Livin' la vida loca

[Chaos Butterfly]

Ok so there are a number of reasons why I called myself Chaos Butterfly (including the fact that Dark Angel was taken) but mostly it was the fact that I tend to make things happen and well lots of stuff happens to me sometimes really bad but occasionally good too.

Well I've had a bit of a stressful week as about this time of year is the anniversary of my best'friend's and my Dad's death on Feb 14th. and I've been working alot and its been really busy. And I was really starting to feel rather fragile but then I got some news while good just sent me off the charts on the stress meter so i'm just trying to chill out a bit as I don't like where I'm headed, I've been through the whole depression cycle a few years ago and don't need to revisit it again.

And the point of this thread?

Well you know how I've been talking about coming to the States with my friend and doing an American Contiki this year well that is virtually organised and we were going to go in and book in a couple of weeks.

I went to a travel expo last weekend to see if i could pick up any useful info. i got an e-mail on Wednesday and I figurd it was one of those Thankyou for visiting our stand e-mails and it was but at this particular stand I had entered a competition and I WON!

It doesn't include airfares and I still have to pay a local tour fee of US$500 but the rest of the cost is paid for valued at over $1000.

So what did I win?

A 3 week Wildlife Discovery camping tour of Africa from Victoria Falls thru Botswana and Namibia to Capetown.

Wildlife Discoveror

Crazy!!

So I'm stressing about it a bit, I think I want to do it as I would probably never do it if I hadn't won it. But it means more money, I can get a round the world ticket instead of the ticket I was going to get for an extra $700. Which means I would spend 3 weeks camping in Africa then fly to Hawaii and meet my friend and then NYC to start the Contiki.

I'm going to have to grovel to my Boss for a few extra weeks leave without pay, i'm going to try get the bank to loan me money.

aargh! [img]eek.gif[/img]

The scary bit is the whole being in Zimbabwe or South Africa by myself at the beginning and end of the tour as I'm not sure its that safe. I'm asking a few of my South African workmates for advice.

The other scary bit is the fact that the word 'Martina' and the word 'tent' don't often go together in a sentence.

The whole seeing the animals is such a me thing tho'.

So basically I'm just a bit high on the self- doubt and stress at the moment and need a bit of support/advice [img]confused.gif[/img]

Crazy and chaotic indeed!

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ February 21, 2004 02:29 AM: Message edited by: Chaos Butterfly ]</font>

[Chaos Butterfly]

Oh yeah and don't get me wrong I do think its a good thing I admit I may be making it sound like a bad thing it just requires lots of decisions,and logistics and borrowing more money. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[RichC]

I say go for it! But then again I'm not the one who has to pay back the money. [img]smile.gif[/img]

It sounds like it could be fun and an adventure (and I'm mega jealous). I seriously say go for it.

But that's me.

[dwim]

Take it, you only live once.

Speaking la vida loca, just last weekend, I drove four hours to Pittsburgh just for a Hank Williams III concert. Worth the drive and every penny of it and here I am broke.

Yep, ya only live once.

[5Cats]

I always wonder about any 'contest' that makes you pay money when you 'win'. Just make sure you're not getting ripped off, k? Ask local travel people about the company you've won with, make sure they're legitimate. Ask about the real value of what you've won, and how much airfair and all will come to. There are many "scams" out there that are perfectly legal, just underhanded and sneaky...
Other than that... have a great time!!!!

[Chaos Butterfly]

Way I see it they don't gain anything in the monetary sense because you personally arrange your flights and all that but they gain the publicity when you come back (if you haven't been eaten by a lion) and tell everyone about it. Am ringing up to ask Q's this week but they've been around for about 10 years apparently. Would really only take it because if I get a Round the World Ticket I can continue on to Hawaii and the States and a little bit of Canada as planned originally. But thanks for the concern [img]smile.gif[/img]

[5Cats]

I took a little peek at their site and it looks ok. If they just expect you to get there on your own, that's a good sign! Like you say, they don't make extra $$ off that, then chances are it's legitimate.

The "Free Trip To Florida" scam: (not really a scam, but a hard-sell trick)
You "win a free trip to florida" (or some such place)
All you have to do is:
&gt;&gt; Stay at a certain hotel at a fixed rate
&gt;&gt; Take one of several "side trips" while there
&gt;&gt; Reserve now for a certain time window

The hotel is usually at a high rate, you have to pay for the 'side trip' and pay a lot up front. The air-fare is usually not that much, so the company breaks even giving it away. Also, they'll pester you for "upgrades" and "bonus trips" and such. In the end, you can plan your own trip, pay for it all and it'll cost about the same as the "free" one.

Just FYi! I don't think this is along those lines...

[dwim]

Hey chaos, if you ever come to the states make sure you hit chicago. it's nice american town. then, go for drive on i-70, then take i 79 north, then hit i-279 heading east, you should be going through a tunnel (make sure it's during the day) when you get out of that tunnel Pittsburgh will jump out at you... it's really fun. Really.

[RichC]

Hey CB, when are you going to be in NYC? I can take a short 40 minute train ride to there and we could meet up if you wanted to.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ February 24, 2004 01:13 AM: Message edited by: RichC ]</font>

[Chaos Butterfly]

Well I know we're definitely passing thru Chicago for 2 nights on the Contiki don't know about driving anywhere tho' and can't actually remember where we go after that. If I like it I can always come back as I have friends in Chicago so free accomodation. [img]wink.gif[/img] As soon as I've confirmed exactly when and where I'm going I'll post a list.

Rich that'd be cool bro' I'm not sure if I'll have a cellphone or not, just another of those annoying details to organise why does America have to use a totally different signal so my cell is useless over there. At this stage its the 7th 8th and 9th of September as the first Contiki starts on the 10th from there.

I finally made a few phonecalls today and found out a little bit more, sounds totally legit and am getting a tour dossier sent to me. I am getting lots of good info on Capetown from my South African workmates so feel better about it even on my own. Tour person told me I would have made friends by then but when she mentioned I could probably end up staying at the same backpackers, in my mind my personality came out as I thought 'After 3 weeks camping and then preparing for a totally different kind of trip I am so NOT staying at the backpackers' [img]graemlins/whatever.gif[/img] Especially when Sue has told me how wonderful The Waterfront is.