I'm covered in Mosquito bites.

Despite covering myself in DEET Mosquito repellent the cheeky little monsters have managed to climb into bed with me and feast on my toes. This has made walking quite uncomfortable.

Well last Saturday I truly experienced Indonesian queuing systems at there best. Waited with my mate Charlie from 11.30am for a show that started at 6.30pm, as we knew it was going to be very busy. The Balinese are so so proud of their heritage. At 5.30pm myself and Charlie stood near the stage for the 6.30pm show. The seats inside the arena were all full, it was out in the open so I stood at the parameter fence and had a really good view. Then as the bell chimed to indicate the start of the show it seemed like millions of locals, kids, parents and grandparents came from out of nowhere. I do not do know how this happened, but I got pushed out of the way, but it was all very polite. It did not feel like the morning crush on the London underground. Whilst being pushed away I was spoken to, laughed with (and possibly at). So it was good as I could hear was happening but not see, only issue is my Bahasa Indonesian is not that good yet. Best thing was it was a child's show, and the children were rolling around in hysterics at the jokes that I could just not understand. At this point decided to leave and go and eat some of the big pig cooked over the fire. Which was very tasty.

This week has been fairly quiet. Still in my home stay, but I have said more than the three words of last week. Think I may have managed two sentences in Indonesian this week. Language school is becoming a bit more enjoyable. I seem to be the clown of the class. The teacher was trying to describe an Indonesian metaphor about doing two things at one, (this involved an Indonesian phrase about diving and drinking water) I thought he was discussing drowning. We were at total cross purposes which kept everyone entertained. I had also never realised how important it was to know the difference between verbs, nouns and adjectives - I know you are meant to learn this at school but I never saw the point. However now I do! You never know I may return to the UK with better English skills than I left with.

I have spent a lot of this week on the beach watching kite surfers, and their six packs, whilst doing some study and homework. I know life is just so tough! I also get a bit of attention as I sit on the beach talking to myself in Indonesian and periodically someone kindly comes over and corrects what I am saying wrong, which sounds weird, but is very helpful. Especially when they generally seem to be quite good looking.

My weight loss in continuing but has slowed down which is good news. My speed going the two kilometres to school on push bike has halved which is good, and my bum does not hurt as much anymore, which means I must be getting used to it.

The night before last watched the football, as I feared that it could have been England's last game. Ended up with my friend Alanna watching in the Community Hall next to the Hindu Temple. Terema Kasih to the two young boys who showed us the way. We were in good company of about 6 local men, who thought it was quite unique having the English person turn up,as they are all supporters of England. I was like a mini celebrity.

Tonight going to a part on the beach as one of the volunteers has turned 30. Going to be a late one, then tomorrow I am going to try and venture to Ubud for the weekend. This is more complicated on a volunteer salary than it sounds, as it could involve up to three Bemo's. Anyhow I shall see how I go. So this weekend will practising my Indonesian on booking somewhere to stay for the night and bargaining prices on the transport and the shops. All good practice.

I hope everyone is well.

Sampai Nanti Rachel

I've arrived.......Bali is beautiful.

Well arrived in Bali after my long flight, got off the plane and started sweating like I had never sweated before upon leaving the airport building. 3 volunteers arrived from the UK at the same time Sarah, Peter and myself. We were met by one volunteer Jenny, from the Netherlands, who has been working in Bali for about a year. Also met by two members of staff from the VSO office Bambang and Ujang.

For the first week stayed in a homestay near the beach in Sanur, where lots of couples seem to go for their honeymoons, and I was lucky as I got a room to myself, whereas other volunteers had to share. That night we went out with some other volunteers Mikal and John and found out in total we were eight newly arrived volunteers 3 from the Philippines, 2 from Canada and 3 from the UK. One bloke was supposed to come from Africa but had cancelled at the last minute.

That night had a cold shower which was so nice, meeting my new roommates, a cockroach and a geko not quite as much fun. Needless to say I had a fan in my room and slept like a baby on the first night.

The next day met for lunch on the beach with the rest of the VSO staff (on a sunday) and a group of local Balinese people who have disabilities to play beach games and get to now each other. We all had the most fantastic time and I got eaten by mosquito's and got very, very wet. But I also dried out very quickly. Did not sleep as well this night as I was more aware of strange insect noise, which kept me awake.

On Monday spent first full day in the VSO office undergoing some of the training, we had to attend the VSO for all five days in the fist weeks. Training covers different topics such as what we need to to get our allowance and other such things. Somehow I got voted to be president of the group, goodness knows how I obviously just look organised. Also became apparent that the 3 lads from the Philippines are all coming to the Island of Flores, whereas everyone else is going to be moving to South Sulawesi, another Island. So when we move to placements I will be in Retung and Danny and Lau will be Bajawa, fours hours away and Charlie will be in Maumere 8 hours from where I am. I am also the first volunteer to arrive to undertake disability work, so it has become quite a big thing.

It has been confirmed that when I initially move to my placement I will be living with the nuns in the convent. My first week also involves a five day festival to celebrate my arrival. Possibly the best induction to a job I have ever had!!

After the first week in the home stay I then moved in with a host family, where I will live for the next 6 weeks, this is to assist me in learning the language. I also attend language school everyday except weekends and Wednesdays. I am finding the language quite hard to master, but I am hoping with loads of practice some people will know what I am saying on Flores.

At the moment in Bali their Arts festival is taking place which is a massive event. Loads of traditional costumes and music. I will try and get some photos onto the Internet, just difficult as viruses are a big issue in Indonesia. We have warning not to expect placements to be like Bali as Bali is not the rest of Indonesia, so we are also preparing ourselves for another transition in the next few weeks, where we are more likely to experience poverty, malnutrition of young children and very high rates of maternal mortality, which has devastating impacts on families and communities. However is nice that the whole introduction is step bu step as I do not think I could have coped with the massive change all at the same time.

Until later, Sampai nanti Rachel