Pre-departure interview: Nick Sanders
Spanish language school and Guatemala houses to homes project, followed by 2 weeks of independent travel.
 Nick's experience in Guatemala
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In February 2008 Nick will head out to Guatemala where he is taking Spanish language classes for a month in preparation for 4 weeks volunteering on our Houses to Homes construction project.
December 2007
What was your motivation to take a break and go travelling?
I've been on my break since January 2006 so I've been on it for a while now! I'm just eeking it out for as long as possible. I was working for myself and I was absolutely sick of it. We were running a shop, which I really enjoyed up until about five years ago. There was a lad in his early twenties who used to work with us and he was doing a tour of the world and sending us post cards and I was getting dead jealous. I also had a friend who went down with real major depression I was thinking, I am the one who can't get up in the morning and I'm the one getting sick of it (work) whereas he has a job he quite likes and has a lot going for him. I got a bit scared that if I didn't do something I might go like him. He's totally recovered fortunately and he has been a huge support.
It took a while to bite the bullet and when I did I wanted to start having a look round for something to do. I saw the tsunami stuff and realised that was a way to do it. I wanted to travel, just like my friend, but I didn't want to do it on my own, but then I've got no option. I saw the tsunami projects and realised there was whole load of building work needed to be done, but no one to do it and thought that's the way to do it, get involved in a project, so go out there work for a few months, and with a bit of luck you will hook up with somebody or you'll take to the locals and they'll show you the sights and show you round. So that's where it all kicked off, and then I was side tracked into a trip to America and I thought, well if I can't go there where they all speak English, I've got no chance of going someone where they speak Spanish! I did Camp America twice, I knew someone who had been and I thought it was for kids, but I applied and went for 8 weeks in June 2006 and June 2007 and loved it.
How long have you been thinking about going travelling?
Quite a long time, but it's been plucking up the bottle really! I saw a programme about grown up gappers and there was a guy teaching English and playing cricket in Africa and he was having a ball and so were the kids and I thought ‘why can't I do that?'. Well, it's because you're scared, thats why you think you can't do it, it's plucking up the bottle really.
Why did you choose to travel with Gap Year For Grown Ups?
I have a property that I rent out, and the guy that I rent it out to, his secretary told me about Gap Year For Grown Ups. I came home and looked it up, and thought blimey, there is a lot there, so I got the phone number and I spoke to someone who mentioned Africa, but I didn't want to go there, because they get a lot - everyone seems to go there and I wanted to go somewhere different if at all possible. Anyway, it was ten to five and I was told someone would ring me back, and I thought ‘yeah, yeah' but actually, at twenty past five, someone did call and told me about the projects in Guatemala. I thought about if for a couple of days and couldn't see any reason why not to go.
How did you feel once you had booked?
I was just excited. I got nervous when I got the welcome pack with the do's and the don'ts so I read that and put it away! I'll read that after Christmas and start planning. I got a book out of the library although I haven't read it yet!
What have you had to organise for your trip? (House, pets, car, finances, family).
Well I have to sort out my house and car. I'll just leave my mate my car so he'll drive that around and keep it turning over. I've got a couple of mates who are divorced so the last couple of times I've been away, one of them has moved in. I'm hoping the one who moved in last year will do again, because I need him to house sit for another four months as I'm going back to America in the summer again. I loved it so much and I met some people I will probably stay in touch with forever and it gave me a lot of confidence, I realised I'm not a useless failure. It sounds dramatic but it changed my life again and put it back on track. I wanted to jack it in (work) but needed something to do and there's nothing wrong with taking a breather.
What do your family and friends think of your plans?
My parents are quite old and my mum had a hip operation whilst I was away last time and I expected to come back to find her needing quite a bit of support. But, my dads coped fantastically, and he's 80 in January and my mum is 79 in January. At the time I figured that year was going to be it regarding travelling, so I needed to make the most of it, but when I came back I realised they're not on their last legs and I've got another chance! It's only a flight away.
Most of them are backing me. My mum and dad are a bit confused about it - I don't think they get it. My dad left school at 13 and worked all the way to being 77 and thinks I should be getting a job! He's quite happy about it but doesn't get it! But I don't want to get a job because I'm enjoying this too much. I used to have a shop and I still own the property so I can use the income from that which I can live off.
How do you think you will feel when it comes to saying your farewells to friends and family?
Well it will be ten weeks that I'm away for; I come back at the end of April. I'm going to travel for a couple of weeks after the programme. If I'm knackered then I'll just go to a nice hotel - I believe there are some nice ones very cheap. I want to swim in volcanic lakes and go to the jungle! I'd like to get a few more stamps on my passports too - Honduras, El Salvador, Belize.
