Chere petite fille,
J'admire beaucoup ma Shona voyageuse si courageuse. J'ai aussi trouve que tu as bien su reagir a la mort de ta cousine. Tu es repartie avec determination et je te souhaite encore plus de belles decouvertes et de rencontres avec plein de gens interessants. Je t'aime de tout mon vieux coeur et je t'embrasse tendrement.
Ta meme francaise.

Just read your last entry about Mexico. it was so very vivid and colourful I could almost believe i was there. But it had also struck me that you have visited two countries on the eve of huge political changes, both at different sides of the political spectrum. Let's hope both find a middle ground for the future, Cuba keeping the best of Castro's legacy whilst becoming hopefully freer and more democratic. I truly hope that happens. As for Mexico-let's just hope the demonstrations are effective and that there isn't too much violence from the state. But I'm glad you've visted at this time and also found out so much about the peoples and their history and cultures.
Keep safe and happy in your travels. All my love. mum

HI GIRLS.
Its me old nik now, 1st of all thanks 4 my b.day card & summers i need to look up wat my 1 means as haven't been studing i think it was spanish 4 quite some time.
U 2 look really well & tanned off lucky girlies, Shona u looked very nice with the braids need to get them done again be 4 u come back.
Saw Gary the other day he said that he just came back from mexico.
As u must know went 2 the boat party 4 my b.day it was good but i didnt get drunk booorin me as i wasnt well at all that day, been makin up 4 it though.
I got my nipple pierced a month ago, yesterday got my belly button repeirced i am gettin abit freaky in my old age.
My house phone wil be on again soon so hopefully might be able 2 exchange a few calls.
You lot look like u r havin the best time & u deserve it.
Shona i hope u r feelin better about ur loss i am really sorry.

love u guys 4 ever speak soon.
x x x x x x luv 4rm me x x x x x x x x x

Dear.Shona@Nikki.
We can see your haveing a great tpme seeing all the woundefull sights it must be lovely seeing them it is some think you will never forget.
Neil@jill are home and Hannah they had a lovely time we are fine it has been raining here last night and this moring we hope to go away soon some where here and later abroad in January have seen your photoes they are lovely what is the weather like there is it hot now.
Have a lovely time love to you both.
Stella@Lionel.

Hi Shona & Nikki

Chloe gave me the link, I'm sure she'll post one soon x

I looked at all your entries and photos, Wow! all the beautiful & fascinating places you've both experienced... you're both soooo lucky!!! I'm sure you know. The entries made me giggle and smile, I got a good idea what an adventure it must be. :o. :ol :o)

Meanwhile, I'm in bloody Dalston :o( but I was lucky enough to get away to Italy for month, and stayed with my nonna and the rest of the family (including both mum's dogs), it was okay but alot of family bickering and stress. Had it's up's though, I went to Portofino - very charming and cute, if you ever go to Italy it's a must!! very romantic. My nan lives 10 minutes way from Vinci, Leonardo's birthtown, so that was an interesting to visit.

Anyway, keep up with your writting and pics, I'm so interested in what you both get up to next!?! I finished my access course :o) I got accepted for City University to do adult nursing - diploma (it's slavery for 3 yrs) and then I want to get my Midwifery Degree. I doubt I will be getting out of Hackney in a hurry ai?
you lucky girls you, I'm sure all us girls with kiddies would have probably joined you's, it's not fair!

Please take care girls xXx

Laela

P.S ITALY won the World Cup I was sooo HaPPy!! I was thinking about you Shona xXx

Hey Girls,
I am so so jealous, i wish i was with you both its sounds like your having such an amazing time and drinking lots of rum. Hope you had a nice birthday pona and so sorry to hear about ali x Went out for niks birthday on sat it was a good night we went on a boat party on the river thames really missed you both not been there . Im going to Dominican Republic on the 31st with scott wonder where you will be .x
Take care . Dawn x

Hi Shona. So glad you are back to writing your journal entries, they make such great reading. I was so sorry to hear about your cousin's death, and very moved by the way you created your own ceremony for her. I am sure you did the right thing by continuing with your trip. I love reading about you being in so many places that I have really enjoyed in the past: San Christobal, Pellenque, and now Frida Khalo's place in Mexico City! It's like revisiting them all over again! I had also been wondering if you would encounter some of the demonstrations over the elections, keep us posted on that, it's fascinating. Really looking forward to seeing you whenever you make it up to California.

So good you now feel strong enough to write your journal again, Shona. The news about Alison has left all of us in her family devastated but it was very moving to read your account of your own little service for her. We all were thinking of her at the same time across the world. We will not forget her and lets hope she is finally at peace.
I loved hearing about Mexico, the Mayan ruins and especially Mexico City. Our travels in Norway and Switzerland have also taken us through landscapes of staggering beauty, but not quite the same level of excitement...unless you count struggling up steep mountains trying to catch my breath.___ Hannah is still cycling in Ireland, hopping its not too wet as shes camping. We are all back on Weds 23rd to the old UK so will write again then...still awaiting the photos.. Love to Marcella and Nikki.

Hey Shones n Nikki,

Hope all is well with u both...was thinkin about u in my drunken state with Jadeen & Shermaine last night (who both say hello n come back u silly cows!! Hehehe) Na seriously my B-day wasn't the same either so I know what Niks saying...an we didn't get to do ur B-day either Shones...how weird (did u get my b-day email...was early I think!!)

Anyways just want u to know miss u loads....hurry up n come back Shones I need an email buddy, well at least I have Myspace.Lol

LOVE U!!!! XxXxXx

P.S Where are u now????

Hi girls finally got on 2 this part how u doin?
Miss u lot like mad its gonna be a lonely b.day without u 2,
It sounds like u r havin the most fun i wish i was with u.
I am gettin old can't believe gonna be 25 s*** need to grow up.
Summer is gonna be 3 in a few weeks can u believe it seems like she has been here 4 ever, she has been askin about the pair of u
askin when u r comin back.
I am still single & lovin it.
Fill me in on the sordid details
got 2 go my mum is crying saying i am takin 2 long as she wants to drop me home.

Take care love u loads be safe & stay in touch
BYE X X X X X X X X XX X X X X X X X X X X X XX

MISS U NEED U 2 COME BACK X

Dear.SHONA AND Nikki.
Hope you are both well and still having a good time it is raining here and not so hot now.
Where are you going next it must be a lot of fun seeing how peaple live and meeting difrent peaple have fun and be carfull at the same time .
love to you both.
Stella and Lionel.

Dear.Shona@Nikki.
Hope you aare both well and were are you going next still haveing a lovely time email us if you have time to.
Best wishes.
Stella@Lionel@Rose.