Hi All,

Well I bet you all didn’t think you would get a blog from sunny Scotland so soon eh?!! It turned out to be a hectic few days at home but we loved it.

I’ll start at the beginning, after I finished the last blog in Nairobi airport I called Emma and the conversation went a bit like this…Me - “Hi, how are you?”, Emma “Good, how about you?” , Me “ Can I ask you a favur?” Emma “yeah”, Me “Can Craig and Istay with you tomorrow night?”, Emma “WWWHHHAAAAAT???!!” haha it was so funny after explaining we were coming hoem for Chloe’s birthday and to keep it quiet we boarded for London. We managed to swap seats with what must have been the only two other people on the flight who had not booked their seats online. I had a bit of a dodgy stomach on the plane, I think a mixture of nerves, excitement and just too much African food, if you can call it that lol!

We spent most of the time in the Heathrow in the toilet and it turned out that our ticket was not business class as we asked at customer services and thank God we did as that would have been embarrassing trying to get into the lounge lol, Craig was not impressed though that they don’t even have a shower in terminal 5!! We had Irn Bru and a packet of salt and vinegar squares and they were amazing! We got to Edinburgh and literally almost kissed the ground when we landed and walked onto the tarmac lol, you have no idea how much you miss home, it was so nice just to know you were safe and in a familiar place. They have all new pictures up in the airport and quotes about Scotland and Craig and I were just walking along looking at them all. I thought I saw Mims at baggage claim and had to hide behind the trolley lol! We picked up our hire car and we got an upgrade to a nice new turquoise Peugeot 206. We called Craig’s sister Kelly from the car and told her we were 5 minutes away and to get the kettle on, she was at her friends house so we went there and told her to come outside and she wouldn’t as she didn’t believe we were there, she told raig she would batter him if he was not there lol! She came out and we all had a wee reunion and then went down to Sainsbury’s to surprise Craig’s mum. Heather was serving on the till and Craig walked up in front of us hiding behind a board game and then put it down and his mum looked at him 3 times ( at this point it looked like she saw him but didn’t look excited lol, I hoped my family would be more excited haha) and then she said something to the person she was serving and Craig said “Is that right Mum?” and only then did she notice who it was and was all excited, of curse there was some old bag in the queue moaning, welcome home lol! We had to dash as had loads to do today so we had MacDonald’s and then I drove over to Dunfermline to Primark as I had one pair of rousers and nothing that even matched at all. I also had to find a dress and shoes for Chloe’s party as I had stupidly sent everything home and obviously couldn’t got to my Dad’s for it. I could not find a dress anywhere and felt a bit bad dragging Kelly and Craig round about a million shops! I eventually found my favourite shop New Look and was spoilt for choice and found a dress but no luck on the shoe front! I got Chloe’s presents and then we made our way home to Kelly’s where we met Jess, her new dog, a 2 year old border collie, so cute!! We got changed into our new warm clothes and met Emma and Huntly at Guru’s for tea, first stop in the planned meal list lol! It was so nice to see them again and great t eat some god Indian food mmmm! After we went back to the flat which is lovely and we are glad as we are hopefully going to be staying there few months when we get home. They kindly gave us their bed which was well appreciated and we had a great nights sleep.

The next day we were up early as I had the doctors as I had a lump in the croo of my elbow since I started taking my malaria medicine, it does say in the side effects that you may get this though and there was a girl at the placement that had some too so I was a bit less worried by then and it had gone down loads now too. I also meant to say in the last blog that a guy was murdered, beaten to death in the garden of our apartment at our placement a few days before we got there but I didn’t want to mention that at the time as certain people at home may have freaked lol!! Scary though! After the docs we went to Matalan and got ballons for Chloe’s birthday, they have a great party shop there!! Then I had my eyebrows waxed and walked about with a red face all day lol! Next we went to Sainsbury’s and watched Heather sit in a bath of cold baked beans which was hilarious, check the photos of her face. Craig and I also had a cooked breakfast, finally lol! Next was to Craigleith to get shoes which I managed in my ever faithful New Look again. Then it was back to the flat to try and sort some of our mess out. Someone called Craig and we thought they asked where I was but we couldn’t call the number back and were panicking that someone had seen us home but turned out it was Emma from work lol!! I went and had my hair coloured and cut in Dalry in a place I thought nobody would see and then picked Emma up from work and went home. I called my sister to wish her a happy birthday and it was hilarious full of, I wish you could be here’s and me asking if my presents had arrived yet and then speaking to my Dad about what a laugh it should be and how we wish we could make it etc lol all the time knowing I would see them in 2 hours, so exciting!! I got ready and we got a cab, I was s nervous, we were so worried about how we would get in etc, I was worried someone would tell her before we got there if they saw us or something. I saw her as soon as we walked in though and I just walked right up to her and I could here people shouting and screaming “Oh my God” and I just tapped her on the shoulder and she turned round and looked so shocked and lunged at me and then my Dad as well ws so shocked, everyone was screaming and crying and hugging and it was so nice, my sister was actually hysterical and greeting on the floor, dad said it looked like she had changed religion and was praying to Mecca lol!! It was such a nice reception, I don’t know why I was ever worried about going. Kirsty was so shocked too, everyone was Andy and all the rest of the family too lol! We had a good night, it was great fun and great to see all our family and friends together. After we went up town with Dad and got refused as we were too drunk lol!! Chloe and her pals were already there but we went to the chippie and then we all went back to dad’s for a drink and to bed at about 5am.

