So after a whirlwind 6 months, I am back in the UK!!!  The last month in Zambia was very busy and a lot of firsts for me.  We finished at the clinics, and one of the main things that came up was that a lot of attention was needed on neonatal care.  Luckily, that’s my speciality!  So, I planned a week of training around caring for newborn infants as well as resuscitation and stabilisation of sick infants. 

This was the first time I had ever planned more than one training session, so planning a whole week was a great experience for me.  I had nurses from the children’s hospital to help me teach, and it all went really well.  There were some hiccups, but mostly because of being in Zambia.  I had to accept they were never going to be on British Times!  Overall, it was a great week, and I was so proud of myself!  Only a few years ago I would have had a panic attack if someone had asked me just to do a 15 minute presentation and here I was running and teaching a whole week!

Following the teaching week, I went for a week to Zanzibar.  I had decided to treat myself to a week away at the end of the 6 months and I was definitely ready for this.  I was desperate to get to a beach and a pool, somewhere I could relax and not have to do anything!!  It was perfect!  I had a very relaxing week, reading, writing my book and journal, as well as doing some touristy things!  I went to the main town,  did some sightseeing,  shopping and went to an island where they used to keep the slaves.   On the island there were so many giant turtles, it was amazing.  I have never seen giant turtles in real life I was amazed by them.  On another day I went swimming with turtles (normal sized!), which I didn’t even realise you could do.  Such a great experience,  even though one did bite me instead of getting the food.  So overall, was a great break away.

Leaving Zambia was a range of emotions that I’m still dealing with now,  but it always takes a bit of time to get back into a different way of life.  I’m back in the UK, already full of a cold and ready for whatever adventure may be next.