will never forget the rabble of Saigon motorbikes that whole families occasionally piled onto, obeying no  discernible laws of the road. Accidents galore. Being among it is as terrifying as it is a thrill ride.

Team Tanzania at Mikumi National Park. Honestly such an incredible day!

I plan to complete my A Levels, take a journalism course at university and usher my way into work experience at a forward thinking media company, after which I hope to become a travel journalist.

As I said.

It may seem farfetched, ridiculous even.
But I have a masterplan which I am completely prepared to make a reality.