What do you hope to achieve during your trip?
Well, you probably want to change the world! I'm not sure, I saw the tsunami stuff and everyone needs a roof over their head, and water. You can survive without most things, but you can't survive without those really so I just wanted to put a little bit back. It might sound egotistical and there is obviously a big carbon footprint, but I can't think of any other way to scratch that itch so I want to give something back to somebody, I know it is very minute in the scheme of things. It's not tiny for that person who gets a roof over their head though, so that's what I want to achieve. It's just difficult to know whether you are massaging your own ego, or if you are actually going to make a difference.
Nick heads off to Guatemala in February. Keep an eye on the website as we will be chatting to him before he departs and staying in touch during his adventure.
Nick's experience in Guatemala
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January 2008 - Last minute career break preparation....
How has the preparation for your trip been? What have you had to organise (house, pets)?
Ok. Had a bit to sort out. House - a mate is looking after that. Car - a mate will keep that ticking over. Insurance for car will be due, road tax due but I've left money for that to be sorted. Its the end of the tax year in April, so most of what I have to do for that is all done and left in my Dads hands.
I've got another trip lined up and I'm not as far on with that as expected. All my stuff is done but a bit of paperwork will come in while I am away. Thats OK as I will be back in time to deal with it. I have an embassy trip to sort out a visa but that has been sorted as far as I know for a date when I am home. There will be a flight to confirm while I am away, but I should be able to do that online. And my mate will keep an eye out too, to remind me!
How is the packing going?
Packing. What's that?! I've got a new case, which should be better than what I have used before. I always take too much, so this time I am determined to keep to a minimum.
I might go and buy some new socks and pants though! To be serious I am working on ten days of clothes plus a couple of nice tops and an old pair of jeans for working in. Its shoes I am not sure about. I decided on a pair of shoes, a pair of walking boots, a pair of trainers and an old pair to work in which I can dump. Then its just normal stuff, toothpaste, soap, malaria pills etc! Loads of sun tan cream, factor 25. I am going to need more than the usual one bottle.
Have you said your farewells yet to your friends and family?
I'm doing farewells over the next few days.
How are you feeling about the trip ahead of you?
Good. I just want to get off now really. I don't like the whole airport bit much. I know it sounds stupid but I am always a bit worried about that part. Trying to check in and not having the right ticket is my worst nightmare. Last year I went to Canada. The flight was hours late, it took ages to get through customs then get to Toronto. I had a room booked but got next to no sleep, no time, then to Toronto airport for an early onward flight, I was so tired I just gave the check in lady all the paperwork I had and let her take what she wanted.
It will be an early start Saturday morning for me so when I get to Madrid I will probably just do the same and look a total halfwit!
As for getting to Guatemala, I am really looking forward to it. I have a guidebook, but will just go where the host family say because I think they will know best. I am looking forward to meeting everyone else out there trying to learn Spanish and hope to tag along with some one for a bit of a laugh.
Have you had any last minute nerves?
My last minute nerves are really all about the airport. Once I am in the air it will be fine.
I am just looking forward to getting there. I was rubbish at languages at school, but living with a family and learning with them could be such a laugh I might just surprise myself. I'm not holding my breath about that one though. The other thing is I have had this thing about contributing to a project for the last three years, since the tsunami. This trip looks like a good compromise, the ‘you scratch my back, I will scratch yours' kind of thing.
Whatever happens it will be an experience and maybe some more good friends will be made as a result. I made some out of the Camp America thing and in many ways the confidence I got from doing that has spurred me on to do this.
How are you getting to the airport and who with?
I plan to go to London a couple of days before. Stay with a mate from America, and then go to Heathrow on the tube. I will go there on my own. I do have to check in at about 3.30am!
Are you happy with the service you have received from GYFGU's?
GYFGU have sorted me out so far OK.
Is there anything that you are worried about or least looking forward to?
Airport! Not exactly worried, I just don't like it all that much. Its not stressful is it. I don't know what it is really, its just one of those things. Time drags, its boring. Last year at Toronto I got talking to an old lady whose husband took part in D-Day. She didn't like airports much either. She was very interesting.
What are you looking forward to most?
Hard to say what I am looking forward to most. This is the most 'adventurous' thing I have ever tried and I am just 'buzzing' about it. I want to give learning Spanish a real go. If I can do it, it could be so usefull in the future. Even if it is just for the odd trip to Cadiz.
The trip has many possibilities and that is what is exciting, and to leave something behind that will make a positive difference to someone has to be a good thing.
Nick's experience in Guatemala
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