Next day we woke up and Dad’s house looked like a doss house with bodies sleeping everywhere lol! Huntly kindly came and picked us up and we just watched TV and then Huntky made us the famous paprika pork dish which was lovely and then we all had a drink and played the wii, it was great, I must be the last person on the planet to have tried the wii lol!

Next day we got up and picked up Chloe and went down to my Gran’s and had a chat with Aunty Betty as well before she went home. We had lunch and I had two bowls of the long awaited Granma’s soup, it was just as amazing as I had imagined it would be the last 9 months lol! We had a lovely day catching up and more soup for dinner lol and then Craig and I stayed over while Dad came and got Chloe. Dad was so funny, I told him I knew I was coming home since mid December and he kept saying “so you have known since this time… and this time and this time” lol! It was great to get the electric blanket on at my Gran’s as by this time I had a horrible cold due to change in climate.

On Monday we called Pop and told him we were in Kenya still and then 20 minutes later were at his front door, he was so happy to see us, it was so cute, it was sad in his house for the first time without Vinnie there though. Craig’s Aunty Audrey was there too and we had a nice chat and some cakes. Next we went to our storage unit to try and find some of ourr warm clothes, namely a jacket as we were freezing lol! We got some boxes to take to the flat and then had a Javits, I had spag bol and Craig had a haggis supper lol, another meal to strike off lol! W ewent back to the flat and tried to tidy a bit and then headed to Craig’s mum’s for dinner, stovies, another meal down lol! I don’t think my stomach can handle this stuff anymore as I felt mega ill again after it. Next it was up t Gary’s and we just pressed the buzzer and went “Its me” and luckily we are not robbers or something as they just let us in and we walked right into the living room and Alan was sitting on the couch and was a tad surprised when he saw us, gary was in his room under his Shrek duvet lol and was also a tad surprised to have us waltz into his bedroom lol!! We stayed a wee while and then just went home to thee flat and watched Gran Torino which was really good.

Next day we were up early again and Craig went to his Mum’s to wait on the army doctor so he could have his medical and I went and picked up Kirsty and we soted out some of my stuff at my Dad’s and took some to the flat and some to the storage unit. I cant wait till I have my own house where I can get all my new stuff out and in its place so exciting, I love all my new souvenirs and clothes and shoes of course lol! We had a Greggs and picked up Chloe from school and Craig and then we all went to the carvery at Ratho, £3.50 is amazing and you get more meat than the one in Corstorphine!! After we had a look at the Dalmahoy after thinking it may make a nice wedding venue but all the nice old buildings I remembered don’t seem to be there anymore so that idea is kind of out the window! Then we were back to Dunfermline as we still needed more warm clothes. We went to Debenhams to have a look at prom dresses and ended up having a wee try on of wedding gear which was fun even if it was just Debenhams, roll on the fancy dress shops lol!! Think Craig was a bit surprised about how much things will cost lol! We went home and had a wander round the Gyle an I got a phone that actually works and £10 credit for £3, not bad eh?!! After we went down to Andy’s and had dinner with him and Lorna (another meal lol) which was lovely and we watched Uncle Phil in his part as an extra in The Dutchess with Keira Knightly!! We also found out Phil and Tracey are pregnant…Congratulations, the nearest to a cousin I have ever had lol!!

On Wednesday we had a long awaited couch day and watched Righteous Kill with Bob and Al which I have been waiting to watch since Lana told me about 3 years ago that they were making it, nobody in the southern hemisphere seems to have heard of it but it was well worth the wait! At night we went to Dad’s and Dad, Chloe, Craig, Kirsty and I went to Guru’s which was amazing as usual. Next we were off to see Marley and Me (again for me), I thought it would be on dvd at home by now, I don’t know how the film releases work! Dad had not been to the cinema in so long that an hour before it started he was worried we would miss it, not knowing that it doesn’t start till about 30 minutes after it says it will lol! There were a few tears at the end of the film, I managed to keep it together a bit better than last time though lol! It was a really nice night.

On Thursday we were up early and down to Pop’s to take him to the post office to sign a form and then down to Earlston to see Grandad. We took him to Asda in Galashiels for his shopping and then I got us lost on the way back which was pretty good as it resulted in us going along the bumpy road I liked when I was small lol! Grandad treated us to lunch at Rhymers where I had as always steak pie (another planned meal) and then we took Grandad home and went back to the flat. Next we went to Dawn’s for dinner, spag bol by Dave which was great and another meal we had planned on having lol! Emma and Huntly went home and we stayed and had a few drinks and then stayed over in Dawn’s new guest room/boudoir lol! I love how the minute Emma moves out she changes the whole room lol!

Next morning it was up early and to Dad’s and then to take the car back and get a lit back to the flat. We just had a lazy day of trying to tidy our stuff which was impossible, we felt really bad with our stuff all over the place the whole time. I also sorted some more of the photos, I couldn’t believe how quick the internet was lol!! Craig went up to Gary’s and then later I made my way to meet Kirsty and Chloe to go to Laura’s. It felt funny getting the bus after all this time, £1.20!!!I didn’t know what roads were open or not so ended up trekking a bit of the way but it was nice to walk through the city centre, I love Edinurgh! We got to Laura’s and had a good few drinks while we got ready and had a dance around the living room which was great, just like old times. We went out and met Dad but a certain just turned 18 year old was the one not allowed in this time lol!

On Saturday I got up and went with Chloe, Emma and Huntly to meet Natalie for her birthday lunch at Bar Napoli, it was nice, £5.20 for a 3 course Italian meal! After we went to the new Asda at Leith which was fun lol, I love Asda! When we got home Huntly took Emma and I to Julie’s as it was her turn to host ladies night with all the family and me of course lol! Here we learnt that Julie is pregnant - congratulations!! Somehow I managed to drink again and before you knew it, it was like old times again with Emma and I racing home in a cab to get changed to go to Cav lol, some things will never change! It was a good night, we were hammered lol and I got to see Cav’s refurbishment, love the dance floor but not loving how it is full of 17 or 50 year olds and nobody in between, especially when some guy who knew me from Forries or something thought I was 26, wont be back there in a hurry - cheeky git!

Next day I woke up and wondered how on earth I was not dead or at least chucking up after all the shots etc, with any luck it’s the end of my awful hang over days! In the afternoon we got the bus to Craig’s mum’s at it was Mother’s day and gave her the Alcatraz stuff we had bought her, better late than never and I played with Jess with a stick it was great fun! Dad came and got us and Chloe drove us to Granma’s and we are still alive so she must be good!! We had soup and of course I had 2 bowls to stock up lol and some nice meat and cake. We watched some TV and then Craig and I stayed over again.

On Monday we got up and Andrew gave us a lift to Corstorphine and we said our goodbyes although not as sad as last time but still sad to have to say them all over again. We picked up my prescription for altitude sickness pills for the Inca Trail that I had to fight the doctor for as I would rather have them than not and then we went to Forries to Chloe’s geography class to see my old teacher Rhona and show the advanced higher class our video from the placement in Kenya which was cool and nice to catch up. After we walked to Gyle and sorted out some bank problems where as usual it was not as straight forward as it seemed so that ended up taking ages. We had lunch, changed some money and got some stuff to cook dinner for Emma and Huntly. We went back to the flat and sorted the last of our stuff and made tea and then we sid our goodbyes and Dad came to get us. Then it was along to Kirsty’s to say bye to her and Diane and back to Dad’s to sort out the last of our things. We made beds up on the floor this time which was a lot comfier and of course we had ‘The Ellen White’ lol!

Next day it was up at 5am and ready to go the airport which we were not looking forward to as we already had the pre-flight nerves as usual. We said goodbye again to Dad and Chloe and boarded the plane to New York. It was quite a nice flight just a little turbulence and a bit of a bumpy landing (everyone clapped though, I’ve been waiting on people to clap for ages lol) and then we had to do Immigration etc again. We could see all the skyline etc and it was so exciting and reminded me of 9 months ago when Chloe, Craig and I landed and first saw the skyline and were all shrieking in the back of the cab with excitement, Im so glad we go back there on the way home! We spoke to someone at Continental and we managed to change our flights home to a couple of weeks earlier, we will now be home 21st May which works out better for us as far as saving money goes. The travel agent was charging a fortune but they were not too bad. We took off for Lima after sitting in an actual queue on the runway, its such a busy airport. I hate take off at the best of times but this was horrible as he turned about 10 times, they must have lack of space or something but it was not great especially when the wheels coming up made a horrible noise lol! I managed to sleep some of the flight and you could see the ground a lot of the way, we could see the beaches of Florida and coming from Edinburgh we saw all the snowy mountains of Canada it was nice! The flights were not that bad and it didn’t feel as long as it was -19 hours so that was pretty good! We landed nicely in Lima and got our bags and got a taxi to our hotel. The taxi driver kept pointing out all the sights, ie. Bad neighbourhoods, corrupt cops, cocaine dealers and some nicer things too lol, he even knew about bagpipes and did a fake play of them which was funny. We got to the hotel about 11pm which was really nice and had cable TV except the bathroom was open plan so we were glad we have been together a while as toilet noises were definitely heard lol!

So we are now in Lima and really like it, I will leave telling you about here till next time as this is a bit of a long one!

Hope you are all well at home, it was lovely seeing you all. Sorry we didn’t manage to catch up with everyone properly but as you can see we were pretty busy lol!

Lots of Love

Eva and Craig xxx